The new Western film, The Power of the Dog, has a lot of people talking. It’s been widely streamed, nominated for a dozen Academy Awards and sparked a lot of online discussion.
However, not all of that discussion has been positive.
As reported previously, Sam Elliott, who has acted in a number of Western films, derided The Power of the Dog, calling it a “piece of sh*t" and took extreme exception to any "allusions of homosexuality" being in a Western. Elliott made his targeted remarks during an inappearance on the podcast WTF with Marc Maron.
Despite these seemingly homophobic criticisms by Elliott, when the film's star Kodi Smit-McPhee was asked to reply, he had a different response than his costar, Benedict Cumberbatch.
You can see Smit-McPhee's reply below.
Kodi Smit-McPhee's response to Sam Elliott's criticism of #ThePowerOfTheDog? "Nothing. 'Cause I'm a mature being and I'm passionate about what I do. And I don't really give energy to anything outside of that." https://wp.me/pc8uak-1lAK5a\u00a0pic.twitter.com/csAaXI25N0— Variety (@Variety) 1646701636
Smit-McPhee was asked about Elliott’s comments on the film including his thoughts about the themes of the story and questioning if director Jane Campion had the right to make an American Western.
When asked what he wanted to say in response, Smit-McPhee said:
“Nothing. ‘Cause I’m a mature being and I’m passionate about what I do. And I don’t really give energy to anything outside of that.”
“Good luck to him.”
you rock @kodismitmcphee - great work, well deserved praise and such a fabulous film.— Adam Weissler (@Adam Weissler) 1646783867
10/10 response.— David (@David) 1646776568
He's a class act. If someone criticized my work, I would not have been so forgiving.https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1501001570883751936\u00a0\u2026— Ryan T. Loy (@Ryan T. Loy) 1646780169
That\u2019s some classy answer! That\u2019s what I\u2019m talking about. Good for you man, show them you\u2019re better.— Emma (@Emma) 1646713298
In The Power of the Dog, Kodi Smit-McPhee acts alongside Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst.
The psychological drama examines Cumberbatch’s wealthy ranch owner character’s interactions with his brother’s new wife’s son, played by Smit-McPhee, while exploring both toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia.
The film is directed by Jane Campion, a New Zealand director, who also chose to film the movie in that country because of issues caused by the pandemic. This led to one of Elliott’s criticisms about the inauthenticity of the film.
However, Spaghetti Westerns—the vehicle that launched Clint Eastwood's film Western careeer—were filmed in Europe and produced by Italians. So the idea of a Western being made by someone who isn’t American and filmed outside of the country isn’t exactly unheard of.
The bigger criticism Elliott had was the “allusions of homosexuality” that permeated the film. However, that was literally the point of the film and the book it was based on, along with confronting traits of toxic masculinity.
Sam Elliott is entitled to his opinion, but others are entitled to their thoughts about that opinion too.
I love ya, Sam Elliot, but your Boomer bloomers are showing. \n\n#powerofthedog #kodismitmcphee #SamElliot\n#BoomerBloomers\n\nKodi Smit-McPhee Shut Down Sam Elliott\u2019s \u2018Power of the Dog\u2019 Dig | IndieWirehttps://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/kodi-smit-mcphee-sam-elliott-power-of-the-dog-1234705602/\u00a0\u2026— petsitter on the loose! \ud83d\udc15\ud83c\udfc3\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2640\ufe0f (@petsitter on the loose! \ud83d\udc15\ud83c\udfc3\ud83c\udffc\u200d\u2640\ufe0f) 1646757971
Sam Elliot if Kodi Smit-McPhee wins the Oscarpic.twitter.com/e7wxXSnfv4— Tom Zohar (@Tom Zohar) 1646180209
didn't he say nicole kidman was a has been because australian media was covering her instead of him?https://twitter.com/IndieWire/status/1501231267001638916\u00a0\u2026— \ud83d\udcab (@\ud83d\udcab) 1646784421
Sam Elliott as this year\u2019s Anonymous Oscar Voter giving his opinion of Kodi Smit McPheepic.twitter.com/pVXotkaNmD— Declan Cashin (@Declan Cashin) 1646165923
Saw it tonight, and absolutely loved it. Sam Elliot can shut his mouth Most likely bitter or jealous— Lisbeth K.K (@Lisbeth K.K) 1646688782
Ewwww. That is all.— Mary T (@Mary T) 1646774044
Smit-McPhee wasn’t the only one to address Elliott’s comments.
While the young actor was asked directly about the criticism, Benedict Cumberbatch brought up the controversy while interviewed for the British Academy of Film And Television Awards (BAFTA).
He never mentioned Elliott by name, but it was clear he was addressing him when he emphasized the intolerance towards homosexuality that still exists in our world.