Movie: The Revenant
Direction: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Duane Howard
Music: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Alva Noto
Cinematographer: Emmanuel Lubezki
Editor: Stephen Mirrione
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Western
Rating: ∗∗∗∗
What is it about: It a survival and revenge drama where a frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in 1820 is attacked by a bear and is left for dead by his men. The film is directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu who adapted the screenplay from the novel of the same title by Michael Punke.
Why it’s disappointing: The story line might be quite weak with basic elements, but the film-making trumps that portion in a grandeur way. Which might give you a feel that this might be quite overrated. The rating is for its technical beauty rather the story, which is very hard to match.
What to watch out for: This film has been in news on various medium for its stupendous film-making. Alejandro G. Iñárritu made a movie which is bold in every manner. Making a movie of this calibre really needs a solid gut. The film has quite a weak story line which baffles you at times, but the narration is laid out with impeccable technicalities.
The film right from the first frame till the last is a visual treat. You will be astound with the beauty with which it has been presented. Every frame spells artistry in a cinematic format. The film has quite a few gory scenes, which will definitely gross you out, you would get disgusted at places with the way a man could survive in the worst of conditions.
Leonardo Di Caprio is a gem of an actor, you give him a role which has an extreme infused in it, and he takes that beyond extreme. A talent which is rare in the industry and a talent which could make versatility conscious. He exuberates performance in a level which is hard to match.
While everyone is raving on Di Caprio’s performance, one may have ignored the perseverance of Tom Hardy. He is another rising star in Hollywood who is going to be counted among one of the best. In fact has already been in the list. He gave an outstanding performance which has an amazing shade when unravels, impresses you with no doubt.
The film has another character which is the soul of “The Revenant” that’s none other than the cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki. He has handled the camera like no one did ever before. The film boasts of cinematography with no artificial lights and yet it astounds you with delectable locations shot with utmost beauty. Every frame has a magic to it, you can’t take your eyes off the screen. He took the cinematography to a level which is going to be hard to match in coming decades. At least who ever tries will be told “That’s great, you did try The Revenant style”. When the credits rolled the director’s name was welcomed with applause and for the first time in a very long time the cinematographer’s name was welcomed with more enthusiasm. Every shot is a tutorial for the aspiring cinematographers.
The film runs for 156 minutes and it was well edited with great precision by Stephen Mirrione, who didn’t make the length feel like a drag. The score by Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto was subtle and matched the film perfectly.
All this was perfectly enveloped with a sound which surrounds your senses aptly giving you a lively experience as if you’re in the wild. Spectacular sound design, which compliments the delectable viewing experience.
Verdict: Alejandro G. Iñárritu painted a spectacle which spells bloody on a platter on the snowfield. It might be gory but the beauty around it shadows the goriness. Definitely worth a watch for its technical brilliance which leaves you in its awe. A jaw dropping experience on silver screen which is to be experienced in a technically sound cinema to get the maximum out of it.
