​FILMS

the revenant

The Revenant is to be revered.

2016 review number 14:

The Revenant: (Drama/Thriller): 83 out of 100: Could this be the year where Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins an Academy Award after previously being nominated for four acting Oscars? Although it might not be his best ever performance, he certainly states his case with a brilliant portrayal of legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass. It's an epic western of sorts featuring the 'hero' seeking revenge on the 'villain'. Not for the faint-hearted, there are particular images that will make you cower or wince, but the violence is justified to make the viewer empathise with the hero's struggles.

 

Set in 1823, a party of trappers is led by Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson). The group is hunting for pelts in the unsettled wilderness of northern Louisiana when they are ambushed by the Arikara Native Americans. Some of the party escapes on a boat but Hugh Glass, a hunter with knowledge of the area and its natives, recommends that they abandon the boat and begin the journey back to Fort Kiowa on foot. This decision irks some, particularly John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), who doesn't trust Glass's half-native son Hawk (Forrest Goodluck). While out hunting, Glass is severely mauled by a bear and the captain asks two volunteers to stay with him while the rest of the group continues their journey. One of these volunteers is Fitzgerald who tries to smother him but is disturbed by Hawk. Fitzgerald murders him and persuades his fellow volunteer Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) to leave with him, claiming that Hawk has simply disappeared and that Glass has died from his horrific injuries. Upon recovering, Glass sets out to track down the man who murdered his son and gain vengeance.

 

This is not a masterpiece as there are flaws. Although Hardy is gruff and menacing, he mumbles his way through his dialogue, making it difficult to understand everything he is saying. For that, he has been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar! The story has been inspired by true events so it does make you question the decisions made by some of the characters. One instance is why wouldn't Fitzgerald simply kill Glass after murdering his son? That would probably mean there wouldn't be a movie and it would end with the demise of Glass! There are a couple of other examples of plot deficiencies but that would be revealing too much of the story. Although Alejandro G. Iñárritu has directed with aplomb and superb vision, there are a few too many lingering shots of 'nothingness'. Despite his tendency to stray occasionally too long on nature, he has a charming grace with his camera, allowing for long takes and panning to capture the full scope of the locations and their accompanying action scenes.

 

Flaws aside, this is an entertaining movie that will have you on the edge of your seat in some of the action sequences. It's a beautiful film to look at too with its exquisite cinematography, brilliantly capturing the wilderness of the Dakotas (The outdoor scenes were actually filmed in remote locations in America, Canada and Argentina). Iñárritu has shot the scenes in chronological order and in natural light, giving the film an authentic feel.

 

DiCaprio is in pain for much of the movie, whether through the physical injuries he sustains from the bear mauling, or emotionally suffering from the death of his son. He communicates a fair bit through grunts and groans, suggesting that actors don't need to recite huge chunks of dialogue to communicate their thoughts. Just seeing his expressions and hearing his voice in agony are the perfect combination of a masterful acting performance. Hardy is a terrific character actor but sometimes the accents he adopts for his roles hinder his performances, as in the case here.

 

The Revenant has been nominated for 12 Oscars, excessive in my eyes as it has received nominations for Supporting Actor, Costume Design and Visual Effects. It's not the perfect western epic but it sure is an entertaining one that must be seen on the big screen to fully enjoy and appreciate the visual splendour.

 

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy and Domhnall Gleeson

(156 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, violence, sex scene and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoebZZ8K5N0 (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Tuesday 26th January, 2016)

For my latest reviews, go to this link: http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review