MOVIE NEWS – The Power of the Dog is up for 12 awards at the Oscars this year, including Best Actor for Benedict Cumberbatch.

This year’s Oscar nominations are out, and while it’s not a big surprise to those who have seen the film, The Power of the Dog is one of the biggest contenders. In total, it received a dozen nominations, with lead actor Benedict Cumberbatch up for Best Actor for his role as Phil Burbank in the film. This is Cumberbatch’s second nomination in the Best Actor category, having previously been nominated for the 2014 film The Code Game.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cumberbatch admitted that he was “giddy” about the accolades for the film, although he also feels humbled and proud of his success. The actor also reflected on the film’s journey, from its birth to the attention it received at the Oscars.

“I’m kind of giddy. It’s a wonderful, humbling and very gratifying thing to experience part of this extraordinary journey.”

“This is conversation that began nearly three years ago now… talking with Jane about this extraordinary character and this really complex character in this amazing story and this collision of people in this beautiful landscape and era.”

The Power of the Dog director Jane Campion has also been nominated for Best Director, and the film itself is up for Best Picture. Benedict also took the time to praise Campion for her work on the film, saying that he knew he was part of something special the first time he saw the final cut.

“She’s such a delight. She’s such an intuitive witch really, she’s just got this amazing magic about her. She’s a very spiritual person. And she kind of knows you rather than sees you, rather than examines you. That’s who I met…​ This is really leaning into the visual medium at its richest. And when I first saw it… I saw that I was part of the world I was part of and it blew me away and I thought, oh my God, I’m in a truly great piece of cinema.”

Meanwhile, Cumberbatch’s fellow actors also got some recognition. Kirsten Dunst has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress, while Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee are in the running for Best Supporting Actor. Cumberbatch also spoke about how pleased he was that his friends and fellow actors were nominated.

“My three friends – we’re a quartet. Jesse is extraordinary in everything he does, he is such a profoundly gifted actor who grounds everything in realism, that’s based on intuition and some magic of his own but also hard work. It’s so tender what he does with George, it’s so heartbreaking and I’m so glad he’s getting this recognition both at the BAFTAs and the Oscars, and Kodi of course is just an extraordinary creature and playing an extraordinary character and just knocks it out of the park. Kirsten, likewise, what a journey she goes on as Rose… she’s an amazing actress.”

The Power of the Dog has a good chance of winning the Oscars

In addition to the above, the film has been nominated in the categories Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Editing, Best Cinematography and Best Set Design, among others.

Although he faces stiff competition, Cumberbatch has a strong chance of winning this time. Other nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role include Javier Bardem for the title role in Being the Ricardos; Andrew Garfield for tick, tick… BOOM!, Will Smith for King Richard and Denzel Washington for The Tragedy of Macbeth.

The Oscars will air on ABC on 27 March 2022.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter