1883 star Sam Elliott is not a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch’s The Power of the Dog. As it turns out, there are quite a few people who aren’t particularly pleased about the gruff actor’s rationale for his latest take on the popular Old West film.
“You wanna talk about that piece of s–t?”
That’s how the veteran actor who has long made a career out of speaking with a drawl many associates with an idealized version of a real-life cowboy started off one recent conversation. The 1883 star was speaking to podcast host Marc Maron.
Maron had just brought up academy award-nominated The Power of the Dog on Maron’s “WTF” podcast. The actor then went on a rant about how Cumberbatch’s film subverted the Western genre. He also had problems with what he saw as homosexual themes.
Sam Elliott Blasts The Power Of The Dog Director
“Jane Campion. She’s a brilliant director, by the way. I love her previous work. But what the f—k does this woman from down there, New Zealand, know about the American West?,” the actor added.
He also had a problem with where Campion decided to shoot the Netflix original show. He thought that her decision to shoot the movie in New Zealand, rather than in the United States was a mistake that appeared to hint she didn’t know what she was doing.
“So that f—kin’ rubbed me the wrong way pal,” he added.
Backlash Is Fast And Fierce
While Sam Elliott had several problems with The Power of the Dog, quite a few of those issues were immediately pushed back on by members of the media and the public. Right at the top of the list was the fact that Campion’s picture was clearly meant to subvert Western tropes. So in some ways, the 1883 star’s reaction was exactly what she was going for.
More than a few people had a problem with a man who has made a career pretending to be a cowboy, complaining about the “fakeness” of Benedict Cumberbatch’s film.
“I like Sam Elliott,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “But someone probably needs to remind him he’s an actor from Sacramento who lives in Malibu, not an actual cowboy.”
“I don’t care why Sam Elliott is in the news,” another tweeted. “But the single funniest thing about that dude is that he’s from Sacramento. He’s just going around with that mustache acting like he’s not from the same town as Joan Didion and we let him get away with it.”
While some fans seemed annoyed by the 1883 star’s comments, others simply had fun making him into a meme.
this scene in a star is born (2018) felt oddly specific but with this sam elliott interview out now it makes more sense pic.twitter.com/u2fZV3Ps7y
— Kenzie Vanunu 🦇 (@kenzvanunu) March 1, 2022
Finally, others pointed out that perhaps Sam Elliott’s outraged over the message of The Power of the Dog missed something important.
somebody tell sam elliott cowboys have always been gay. you’re with your best friend who you’d die for. y’all are out on the trail (or whatever). you start a fire and have a beautiful conversation.
bed time comes and you’re telling me mouth stuff is off the table? get real.
— caleb hearon (@calebsaysthings) March 1, 2022
One has to wonder if the 1883 star wishes he’d thought about his opinion a bit longer.
