Review of The Deer Hunter (1978) by Bradley W — 27 Jan 2012

The Deer Hunter is not what I would consider a war film, but a movie that shows what war can do a mans life. We get a slight scene at the start of the film where a bride at a wedding spills wine on her dress during a special ritual showing that there is trouble lying ahead for our characters. This was a beautiful thing showing us that there lives are going to turn bad as the story progresses. I found this to be a story driven by characters who are what show the audience what war does and can do to even the average man with a good life. From every little detail this director pulls out all the guns to make this one of the greatest movies in the history of film.

The story follows trio of friends named Micheal, Stevie, and Nick who live normal lives, have normal jobs, and do normal stuff. Michael (Robert DeNiro) is in love with his best friend Nicks (Christopher Walken) girlfriend Linda (Meryl Streep). Soon they all enlist for the Vietnam war where they think they will return to their lives peacefully. This fabrication in their mind could not be farther from the truth.

The plot seemed simple to me at first, but then I realized it was anything but simple. It is a movie that tells us the story of not only characters but of what the horrors of war can do to a human being, such as other Vietnam war movies like Full Metal Jacket or Apocalypse Now. Even though I adore those films, this goes into much more detail about character development and how war changes you psychologically. I truly believe you can never be the same after war, but I cannot say that for I have never been to it, but I think its true, and this movie proves it in a way. The characters were quickly likable because they are just average joes making a living and being friends, which makes their story even more sad to watch. If you did not get interested by this story and its incredibly detailed characters than I urge you to just stop watching movies completely.

The cast is honestly one of the best ensemble performances I have ever seen. Robert DeNiro is one a small list that I consider the greatest actors of all time, and this movie is just another performance that proves he is the ultimate badass and possibly THE greatest actor of all time. Christopher Walken just never fails me, I don't know if its his voice or his acting but this just may be his best role he has ever done. Meryl Streep is without a doubt the beat actress I can think of, she is so perfect with every role she does and this movie is one of the films at the start of her long career that defined her as the greatest actress of all time. This cast all impressed me and I will honestly say this may be one of the greatest casts of all time.

The Deer Hunter is a three hour long masterpiece that I can honestly say shows what war can do to a man better than any other war film I have seen. Like I said I do not really consider it much of a war film like Saving Private Ryan or All Quiet on the Western Front because there really is not battles in this movie, just characters that lead us through 180 minutes of pure genius. I found myself loving every minute and wanting to know the outcome of the characters, making it one of my favorite films of all time.