Benedict Cumberbatch has achieved success on multiple fronts, from owning the stage
to collecting accolades for his work on the small and silver screens.
But as much as he's accomplished already, Cumberbatch is only getting better with time.
His outstanding Oscar-nominated performance in "The Power of the Dog" is certainly proof of that, as
he seamlessly casts aside his natural posh demeanor in favor of a rugged, rabble-rousing
persona as the twisted rancher Phil Burbank.
As Burbank, Cumberbatch delivers a character who's intimidating but vulnerable.
And Cumberbatch steadily reveals the character's
dark true nature throughout his nuanced performance.
"Come on, Phil, what is it?
There is something there, right?"
"Not if you can't see it there ain't."
Cumberbatch's transformation from the stately Brit that first came to fame years ago into
such a coarse and cruel cowboy in the film is mind-blowing, so here's a closer look at
how things started versus how it's going for this superstar of the stage and screen.
When Cumberbatch initially came to prominence as an actor, he was known for portraying characters
with a gentlemanly air.
He began acting on the stage, and even as his stage career thrived, he also found his
way onto the small screen, with roles in television films like "Fields of Gold" and series like
"Fortysomething."
He soon earned his first starring part in the 2004 BBC film "Hawking," which featured
him as the scientific genius Stephen Hawking in his early years and earned Cumberbatch
his first BAFTA nomination.
Cumberbatch became a global phenomenon with the title role in the smash hit series "Sherlock."
"Impossible suicides, four of them?
There's no point sitting at home when there's finally something fun going on."
"Look at you, all happy.
It's not decent."
"Who cares about decent?
The game, Mrs. Hudson, is on."
The role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, among other recognitions, and cemented his
status as a top-tier talent, even among a stacked pool of British all-stars.
His energetic and complex portrayal of the fictional genius was instantly iconic and
assured that audiences would take notice of him for years to come.
"Mycroft, I don't do anonymous clients.
I'm used to mystery at one end of my cases.
Both ends is too much work.
Good morning."
Cumberbatch's small screen successes quickly translated into the world of film, and he
proved to be a formidable force in Hollywood.
His penchant for riveting drama became an essential element of some of his earliest
pictures like "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," "War Horse," and his Oscar-nominated role
as Alan Turing in "The Imitation Game."
At the same time, he also showed just how well he could dig into some darker character
work in features like "Atonement" and "12 Years a Slave," along with his jaw-dropping
turn as the creature in the filmed theatrical adaptation of "Frankenstein."
Though Cumberbatch could still easily slide into a proper suit and deliver powerful performances
in British period pieces like "Patrick Melrose" and "The Courier," he also went on to expand
his portfolio of on-screen personalities with some very uniquely challenging characters.
Among these were WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in "The Fifth Estate" and the simple
but soulful Little Charles Aiken in "August: Osage County."
Eventually, Cumberbatch also became a mainstay of blockbuster franchise fare and took on
even more drastically different looks for these coveted roles, including some very colorful
costumes as Dr. Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
By this point, critics and audiences alike were familiar with Cumberbatch's screen gifts,
but he somehow still wasn't done surprising folks just yet.
Even as expansive as Cumberbatch's roles have been throughout his career, his work in "The
Power of the Dog" raises the bar yet again on what the actor can achieve.
To become Phil Burbank, Cumberbatch committed to learning the tricks of the ranching trade
by studying up on some of the character's signature skills, like riding a horse, playing
the banjo, hand-braiding ropes, and even whistling – which he somehow managed to make intimidating.
More importantly, he managed to dig into the character's twisted and troubled mindset and
bring true authenticity to every word and movement.
As Phil Burbank, Cumberbatch is both loathsome and sympathetic, as his eyes often betray
the delicate truth behind his cruel words.
He's physically dominant throughout the story, but he also subtly reveals when Phil is quietly
shrinking on the inside too, creating a complex and compelling character that leaves you guessing
long after the credits roll.
"Yup, that's him.
You're gonna see him creeping all over the place now, big eyes goggling…
Little Lord Fauntleroy."
﻿Benedict Cumberbatch might've gotten his start portraying almost regal characters on
the stage and screen, but in "The Power of the Dog," he proves that he can literally
get into the mud and muck while still delivering a truly riveting performance.
Thanks for watching.
Click the links in our video to watch more from Netflix Film Club.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get the latest exclusive videos.
Plus hit the bell so you don’t miss a single one.