Page 27 - BocaViewPoint - January '22

January 2022 Viewpointe, Page 27

Film Review: The Power Of The Dog

By Nils A. Shapiro Jane Campion, writer/director of the film, has already One day, at the end of
won the coveted Golden Lion award for Best Director at a cattle drive, the brothers
Of the more than 150 the Venice Film Festival. She adapted her screenplay from and their group of rowdy
films that I have reviewed a 1967 novel by Thomas Savage, a closeted gay man who hired hands ride into town
in this column over the past was inspired by his early years working on a Montana ranch. for a meal at the local
years, I cannot recall any And the New York Film Critics Circle gave its Best Actor, restaurant, which is owned
that have placed me in the Best Director and Best Supporting Actor awards to Benedict by a widow, Rose Gordon
dilemma that I now feel in the Cumberbatch, Jane Campion and Kodi Smit-McPhee (whom (Kirsten Dunst), whose
case of The Power of the Dog. you will meet later in this review). husband had committed
As regular readers of The problem is that, while you are certain to recognize this as suicide. She is assisted by
this column know, I have a powerful film, I question whether you will enjoy it. And that, her son, Peter (Kodi Smit-
always sought to bring to your after all, has always been one of my criteria in bringing these McPhee), a shy, gentle,
attention films that I believe deserve your attention – and which films to your attention. My wife, Linda, walked out of the room thin teenager who waits
I think you will enjoy – but, which for whatever reason, may two-thirds of the way through the picture, commenting, “I’ve on customers, but whom
have slipped in and out of theaters without much notice or were had it. I hate almost all of these people!” we first meet back in the
exceptional foreign films that failed to get wide distribution ... The Power of the Dog is set in Montana in the 1920s – kitchen cutting out paper flowers, placing them in glasses
many of them released years ago, but accessible now because of although it was actually filmed in New Zealand, Jane Campion’s to serve as vases to decorate the tables.
the increased popularity of such streaming services as Netflix, home country. It is the story of two brothers – Phil Burbank Of course, when the cowboys arrive and sit down, Phil picks
Amazon Prime, Hulu and others. (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his brother, George (Jesse Plemons) up one of the flowers and, in front of Peter – suspecting the truth
One exception to such a film is The Electrical Life of Louis – who own and operate a large and successful cattle ranch but as a cruel jab at his fey appearance – asks something like,
Wain, which is a current release that made its debut in November with a crew of hired hands who help drive their sizable herd. “Which pretty little girl made these?” Then he lights a match,
on Amazon Prime. But it offered such a masterful performance Though located in a small, almost isolated town surrounded by sets the paper flower on fire and puts it to his cigarette.
by its lead actor, Benedict Cumberbatch, in a true story so mountains, the brothers live in an old, gothic-like mansion tended When the others in the group leave, George stays behind to
touching that I couldn’t wait to tell you about it. to by two matronly cooks/cleaning ladies. apologize to Rose for his brother’s behavior. That is the start of
Remarkably, within just a matter of several weeks this Phil and George Burbank, though they are brothers and even a relationship which leads to their marriage, a situation deeply
same brilliant actor has returned in another film that opened sleep together in the same bed, could not be more unalike. Phil resented by Phil who insists to his brother that Rose is a gold
Dec. 1 on Netflix after a very brief theatrical premiere: The prides himself on his rough cowboy persona, tough to the point digger in it only because of their family’s wealth.
Power of the Dog, heralded by such unanimously glowing of cruelty to human and animal alike – I had to turn away from George arranges for Peter to attend medical school, and while
reviews as The New York Times critic’s comment, “A great one scene when he castrates a bull calf with a knife then finishes he is away Phil’s bitterness toward Rose and constant attempts
American story ... dazzling.” the job pulling it away with one hand as the calf bellows in pain to embarrass her eventually drives her toward alcohol abuse. But
And therein, dear reader, lies my dilemma. and refuses to shower even when distinguished guests have been it is when Peter returns from medical school for summer break,
This is, indeed, an impressive film. It may well earn invited to dinner. realizes what is happening, and begins to accept a more kindly
nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting George, on the other hand, dresses up in a suit and tie relationship offered by Phil, that the film takes a surprising, even
Actor and Best Director when the Academy Award most days, is quiet by nature, courteous and respectful to shocking, turn – and results in an ending that is so sudden and
ceremonies take place this coming March – and could take others ... yet is unable to stand up to his brother even when unexplained that I sat there for some time before, slowly and
the Oscars for all of them! he is at his most brutal. carefully, figuring it out.
An Oscar-worthy film? Yes. Enjoyable? I can’t promise you
Serving Palm Beach and Broward County ª that. This film did not leave me in a good mood. Every man in
it is either cruel, weak or incredibly rude – and they drove the
YOUR BOCA POINTE NEIGHBOR AND REALTOR only woman in it to drink.

There is one saving grace, however, for which I must give
Providing you with exceptional service and possessing unrivaled expertise Jane Campion enormous credit.
of the Boca Raton and Delray Beach markets. I have a feeling that, for her, despite all the critical praise
Experience does matter... Realtor since 1981. and awards heaped on Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog,
the most personally satisfying aspect of her involvement in
CALL FOR CONSULTATION this project may well have been the clever, creative moment of
Prudence J. (PJ) Carswell inspiration when she came up with the idea of providing to the
Licensed Real Estate Advisor • Licensed CAM audience – in one critical sentence of the voice-over at the very
beginning of the film by a character yet unseen – the clue you
Two office locations to will need to be able to figure out the film’s unexplained ending.
serve you in Boca Raton Listen carefully. 
& Delray Beach
Direct: 954-242-4260
PJCarswellRealtyHomeAdvisors@gmail.com Mayor’s Update from page 26
investment in our downtown waterfront, with completion
of milestones on the new sea walls and for our Palmetto
Park Road beachfront area at Wildflower and Silver Palm
Parks. This work is a prelude to the expanded boat ramp and
new pedestrian promenade that will connect the two parks
to create a six-acre urban green space. The City Council
approved the designs for the playground facilities that will
NoN-Toxic cancer immunotherapy serve as additional public art, in addition to the art installations
approved for these parks.
Recreation – New Openings. In November, the
Available NoW city opened the new Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club
(BRGRC), an 18-hole championship golf course. We are
currently planning for upgrades to the tennis and racquet
Safe and Effective! facilities, and will be adding pickleball. We also closed on
the sale of the western golf course, with $65 million going
to additional capital improvements in our city as part of a
This is the Original Immunotherapy that dedicated fund. In the fall, the city also unveiled the new
Sand Pine Park and ADA-accessible Center playground
balances and optimizes your immune system to at Hughes Park, which largely serves the students of the
fight almost any type of cancer. Fur Child Development and neighbors.
Even with rising COVID-19 figures from the Omicron
variant, we have much to look forward to in 2022. Our city
Hundreds of successes over the years. continues to remain prepared and vigilant for pandemic
issues, and I’m grateful that so many residents have been
Continuously available since 1977 proactive about their health and helping others. Our wonderful
weather and low taxes continue to attract major businesses
in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island and bolster our property values. We have more economic
development initiatives planned for 2022, which I plan to
cover in a future edition. Please stay tuned here.
See our website for more info: As always, I’m grateful to serve the people of Boca Raton!

www.Quantumimmunotherapy.net Please share any thoughts you have at ssinger@myboca.com,
and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at
@scottsingerusa. Want to see something in a future column?
or call for more information: Toll-free number (561) 766-0878 Please let me know.
Wishing you and yours a safe, happy, and healthy
Email: Quantimmuno@gmail.com new year! 