Review of The Revenant (2015) by Matthew D — 11 Nov 2018

Nature has never felt so cold.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu has repeated his surprise art film success after Birdman (2014) with the truly harrowing survival film The Revenant (2015). Iñárritu brings a gritty realism to his epic western as The Revenant goes out of its way to feature actual natural surroundings and a plethora of practical effects. The ultra wide shots are as gorgeous as Iñárritu's close ups shots are gruesome and revealing.

Iñárritu's eye for directing magnificent vistas is as impressive as Emmanuel Lubezki's stunning cinematography. Whether it is capturing a realistic bear mauling in all its brutality or bracing for a blizzard, Iñárritu recreates everything with breathtaking detail and intimacy. I felt like I was right there with Hugh Glass in the harsh frontier wilderness.

The real draw here is Leonardo DiCaprio's performance of frontiersman and guide Hugh Glass. You are captivated by DiCaprio's grunts of pain and screams of agony. You really sympathize with his situation as you watch him endure hours of suffering and loss. DiCaprio adds an endearing elegance to all the violence in his portrayal of grief and vengeance. I think DiCaprio carries The Revenant throughout the entire journey. He elevates the movie into a gripping revenge odyssey.

On the other hand, Tom Hardy solidifies himself as a sturdy character actor to contend with in The Revenant. Hardy plays one of the most callous monsters in cinema as the John Fitzgerald. I love how thick Hardy went with his old frontiersman accent. His demonstration of humanity's depravity in his quest for money and pelts is something to behold. I think The Revenant features Hardy's best performance to date. This role shows greed, racism, cruelty, hatred, and a selfishness unheard of on the big screen.

Similarly, I certainly enjoyed the supporting roles from Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter. They seem so fearsome and scared that they complement the stronger characters of Glass and Fitzgerald nicely.

Lastly, I must mention the minimalist score in The Revenant from composers Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto. They keep you on the edge of your seat through all the gunfire, windstorms, and scalping. I think they really contribute to The Revenant's quiet atmosphere, while chiming in at the most compelling moments. Their score swells up at the musical cues with an inspiring and rising sound.

In all, The Revenant is more of an experience than just a traditional movie. It is a beautiful display of loving filmmaking, but also a massive testament to human potential for good and evil. The Revenant is as classy as modern westerns get, while delving into the perseverance of man. I appreciate all that went into The Revenant even more after a second viewing.