What I think about The Revenant

Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu 

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass, Tom Hardy as John Fitzgerald, Will Poulter as Jim Bridger, and Domnhall Gleeson as Major Andrew Henry

Released in 2015

The Revenant begins in the early 1800s with a group of North-American trappers (with Major Andrew Henry in charge) being led by Hugh Glass to a fort after being attacked by Native Americans. While out scouting, Glass is mauled by a bear and Henry offers money for people to stay with him and bury him when he dies. Hawk, Glass’ half-Native son, young Jim Bridger, and bitter John Fitzgerald volunteer. Fitzgerald tries to kill Glass but is caught by Hawk, who Fitzgerald then kills. Fitzgerald hides the body and convinces Bridger they are going to be attacked, and so they abandon Glass. Glass becomes mobile shortly thereafter and begins his journey to the fort, seeking vengeance on Fitzgerald.

Glass: He has everything to lose. All I had was that boy - and he took him from me.

Before I get properly started, there are a few myths to dispel about this movie. One, it’s good because Leo actually ate raw meat, no. I mean that’s impressive and all but it doesn’t really add to the movie in any way. Two, that it’s good because Leo actually climbed inside a horse, no. Same reason. Three, that Leo’s acting is in any way good, let alone Oscar-worthy. NO. Leo’s acting in this is decent at best and embarrassing at worst. He’s at his best when he’s unable to speak and struggling, and actually communicates quite a lot through his eyes and facial movements. When he’s speaking, this disappears and he slips into a really inconsistent Southern accent. It’s sad that he is the worst part of a fantastic film for which he actually won an Oscar.

Fitzgerald: You're forgettin' your place, boy.
Glass: Far as I can tell, my place is right here on the smart end of this rifle.

This film also won Oscars for directing and cinematography, both of which are absolutely deserved. Both the sweeping landscape shots and the free-moving camera, as if omnipresent, in other shots is excellent and gives a real feel for the drama. One nominee which unfortunately did not win an Oscar was Tom Hardy in Best Supporting Role. Hardy utterly steals this film. Every scene he's in is close to bursting with tension and he acts the hell out of Fitzgerald, making him understandable, sympathetic, and even, for a moment, admirable. This is a man who has been shown immense cruelty in the form of partial scalping, and no longer has restraint for his own cruelty, which he utilises at several points to his convenience, notably when he tells Glass to blink if he wants to die, and stands coldly over him as Glass struggles to keep his eyes open (also the best piece of acting from Leo).

My main criticism of the film is the way in which it tells Glass' backstory: dream sequences. They feel disjointed and out of place, like they're spelling out the theme of the film for you. Speaking of which: the theme feels a little incoherent. I'm pretty sure it was that revenge isn't worth it and to let go of grudges, even though that's what kept Glass alive, which is after all the entire narrative: Glass survives. This makes the ending pretty weak, and after such a fantastically brutal fight scene.

Fitzgerald: You came all this way just for your revenge, huh? Well you enjoy it, Glass. 'Cuz there ain't nothin' gon' bring your boy back.

All in all The Revenant is pretty great. I had to think real hard to reach the criticisms I have because the film is so distractingly excellent in every other aspect. I rate this film 8/10 and recommend it to everyone except people with a really really weak stomach.