Legendary writer-director Jane Campion hasn’t directed a movie since 2009’s “Bright Star,” since then, she’s mostly dabbled in creating the TV series “Top of the Lake,” which was quite wonderful, but didn’t come close to the landmarks Campion had created over her illustrious 25 year career. Those landmarks are, as far as I’m concerned, “The Piano,” “Sweetie,” and “An Angel at My Table.” I also have great respect for “The Portrait of A Lady,” and the now, thanks to gender studies classes in film schools nationwide , feminist classic, “In the Cut” (a wildly uneven B-movie that is as fascinating as it is messy and frustrating).
Great news came today in the form of a Variety report which stated that Benedict Cumberbatch and Elisabeth Moss would star in Campion’s next film, “The Power of the Dog,” an adaptation of the Thomas Savage novel.
Jane Campion statement:
“‘The Power of the Dog’ is a sublime novel that deserves a life on the big screen. I couldn’t stop thinking about the story, it really haunted me. The themes of masculinity, nostalgia and betrayal are an intoxicating mix,” Campion said. “It’s also rare to find a story where the themes, the plot and the characters build tension as they reveal each other and even the end is satisfying and unexpected. It will be the first time I’ve worked with a male lead, which is exciting. Phil is a charismatic and complex character who declares war on his brother’s new wife and her teenage son.”
Synopsis:
“The novel tells a story of wealthy Montana brothers Phil (Cumberbatch) and George Burbank. Phil is graceful, brilliant and cruel, while George is stolid, fastidious and gentle. Together, they are joint owners of the biggest ranch in their Montana valley.. When George secretly marries local widow Rose (Moss), an angry Phil wages a sadistic, relentless war to destroy her by using her son Peter as a pawn.”