Movie Review: The Revenant

Leonard DiCaprio and Tom Hardy's Commitment to their Characters are Only Reward for Audience

On Sunday, The Revenant brought home the Golden Globes for Best Director, Best Lead Actor in a Drama, and Best Picture. So naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about. And after two-and-a-half hours sitting, digesting, and taking in this Alejandro Inarritu epic about a frontiersman who seeks revenge on the man who betrays him, I'm still at a loss for words. Not because the movie blew me away, but because I don't really know what to think of it.

Here's what I do know. I probably won't see it again. I have no desire to. It's slow, brutal torture for the audience watching Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) suffer through abandonment, betrayal, freezing temperatures, and incredibly painful wounds that seem too serious to heal in such a short span. It was a brutal watch that is not for weak-hearted. 

But my personal opinion aside, this film should be the watershed moment in Leonardo DiCaprio's acting career. If he doesn't win an Oscar for his performance, I don't think he'll ever win one. What DiCaprio achieves in this role is legendary. 

Even though he's mauled by a bear, Hugh Glass (DiCaprio)
wears a bear pelt the entire movie.

It's full commitment. He goes for broke and goes through the ringer while trying to portray Glass. He fully embraces his character, both mentally and physically, despite saying about 50 words in the first two hours of the movie. Seriously, after being attacked by a grizzly bear, the only sounds you hear from DiCaprio are muffled groans and screams. The fact that he is able to so much without uttering a word is fucking masterful. I genuinely felt bad for the guy the entire movie, and because of that, it became rather difficult to enjoy it.

He crawled, limped, and swam his way back to the home post doing everything in his power to survive, whether that means eating live fish, sleeping inside a horse carcas, or eating raw Buffalo hide. Freezing cold and blinding blizzards certainly made matters worse, and all of this while being chased by the Pawnee Tribe. But when he finally meets up with his nemesis, there is no happy ending. It was just an ending. 

DiCaprio committed to his role 100 percent, and as incredible as it may sound, Tom Hardy matched him scene for scene. Hardy, who is also known for his incredible portrayal and immersion into his character, did just that as John Fitzgerald. As Glass's partner, not necessarily a friend, Fitzgerald hated the Pawnee tribe, as he was only interested in money and how he would make out. He didn't care for anyone else. He cared about getting paid and getting home alive, and he would hurt and "kill" anyone who stood in his way. With it being award season, I honestly can't believe he isn't getting any buzz as a supporting actor. He's brilliant. 

Tom Hardy deserves an Oscar nomination for his role
as John Fitzgerald

But regardless of its brutality, this movie was made for awards. The cinematography is some of the best I've ever seen, and it has to be. In the spacious wilderness, and in the dead of winter, the scenery tells the story. Whether it's mountains, long-running rivers, or snowy peaks, they're playing as large a role as DiCaprio and Hardy. You can just tell how cold and brutal the conditions are. The setting is just as important as the actors in this case, because it plays such a prominent role in how Glass survives. 

But while I found it difficult to enjoy at times, I felt satisfied at the end. I believe audiences will too. Even though the movie is slow and dragging at times, you have to truly appreciate DiCaprio's and Hardy's commitment to their craft. No half-assing here. You don't have to like the film in order to appreciate its redeeming qualities. They gave the audience everything they had in order to give them a rewarding experience, and for that, I say thank you.

Ruby Rating 7/10