Inspired by true events, Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s “The Revenant” has proven to be a box office slam, full of high-intensity action and emotional depth.
“The Revenant” bears the weight of internal struggle and survival with almost incomparable attention to detail. Leonardo DiCaprio provides his usual exceptional performance—this time as Hugh Glass, a member of a fur-trapping expedition in pre-Civil War Dakota Territory. Glass is attacked by a bear and left for dead after a member of his hunting team murders his only son.
DiCaprio is an actor who famously immerses himself into his characters, and “The Revenant” is no exception. He is notable for films like “The Departed” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” but “The Revenant” allowed his dedication to shine even more. DiCaprio’s ability to create a likeable, emotional character out of very little dialogue further promotes his ability as an acting superpower.
Many DiCaprio movies capitalize on his performance, minimizing the need to create imagery and filmography. However “The Revenant” uses innovative wide-angle distortions that compliment DiCaprio’s performance and make for a well-rounded film. The movie is exceptional— both in terms of acting and cinematography.
DiCaprio’s acting, paired with the leadership of Academy Award-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, creates an energizing, thought-provoking, cinematic experience.
Iñárritu, who directed the 2014 Best Picture “Birdman (or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance),” shows his impeccable storytelling ability throughout “The Revenant.” Through Iñárritu’s leadership, “The Revenant” proves that with proper direction, the artistic ability of film is much more than dialogue and acting.
The imagery throughout the film is exceptional and self-conscious. Ińárritu’s decision to incorporate photographic stills and nature segments throughout the movie further promote film’s ability to evoke emotion.
“The Revenant” is primal; it doesn’t require any attention to hidden detail or background knowledge. It implores viewers to simply evoke their human emotions.
This is a film that excels in every category from casting to filmography. Movies that don’t focus on heavy dialogue and plot rarely succeed at captivating an audience, but “The Revenant” is certainly an exception.
rootcm14@bonaventure.edu
