Film Review - The Revenant

WARNING SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW!


I have finally got round to reviewing this spectacular film and my I wish I did it earlier. In what probably is Dicaprio's most badass role yet, it really brings to life the true story of one man's survival in 1823 in the cold and baron wilderness of America, as he is attacked and mauled by a bear and then left to die by his men. Only he survives and seeks revenge on the man that killed his son and abandoned him in an open grave. This man's name is Hugh Glass and basically puts the likes of Bruce Lee to shame as he treks across the dull frozen wasteland and returns half dead at the door of his friends that left him. Director and Oscar Winner Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is bound to get another award for this terrific film as it is unique in almost every way!

One of Inarritu's unique elements of this movie is the way it is filmed, shot by Emmanuel Lubezki using only natural lighting and producing some extremely long takes as well. Within the first ten minutes we are already gifted a well choreographed and action packed 3-4 minute take (could be more or less) as the Arikara people invade Dicaprio's camp and force them to retreat. Already from the beginning of the movie we are given a wonderful sequence that's as eye catching as any. Not long after this we are given probably the most memorable moment of the film when Hugh is mauled by a bear in brutal and merciless fashion. The way it happened and how it happened makes the whole scene very tense and scary to watch, right up until the bears dead body falls on top of his. It is from this moment (that my friend pointed out) that most of the shots are low angle and down to the level of Hugh's which he is at for most of the movie. From this angle we can see him crawl through the icy snow and almost feel the cold on the tip of our fingers as we are immersed into the snowy set that is in fact the remote wild of Calgary in Argentina!

Of course the connection between the audience and the characters is important and Dicaprio and Hardy both play an integral role in making that possible. The love he has for his mixed race son and memories of his native American lover make him a character easy to sympathize with and support him in every action he makes. The love he has for his son is obvious from the start and it is easy to see that he is all he has left, so when Hardy's character Fitzgerald ends his boys life it makes the scene very upsetting and difficult to watch with Dicaprio unable to speak and tied to a stretcher he is very limited to what he can do. Most of the film Dicaprio is expressing emotion through facial expressions and not speaking very much because of the bears slice across his neck, it makes the aspects of the film more visual than anything as we witness Hugh's road to recovery. The physical and mental strain of the character must have taken it's toll on Dicaprio as well with the amount of effort used to portray Hugh's current state must be worth an Oscar. I rarely do this but for once I'm not routing for the Englishman to win best actor this year, I do believe this is Dicaprio's year!

Hardy also produces a spectacular performance, playing the hard as nails bear trapper who is as greedy, scarred, ruthless and practical as any bear trapper. Of course we immediately hate him because of his dislike to Hugh's son and the events that followed that, but he is an interesting character in the way that he is more expressive than any with his attempt to cover up Hugh not actually dying of his wounds. But his attitude to one of the younger characters, Will Poulter's Jim Bridger as he forces the young lad into following his lead after leaving Hugh for dead. Suggesting that he's maybe a bit deluded in the way that he won't allow anything to get in the way of what he wants. Jim Bridger probably being the next most interesting character in the movie is also portrayed well and kind of feel sorry for him as he feels the anger of Captain Andrew (Domhnall Gleeson) after they find Hugh still alive.

The film requires close attention at all times, but that shouldn't be too difficult as you are hooked for the entire film. There is never a dull moment and it keeps you second guessing every action that Hugh makes as encounters various problems and obstacles to overcome to finally exact revenge. This may not be completely clear within the narrative of the story that this is why he's carrying on but it's probably the most obvious thing. I mean why else would he carry on fighting for his life? He's lost everything now and he only wants revenge!

A movie truly worthy of an Oscar and every award you could think of and if Dicaprio doesn't get an Oscar for this, god knows what he will have to do to get one!

I salute you for reading! :)

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