VIDEO - Benedict Cumberbatch, Magnetic Cowboy In "The Power Of The Dog": On The Way To The Oscar?

MEET – British actor Benedict Cumberbatch plays a tormented cowboy in “The Power of The Dog”, Jane Campion’s new film on Netflix. His magnetic performance made him the big favorite in the Oscar race for best actor.

Jerome Vermelin – 2021-12-03T13: 43: 13.262 + 01: 00

Magic of digital effects, the elegant Benedict Cumberbacth appears on our screen in front of the hills that his character contemplates in The Power of The Dog, the new film by Jane Campion available on Netflix. The British actor is in Los Angeles, where he is filming Doctor Strange 2, but he took the time to put on a sheepskin collar jacket, just to get back in the mood for this amazing adaptation of Thomas Savage’s novel, published in 1967.

On screen, he plays Phil Burbank, one of the two heirs to the family ranch, in the sumptuous landscapes of Montana. We are in 1925, at a turning point in the history of America. Macho and cruel, Phil is poles apart from his brother, the sweet George (Jesse Plemons) whom he has tortured since their earliest childhood. Until the day when the latter announces to him that he married Rose (Kirsten Dunst), a young widow from the area. And that she will come and settle with her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee).

It’s a western where there are no shootings. The weapons are the words, these are the sounds, the sound of the banjo, the footsteps on the stairs or the clicking of a spur– Benedict Cumberbatch

“As a child, I didn’t really play cowboy, it wasn’t in my culture“, admits at first glance the unforgettable interpreter of the series Sherlock, raised in upscale Kensington, London. “But as an actor, I’ve always been a fan of westerns and it turns out I had never done one before. More than that, it was the idea of working with Jane Campion, the book by Thomas Savage and the character of Phil Burbank that made me want to shoot the film.. “

Benedict was in the middle of promoting an episode ofAvengers when the Australian director came to offer him the lead role of his first cinema film since the delicate Bright Star in 2009. “Of course I accepted straight away, it’s Jane Campion!“, remembers the actor.”When you see the actors’ performances, it’s always raw, intense, authentic. Since I discovered The Piano Lesson, I devoured all of her films and thought it was going to be amazing to take the trip with her.. “

If he respects all the codes, apparently, The Power of The Dog is it really a western? “I am not a great intellectual of cinema as there may be in France“, replied Benedict, with a hint of irony.”It is not for me to analyze the place of this film in the genre, but I would say that it is a western where there are no shootings. The weapons are the words, these are the sounds, the sound of the banjo, the footsteps on the stairs or the clicking of a spur. “

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Magnetic, threatening, troubled and disturbing, the actor is at the top of his game in this formidable psychological suspense that keeps the spectator in suspense until the last seconds. Already nominated for an Oscar in 2015 for his portrayal of mathematician Alan Turing in Imitation Game, he is already a favorite for the next ceremony where the film could offer Netflix an unprecedented triumph.

“It’s rare to look at yourself on the screen and tell yourself that’s exactly what we wanted to do“, confesses Benedict.”It is clearly the most complete experience of my career. And the fact that I’m being talked about for the Oscars is great because it means a lot of people are going to see our work. Mine and everyone’s. From Jane, from the cinematographer Ari Wegner, from Jonny Greenwood who made the exceptional soundtrack and from all the actors. That’s wonderful. “

>> The Power of the Dog by Jane Campion. With Benedict Cumberbatch, Kristen Dunst, Jesse Plemons. On Netflix