‘The Power of the Dog’ Doesn’t Idealize Queerness and Is Better for It
The new Benedict Cumberbatch film is no ‘Brokeback Mountain’ repeat
By George Elkind
Growing acceptance has created a new suite of possibilities for queer storytelling in mainstream films. The sly, charged and freely oppositional work of the New Queer Cinema that dominated Hollywood in the late ’80s and early ’90s (itself influenced by gay creators like the multidisciplinary David Wojnarowicz and Bavarian auteur Rainer Werner Fassbender) can often feel distant today.
Reflecting a conservative shift in Hollywood, works about queer people — and particularly cisgender gay males — have trended lately towards uplift. There’s a desire, even a longing, for the gauzy, romantic, and most positive forms of depiction, and it’s not so hard to imagine why. These versions of queer life were long thought unimaginable. But that doesn’t make them particularly real, either. Forget queer identity posing any enduring problems or even concerns for movies’ characters; regardless, often, of questions of genre, period or milieu, such matters have become politically and socially incidental.
Whether through the long summer vacation in “Call Me By Your Name,” ferris wheel kisses in “Love, Simon,” or the picket-fenced form of gay family life presented in “Eternals,” these stories serve as a for-some-welcome escape hatch from everyday life. Portraying queer folk as role models (or literal superheroes) by celebrating monogamous, nurturing relationships with appeal across a range of audiences and tastes, these works suggest that actualizing acceptance should be easy — and why not? The queer people in them are so like everyone else that they might as well be straight.
But what about when everyone else isn’t happy, and the world isn’t so kind? This true-to-life, less utopic version of existence should sound more familiar. In writer-director Jane Campion’ s new adaptation of Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel “The Power of the Dog,” fantasy becomes reality for no one and honeymoons exist as brief stops at scenic overlooks, or within the space of idling memories and daydreams.
The film follows a whole cast of characters, headlined by two unlike brothers, the Montana
ranchers Phil and George Burbank (played by Benedict Cumberbatch and Jesse Plemons, respectively) who are unable to live in a state of ease. After George, the gentler of them, quietly marries Rose, a local innkeeper (sweetly played by Plemons’ real-life wife Kirsten Dunst), he tries to integrate her with her gangly, effete and quite enigmatic son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) into their shared home. After marrying into the family, Rose — and later Peter, who’s off to study medicine for much of the year — move out to the Burbanks’ ranch, where they attempt to make a life together along with Phil and George.
Cumberbatch’s Phil isn’t the one married to Rose, but the two make a bitter match. Spitting vitriol at her and Peter, who he teases over his delicate craft projects, he labors to project a macho demeanor at every moment he can. Wearing spurs indoors, spurning baths and torching stacks of perfectly usable — and salable — cowhides, Phil’s a man whose every breath taken in must be followed by an exhalation of spite. But as the 1925-set film makes quite plain, there’ s an urgency — arguably a necessity — to at least a portion of Phil’s viciously gendered performance. When Peter, as much a driving mystery as a viewer surrogate in the movie, finds some clues to Phil’s secret queer identity, the pair form an improbable bond. But “Brokeback Mountain” this is not. More a frontier psychodrama than an action-driven western with the kinds of shootouts or even fisticuffs one might expect, “Power of the Dog” makes its rugged environs an extension of the domestic, rendering it a story less about people adventuring out than working to live with themselves and each other at home. This struggle’s not exclusive to its queer characters everyone in it is connected by interlinked burdens. Refusing a fantasy space or the kind of martyr-victim roles that might prove gratifying and familiar — to viewers from works like “Brokeback,” Campion’s visions of conflict here don’t require or even allow for the sanctification of anyone.
life as a kind of personal and social problem for those who lived it in its particular time and place, it also used “cowboy” as an identitarian counterweight, a way of assuring viewers that its men were “still men,” presenting them as traditionally masculine so as to dramatize the absurdity of the world around them refusing to accept them.
Campion calls this sort of bluff, however; no matter what way Phil performs or strives, he’ s still caught in some way at the margins — if not by others than by a deep knowledge he holds about himself. Campion’s idea of existential discomfort — or simply knowledge — of who you are isn’t something to just honeymoon or fishing-trip away from (even when it could be attempted as in “Brokeback”), but it’s not some cross born nobly either. Phil and Peter occupy the vast Burbank estate and could go off to anywhere on the Burbank tract, but what would it really matter? Culture and its scripts are things we carry with us.
At the same time, “Power” treats queer identity and desire as an identity and set of impulses that are irrepressible, offering a vision and sense of self that doesn’t always sit easily with one ’s immediate company or society at large. While “Brokeback Mountain” treated queer
Campion’s dramatization of culture, identity and desire proves complicated. In “Power,” as in life, queer personhood, like gendered roles and performance, are wrapped up in complex matrices of denial, egotism and selfmythologizing. Separation from the mainstream isn’t easy or clean here, nor is tidy assimilation possible in any honest sense. What Campion’ s made here is a deeply critical work that, by disallowing saints and martyrs, manages to treat these conflicts — and identities — as messy in the ways they still so often are.
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Peach Scene @
December 8th - 14th
CLUE (1985) @ The Plaza Theatre! | December 8th (3 PM)
WUSSY is back back again with our monthly campy feature fantastico, with the 1985 classic CLUE!
* Prizes for the best looks of any of the characters from the film! * All ages welcome
* We DEMAND attendees get rowdy, quote, & interact with the film.
Hosted by Dotte Com & Molly Rimswell. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Arrive then, grab a cocktail, grab a snack & take some photos before the look contest.
Miss Future 2022 Pageant @ FUTURE | December 9th (9 PM)
The 1st Annual Miss Future Atlanta Pageant!
Doors at 8pm - Pageant begins at 9pm
Film starts at 7:30pm. Please remember your PROOF of either full vaccination or negative test (no older than 72 hours) along with your photo ID.
Registration for contestants 6pm - $50 to enter. Winner receives $1000 cash and bookings in 2022 at Future.
Ritual: A Very Naughty Christmas (Goth Industrial Theme Night)@ HERETIC | December 10th (10 PM)
This is a dark holiday event for those on the Naughty list. Who said Christmas can't can't be fun?
Lace your dancing boots and let's make this one to remember.
21+ | $10
Gag the Grinch @ Hideaway | December 11th (8:30 PM)
DJ Aesthetic and DJ Eschar will be spinning a delicious mix of goth industrial dance tracks.
Come celebrate the season not by sitting on Santa’s lap but by Gagging the Grinch! Get your unique photo op with the grinch and whoville boys along with some other fun festivities.
All proceeds goes to @forthekidatl to help with their goal of getting 5,000 toys out. A great local organization we want to showcase this holiday season. So come out, have some fun, be a little naughty, and know it’s all for a good cause. Suggested donation of $20 or whatever you can do.
Pub Crawl on the BeltLine | Winter Edition | December 12th (12 - 4 PM)
From Inman Park to Piedmont Park, the East Side Trail on the Atlanta BeltLine connects some of the best restaurants and bars in town!
Join us on Saturday, December 11th to try them all!
Enjoy up to five complimentary beverages along the BeltLine along with awesome food and drink specials at each participating location.
Get your crew together and join us for Pub Crawl on the BeltLine: Summer Edition
Tickets Include:
• Up to (5) complimentary drinks at our partner bars
• Souvenir Pub Crawl on the BeltLine koozie
Participating locations coming soon!
2021 Atlanta Santa Speedo Run @ Politan Row Colony Square | December 11th (12 PM)
The Atlanta Santa Speedo Run presented by Sweet Peach Wax and Sugaring Studio is a 1-mile fun run where you strip down to your skivvies in the name of charity alongside others who are just as bold and beautiful as you are inside and out!
Registration is only $30 and 100% of your fundraising goes directly to helping Bert's Big Adventure! We ask every runner to raise a minimum of $250! Runners that reach the minimum will get the sweet swag bag with a free class to Barry's Bootcamp, some cool swag from Bert's Big Adventure, and more!
** Raise $500 and you’ll also get a pre/post-party, sponsor swag bag, a sweet gift from Atlanta Santa Speedo Run, and a $25 gift card ** Raise $1,000 and you’ll also be entered into the Reindeer Raffle for your chance to win a $500 gift card! **The top fundraiser and the top fundraising team get all of the above and more!
#DadsAgainstDeplorables Calendar Launch Party @ WOOFS | December 11th (1 PM)
Join your favorite "dads" for a beer and grab one of their 2022 calendars just in time for the holidays.
Made in Georgia with international collaboration working hard to keep Georgia BLUE.
Christmas Pub Crawl Atlanta | December 11th - 12th (10 PM - 3 AM)
Join us for the most wonderful time of the year! Wear a Santa suit or ugly sweater! Be an elf or reindeer! Get in the holiday spirit! Bring your friends or make new ones here!
We’re bar hopping all day and night from 2PM until 2AM and you can arrive anytime! Expect hundreds of attendees and lots of drink specials!
Last event we went to: Publico, Park 27, Tin Lizzy, Establishment, My Sister’s Room, Kat’s Cafe, Ten Atlanta... And some drinks were as cheap as $3! But venues and specials aren’t confirmed yet.
RSVP and check back soon for updates!
Tickets are limited at ChristmasAtlanta.eventbrite.com
Naughty is Nice! Holiday Dance Party & Pop Up Shop @ MARY's | December 11th (9 PM)
It's the gift giving season! Neon Horror is on the scene with stocking stuffers, apparel and more!
And to top it all off we're gonna get NAUGHTY on the dance floor. Mark your calendar's and we'll see you at Mary's.
Felix's Toy Drive Party | December 11th (9 PM)
Come join us on Saturday December 11th, 2021 for our Toy Drive Party!
We'll have Dj AF, Prizes, and a Festive Outfit Contest!
30th Anniversary @ Heretic |December 11th (10 PM - 3 AM)
Heretic's 30th Anniversary Celebration with DJ Joe Gauthreaux and Performance by Kristine W!
Unholy Night with A'Keria C Davenport & Tammie Brown @ MSR | December 11th (10 PM)
WUSSY is back to deck your holly jollies at ••••UN•HOLY•NIGHT••••with special guests A'Keria C Davenport and Tammie Brown from RuPaul's Drag
we’re stuffing our stockings & sacrificing virgins to make sure you have an UN•HOLY•NIGHT to remember. Don’t need mistletoe to make out with you-- just consent and good aim!
Meet & Greet with A'Keria & Tammie at 9pm Showtime at 10:30pm
MSR is getting tinseled the house down b00ts with performances by A'Keria C Davenport, Tammie Brown, Chyna White, EllaSaurus Rex, Molly Rimswell, and Misster (Charlotte)
$15 Presale or $30 VIP Meet & Greet
$20 at the door
Remember kids! You can't spell Santa without SATAN PALS Drag Queen Bingo - ChristmaHanaKwanzaMas @ LIPS Atlanta | December 14th (7:30 - 9:30 PM)
PRESENTED BY TITO’S HANDMADE VODKA
Get ready to do ALL the holidays! Tickets are $20 for 7 games with $1,100 cash to the winners. Tickets available online at link above.
Hostesses Bubba D. Licious and Erica Lee and our special guest performers will get you festive as they call bingo, put on a show, and help us raise money for PALS!
We are abiding by safety requirements from the City of Brookhaven and the State of Georgia as well as following recommendations from the Center for Disease Control to ensure our guests, performers, staff, and volunteers all remain safe during the event. We appreciate your support and we look forward to seeing all of you at Drag Queen Bingo in the future!
Tickets available at palsatlanta.yapsody.com/event/index/653911/christmahanakwanzamas
Life was starting to get really difficult for you this past week, so now that things have slowed down a bit get out there and enjoy life to the fullest. What good is your life if you are going to spend it at home worried about everything around you? Take a moment to appreciate the tenacity of the human spirit and be proud of yourself that you made it through another day.
You deserve a bit of fun this week. You have been thinking about revisiting some childhood places that hold special significance to you, but you have been incredibly hesitant. Why? Go out there and act like a kid for a bit. What do you ahave to lose? And what does it matter if other people judge you? You havent cared about other people's opinions until JUST NOW. So, get out there.
Stop second guessing yourself. Let loose and enjoy it for a moment. You have tried so hard to focus that you've lost sight of some happy times in your life. Why are you letting the stress of the everyday ruin your true personality? I know that things are getting harder for you on the day to day, but that should only mean that you take moments to let yourself go and enjoy it a bit.
This week, try to interact with the people around you a bit more. You might be surprised at the information or inspiration that someone gives you. If you don't feel comfortable around others this week, then try to find inspiration elsewhere. You have the chance to build or create something GREAT! then GREAT!
People around you are going to try and help you out of a sticky situation. Because you are an INCREDIBLY analytical person, you are going to feel pressured to do something that you would not normally... but, allow yourself to get out there and enjoy life a little bit. If you dont take a risk, then you can never reap the reward. reward.
Things are looking up for you! Take the chance to get out there and learn something new. Maybe you have been trying to decide if you want to go back to school or get into something a bit more fun. If you really want to, then go for it! What do you have to lose? Money? Sure, but that is replaceable. A missed opportunity might not be.
Time for you to rely on a friend this week. You have been feeling a lot of tension and honestly, you have been at your rope's end. That is OKAY! Everyone goes through this once or twice. What you need to do is allow yourself to confide in someone close to you and get that stuff off your chest.
When all the tension subsides around you, you will be incredibly relieved. There is so much tension surrounding you right now that you cannot help but feel hostile yourself. Don't allow outside stressors to interfere with your authentic self. You are not hostile, so dont allow these catty queens to change you.
Try to take care of your physical body this week, Leo. Maybe drink some more water instead of all those mimosas this Sunday! Haha. But seriously, allow yourself some time to focus on something physical that would be good for your body. If you are able to take a class or go exercise then do that. If you cannot commit that much time, maybe a dance party in your room? of
Someone is going to compliment you this week that you are not normally to, but the authenticity will catch you off guard. Maybe this person is employer who you have had some animosity towards, but you are to really enjoy their kind words. It is going to be a nice change after the past few days where you have been stressed about life. open an em going
You are going to be more open to socializing than usual this week, Libra. Because of this socialization you might have a new opportunity arise that you didnt know was on the horizon. Maybe you are going to re-meet someone from your past that you passed up before, and who knows... maybe it comes with a nice pay increase? maybe it comes with a nice pay increase?
can you relax a bit more this week, Scorpio? You really need it. You been so damn stressed lately that you havent allowed yourself to in on your internal breath. Take a deep breath this week and head park or to your happy place and enjoy some solitary time with just thoughts. Jot them down. Dance around. Paint. Do something creative and relaxing. You need it. have focus to the your thoug
