Set in 1920s Montan, the film follows two cowboys, brothers Phill and George, but they are not stereotypical cowboys.
They are the sons of wealthy parents, but still get down and dirty with the ranch hands who run their cattle. Phill, in particular, is one of the boys. When they meet Rose, and her son Peter, George is quickly interested in her and they marry quite soon. Phill is not so sure about her. He mercilessly bullies Rose and Peter, driving Rose to drink. George is intimidated by his older brother and allows this to happen. Tension builds on the ranch.
Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Phill, is usually good when he is doing what he is good at - Sherlock, Alan Turing and Dr Strange - but this is a very different role for him. He has bulked up and uses his physicality well. I would never think of him as a macho actor but he has a different kind of arrogance here.
It becomes clear Phill is hiding a dark secret. The secret is almost like a physical part of him, he struggles with his bulk and moves awkwardly, but with a bully’s confidence. His goal is to beat down anyone slightly comfortable in their own skin, bring them down to his miserable level. I think he has a good shot at the Best Actor Oscar in March.
Jesse Plemons, and his real life wife, Kirsten Dunst, play George and Rose. Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter is a real find - awkward and reminiscent of David Bowie in The Man Who Fell To Earth, he stands out so clearly in the wild west. When he discovers Phill’s secret, it gives him a strange confidence which comes through in his walk and the way he speaks. It is a fascinating performance.
This is a tight and claustrophobic film, despite its wide open Montana setting. The mental anguish of the four players make for an uncomfortable, but fascinating watch.
From director Jane Campion, this is a film about the compromises people make with themselves to be able to live, and about how people handle shame and anger. It is her best film since The Piano. She is such a cerebral director, everything is on screen, with almost nothing said out loud. The ending I am only 80 per cent sure I know what happened, she does not hold your hand.
This will be on Netflix next week, but I recommend watching in a cinema for the Johnny Greenwood score and the beautiful cinematography alone.
