“The Revenant”

I had to look up the word in Webster’s!   Translation, “one that returns after death or a long absence”.   A perfect title for this exquisite film.  The director, Mexican born Alejandro G. Inarritu won the Oscar for his brilliant direction of last year’s Best Picture, “Birdman”.  He will likely be in the running again this year.

The setting is the American West in the 1820’s when bloody battles between frontiersmen and Indians were common.   The story was inspired by true events which makes me even more happy to have been born in the twentieth century and not the early nineteenth!   Hugh Glass, played brilliantly by Leonado DiCaprio is a famed explorer who guides a group of rough and tumble fur traders in search of valuable pelts. The toughest and orniest of the group is one John Fitzgerald.  The casting of Tom Hardy for this role was a brilliant move.  I cannot imagine anyone developing this character so fully and so real as he did.  He is a sure bet for an Oscar nomination.

Other solid performances include Domhnall Gleeson as Captain Andrew Henry, the straight arrow leader of the expedition.  You will recognize him as one of the Weasley twins in Harry Potter.  Those Potter kids are growing up fast!  Will Poulter, who was featured in “We’re the Millers” plays Bridger, a wet behind the ears good kid who is living a nightmare.

This film has it all.  The cinematography is superb.  Scenes are shot from unique angles which amplify the beauty of nature.  The director makes great use of super closeups of characters in amazing action sequences.  From grizzly bears to flying horses to Buffaloes on the run, you will not be bored.

One word of caution.  This movie is not for the squeamish.  There are scenes that may be a bit too much for some.  There is violence galore, and acts of desperation in an effort to survive that made me squirm a bit.  It seemed as though more than the usual number of moviegoers were taking bathroom breaks!!

I highly recommend this movie.  It is long, yet beautiful with a score to match.  Find the time and enjoy.  For maximum pleasure, choose a theater with a decent sized screen and a state of the art sound system.