The Revenant-2015

Director-Alejandro Inarritu

Starring-Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy

Scott’s Review #371

Reviewed January 27, 2016

Grade: A

The Revenant is a fantastic 2015 film that is filled with intensity, great visual camera work/direction, and showcases the acting talents of one of modern cinema’s dynamic performers in Leonardo DiCaprio, who shines every minute he is on-screen.

Almost all of the filming takes place outdoors (the American frontier period), and is a revenge tale, only adding to the excitement and beauty of the film.

The film is set in the 1820s, and we are immediately introduced to a large party of hunters and trappers in remote Wyoming as the film opens.  Right off the bat, I was struck by the picturesque scenery.

Shortly thereafter, we are treated to a compelling (and bloody) battle between the trappers and a tribe of Native American Indians. The Louisiana Purchase has just been passed, which has to lead to tensions between various parties causing both conflict and blood to spill.

The hunters are decimated so the remaining group must flee on foot, hoping to return to safety hundreds of miles away. The main character, Glass  (DiCaprio),  later receives a terrible injury and the main crux of the story develops as we embark on a tale of his desperation to survive and exact revenge on the men responsible for leaving him to die.

The film is a lesson in endurance. Glass is arguably put through almost every punishment imaginable and we wonder what more he can endure.

The film belongs to two actors- Dicaprio and Tom Hardy as the villainous John Fitzgerald- a hunter with a major rivalry with Glass. The film parlays into a revenge tale between the two characters.

DiCaprio is a gem in this film- not only is he compelling from a physical standpoint- he looks broken, battered, and bruised, but DiCaprio gives a performance that I am fond of- the acts non-verbally.

In one crucial scene, Glass is unable to move or speak as a violent act is committed. He is desperate yet helpless- the range of emotions that are portrayed by DiCaprio is astounding. The pain, hurt, and frustration are evident on his face and we sympathize greatly.

This is a powerful performance by DiCaprio.

Tom Hardy is certainly compelling in his own right as the scoundrel he portrays. We despise this character and all of his dirty deeds and Hardy successfully pours all of his energy into this grizzled role.

Hardy, quite handsome in real-life, is transformed into a partially scalped, dirty man. His fate at the end of the film is a clever aspect of The Revenant that helps make it not a typical run-of-the-mill western, but something so much more.

The, by now, infamous “bear scene” is second to none. How this compelling scene was shot is beyond me, but the result is a realism I have seldom witnessed in film. The scene is so prolonged and violent that one will wish it concludes quickly. A surprise comes that rivals any horror film.

The film is directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu and following a vastly different type of film (Birdman), he does a wonderful job.

The Revenant is arguably a “guy’s movie”.

There are almost no women featured and the ones that are are not treated well, which is unfortunate, however, sadly most likely true of the times. Interesting to note though, is Inarritu decided to have a female victim enact revenge on her abuser in a satisfying (though squeamish moment for the male viewer).

I found The Revenant to have definite left-wing leanings- the age-old controversy of the white man taking the Indians land is explored and the film has a way of bringing this up more than once as well as not making the Indian tribes “bad”, but rather sympathetic, especially since the character of Glass marries an Indian woman and bears a son with her.

Gorgeous cinematography morphed with a wonderful and intriguing story and peppered with brutality. The Revenant succeeds on every level and sets an important precedent for a film about perseverance in the face of hopelessness.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Alejandro G. Inarritu (won), Best Actor-Leonardo DiCaprio (won), Best Supporting Actor-Tom Hardy, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography (won), Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Visual Effects