Journey Into the Wilderness

The Revenant

‘Inspired by true events’ seems to be a popular trend running in Hollywood today. However, when that phrase is used for a period piece that has very little record of, I think those words should be applied. American History is still in a very young stage when compared to the rest of the world and yet there are places in our history that are still very vague. Like the many years during the migration west during the late 1790’s through the 1840’s. ‘Inspired by true event’ very well could apply to 20th Century Fox’s newest Oscar contender, The Revenant.

Renowned tracker and frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio The Wolf of Wall Street) and his Native American son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) has been hired by US Army Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens) to lead hunting parties through the unrelenting landscape of the Louisiana Purchase. However, the party’s fortunes turn from bad to worse when Glass is mauled by a bear while hunting. Forced by Captain Henry to drag Glass’ mangled body around, tensions begin to rise with some of the others, especially a man named John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy Legend). When the hunting party comes to a pass they cannot overcome while carrying Glass, it is Fitzgerald that offers to stay a behind with Glass and his son in hopes of the party discovering an easier way to travel. Frustrated with waiting, Fitzgerald decides to put Glass out of his misery, mainly for his share of profits. Finding that Fitzgerald is trying to murder his father, Hawk tries to intervene but is the one that ends up dying. Fitzgerald tries to leave in a hurry and buries Glass alive, but Glass has something else than dying on his mind.

One of the most brutal films that I have seen since the first time I watched Apocalypse Now. This is an outstanding piece of cinema that will and should be talked about for years to come. Performances by DiCaprio and Hardy are stuff that legends grow from and Birdman director proves again why he rightfully won his Oscar last year. The imagery is magnificent and what should be a simple revenge story turns into an amazing look into the human soul and what we strive to live for.

Starting with Hardy, mainly because he is the supporting actor in this opus. Hardy brilliantly sheds his English accent for a thick Texas drawl which transforms him into a self-serving man that wants nothing more than to better himself. As hard as it was for me to do, Hardy creates a character that is so unlikable and to me considered a villain for the ages. As for the hero of this story, DiCaprio is one of the most underrated actors of his generation and has been robbed a few times of the accolades he deserves. This film should produce the Oscar gold that has been just out of reach due to the fact that DiCaprio portrays Glass with such determination and passion. Mainly by himself for most of the film, DiCaprio pulls the audience into his struggle with living and gives us the hope of never giving up on life.

Oscar winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)) gives the world yet another beautiful film. Not only visually but emotionally as well. The scenery that is showcased in this film is absolutely stunning and credit for that also goes to cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (Knight of Cups). Iñárritu creates such an unforgiving world in an unforgiving time in history and yet he brings out the magnificence in it. What makes this so brilliant to me is how Iñárritu is able to convey this and counter balance that splendor with the ugliness in men’s hearts.

Brutal, unforgiving, relentless, and savage are just some of the adjectives that have been used to describe this film. I agree with all of them, but I would also so captivating, breath-taking, and inspiring. DiCaprio and Hardy give performances of a lifetime while their director has solidified himself among the greats of Hollywood directors.

The Verdict: See in Theatres.