I mean it. Leo, you poor poor chap. So many brilliant performances and amazing movies, from The Aviator to The Departed, you’re still deprived of the ultimate reward. You and Johnny Depp.
Revenant. Oh Boy! One of those movies that pulls you in, gives you shivers along your spine, makes you experience the pain of the actor, as if you’re living in the movie, until the credits roll and you realize you’re in a movie theater with popcorn spilled on your pants.
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu(of The Birdman fame), this movie is a visual, emotional & psychological masterpiece. Leo plays Hugh Glass, an experienced fur trader & hunter in early 19th century Louisiana, a time of conflict between the European Americans and the Natives. Owing to his familiarity with the area, he’s chosen to lead a contingent of fellow fur traders out of a surprise ambush by the Natives. Not everyone in his group agree to this. En route, an attack by a grizzly bear, almost leaves him dead. It’s up to his comrades to lead him now. The story follows Glass’ survival in the cold acerbic landscape in a near-to-death condition in the company of some unscrupulous people.
Heavily invested in portraying realism, the cinematography excels in conveying the forthcoming nature of the narrative. No exposition is given anywhere, the scenes themselves expound on the details of backstories and such, without confounding the audience. This is something difficult to accomplish in a two and a half hour movie.
Performances are off the mark. Tom hardy is someone everyone should keep an eye out for. His aberrant acting has won many hearts right from Inception to Warrior. He plays a petulant, intemperate hunter with questionable motives with such ease, you feel he might be the same in real life. Supporting cast gives.well, supporting performances that make the experience of The Revenant complete.
Well, I think I have said enough without revealing too much. The movie is a treat. Try to reconcile a survival game like Far Cry that is made into a movie made, with Leonardo di Caprio as the lead player.
With necessary gore, attention detail, great uncut scenes, balanced performances, though a bit slow paced at times, The Revenant indisputably deserves all the praise that it has got till date.
This year I feel, Leo’s time this year at the Oscars. Although I fear it might be marred by the racism controversy that has erupted of late.