The Revenant

Since the first trailers of this movie came out I knew it would be an experience. Following the incredible Birdman, director Alejandro G. Iñárritu had the public anxiously awaiting his interpretation of this bleak survival story, and much like Birdman, Iñárritu is also the star of this film. The Revenant has some of the most beautiful cinematography I've ever seen. It's cold, visceral, and almost entirely authentic from the use of natural lighting to the barebones yet powerful storytelling. You can tell Iñárritu poured his heart into this project and it pays off tremendously. This is not to discount the incredible performances of DiCaprio and Hardy (DiCaprio finally getting his well-overdue Oscar), but it's hard to imagine the movie being so impactful had another director been at the helm. The story is as simple as it gets. In the 1800s, a group of settlers escape an ambush by an indigenous tribe, and during their travels one man gets separated from the group and gets brutally attacked by a wild bear and subsequently left for dead by his team. It's a revenge story more than anything. What it also highlights is human perseverance and the will to live. The things that happen to this man are truly horrific and difficult to watch. I'm not sure what parts of the story were embellished or Hollywoodized, but this film sucks you into this world and puts you right alongside this fatally wounded man desperate to survive. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a heart-wrenching performance as Hugh Glass, expressing a wide range of emotions despite the limited dialogue. Tom Hardy is also phenomenal as one of the most vile, wretched human beings on the planet. This guy is despicable to the core, and you forget you're watching Tom Hardy at times because he's completely absorbed in the role. The supporting cast is great as well despite their small time on screen. As far as performances and cinematography goes, The Revenant is flawless. What prevents this from getting a perfect 10 is one particular storyline that I didn't think was needed, and it involves the wife of Hugh Glass. She's never developed as a character but she appears intermittently in visions and dreams and it almost sucks you out of the movie for a second because of how intense the main narrative is. But this is a very small gripe. From beginning to end this movie had me on the edge of my seat, my jaw on the floor and my eyes glued to the screen. The Revenant is definitely not for everyone, but it's impossible not to appreciate it for the breathtaking cinematic achievement that it is. Read more

good movie good audience engagement, end was typical but overall enjoyable. the music is awesome wouldn't make a good stand alone track but works so very well with the movie.. Read more

A fantastic story, gut wrenching and heavy. Watch it for yourself to see this amazing movie. Read more

OMG Leonardo was stellar in this role. I found out about this movie on Instagram and was thrilled that I could watch with my Prime subscription. It was absolutely riveting, horrifying and tear jerking at the same time. I will have to watch it again to see the parts I closed my eyes and turned away from. Excellent movie. Read more

The Reverent is based on the true story of Hugh Glass, a trapper and frontiersman in the wilderness of what is now parts of Montana and South Dakota. The setting is the vast wilderness of this beautiful area in 1823 where Glass was hired to lead his friend Captain Henry and several trappers through the vast and dangerous wilderness. Glass brought his half Indian son along with him which alone brings a lot of tension in the camp. Glass is mauled by a grizzly bear and manages to survive, but barely. Rather than stay with the group, Captain Henry offers to pay anyone who will stay with Glass and give him a proper burial if he should die. Fitzgerald and a young man who is rather gullible agree to stay. Fitzgerald hates Glass's son because of his heritage and tries to kill Glass not long after the Captain leaves with the other men. Glass's son, Hawk, tries to call for help and Fitzgerald kills him and hides his body. The two men abandon Glass in the wilderness and set out for the Fort with Glass's gun and equipment. When they arrive, they inform Captain Henry that Glass died and that they gave him a proper burial. The story follows Glass as he makes his way alone in the wilderness. His thoughts of revenge against those who killed his son and left him to die is all that keeps him going. The movie does a great job of capturing the amazing scenery and Leonardo DiCaprio, as Glass, does an amazing job of acting in this movie. Although, it was very interesting there were times when it was difficult to hear what the actors were saying and the movie seemed to go on an on. I do recommend the movie, however, because the acting and the scenery were enough of a reason to watch! Read more

Great movie Read more

Great movie 🍿 Read more

Great movie! Read more