Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy and Domnhall Gleeson
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Few actors in Hollywood have built a legacy as powerful as Tom Hardy. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Hardy has become an icon. Whether it’s baneful villains, professional wrestling brothers or lawless gangsers, Hardy has played many strong characters. Arguably, Hardy’s strength as an actor is his willingness to take risks. Through playing larger than life characters that aren’t always likeable, Hardy has built a legacy that’s powerful. He’s always been one of those actors with a strong screen presence that has elevated every movie he’s in regardless of its quality. Hardy’s commitment to playing every character through his method acting has made him an icon in entertainment. A commemorated British icon, Hardy has become a celebrated actor which audiences have grown to cherish. Throughout a lasting career, Hardy has made several unforgettable movies in various genres that are definitely without a single doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Hardy and adore all the films he has made throughout his illustrious career. However, “The Revenant” stands out as being my favourite. Following release back in 2016, Hardy’s movie has stood the test of time as a mesmerizing historical masterpiece. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging story and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest films about revenge ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Tom Hardy, who embodies a dangerous fur trader with evil motivations. Ultimately, what makes “The Revenant” a masterpiece is its powerful message. It delivers a strong message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most historical movies about set during the 19th Century, it discusses encompassing themes everyone would relate with. A mesmerizing masterpiece about vengeance, there are countless reasons why “The Revenant” is a film that is definitely worth seeing.
Set in the 1820s, “The Revenant” tells the story of a commemorated fur trader embarking on a journey to seek vengeance for murder of his family. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Hugh Glass, an adventurous frontiersman with love for going on adventure. Glass has always shared a strong bond with an Indigenous son (Forrest Goodluck). However, Glass’ life changes when he is betrayed by his frontiersman that plan his death. Following the heartbreaking death of his son, Glass embarks on a journey to seek revenge against the men that wronged him. At the centre of his vengeful list is John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Fitzgerald is a cruel fur trapper without a single shred of humanity. Embarking upon a journey to seek vengeance, Glass discovers the harsh reality of a century that’s defined by violence. Faced with a dilemma, Glass questions whether he would ever be able seek revenge against men which caused his family to experience severe trauma.
Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu is a newcomer to themes of survival. An extraordinary Mexican filmmaker, Innaritu has often made films about psychotic individuals. His Oscar-winning movie “Birdman” offered an engaging glimpse at the life of a theatre actor with harsh mental health issues facing adversities. With “The Revenant”, however, Inarritu created his first drama about survival. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers faced by fur traders which were driven to survive in the 19th Century, but he succeeded immensely. Through captivating cinematography, Inarritu captures a fur trader embarking on a journey seeking vengeance for murder of his family. Visually, the movie is an incredible feast for the eyes. Inarritu has often excelled at using handheld camera in his films to create tension, and “The Revenant” is truly no exception. Inarritu expertly uses handheld camera to capture a frontiersman seeking to survive a tumultuous era. For instance, shaky camera enhances the opening scene. During this unforgettable scene, Hugh Glass and his frontiersman attempt to evacuate a land that faces destruction. One appreciates handheld cinematography capturing the tensions faced by frontiersman. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in films. As James Cameron’s “Titanic” suggested, shaky camera enhances movies about shipwrecks. Nevertheless, the handheld camera worked immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Inarritu captures the terrifying tragedies endured by commemorated fur traders with a strong drive to survive.
Another positive aspect of “The Revenant” is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. One of the most common techniques Inarritu often uses in movies to emulate emotion is makeup. In “The Revenant”, Inarritu uses immersive makeup to capture a man surviving a bear attack causing tragedies. For instance, makeup enhances the bear mauling scene. During this unforgettable scene, Hugh Glass is attacked by a frightening bear which places his life in grave danger. One admires immersive makeup capturing a bloody aftermath of a bear attack. Through makeup, Inarritu creates a fur trader which audiences can easily relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Alva Nuto’s musical score is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that fear traders commonly bear. Through exceptional production design, Inarritu captures fur traders whose lives face decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “The Revenant” is a captivating classic which is compelling. Inarritu’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture the tensions faced by fur traders seeking to survive turmoil through silence. Throughout the movie, Inarritu deftly uses silence to capture the experience of fur traders that are haunted by the incidences of violence. For instance, silence enhances the scene where Hugh Glass finds his son’s dead body following his devastating death. It’s a beautiful scene without any dialogue that captures the hardships a fur trader is going through. Through using silence, Innaritu creates a larger than life character that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Most movies are driven by conversations that keep stories entertaining. As George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” did suggest clearly, scenes of silence elevate films about road warriors. Nevertheless, it succeeds immensely in this film. Through an impressive screenplay, Miller captures fur traders facing a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Tom Hardy delivers one of his greatest career performances as John Fitzgerald. Hardy first achieved appreciations for playing wrestlers. With “The Revenant”, however, he took on his most challenging role. It isn’t easy to portray a fur trader which commits atrocities during the 19th Century, but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and fully vulnerable in his most unforgettable role. Hardy has spent most his career playing heroic roles. With “The Revenant”, however, he took a step out of his comfort zone playing a despicable villain without humanity. With mesmerizing expressions, he embodies angst, desperation and villainous spirit of a fur trader on a journey of vengeance. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most exceptional actors working today.
Leonardo DiCaprio is dazzling as a fur trader seeking vengeance for the murder of his son causing sorrow. DiCaprio achieved fame for playing star-crossed lovers aboard doomed ships. With “The Revenant”, however, he took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a fur trader seeking to survive in the 19th Century. DiCaprio is one of those actors that has often shown intense commitment towards his roles, and it is evident in “The Revenant”. Whether he is getting mauled by a ferocious bear or finding his son dead causing despair, DiCaprio expertly uses his method acting to create a commemorated fur trader that’s compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and worthy of appreciation. Domnhall Gleeson is phenomenal, capturing the compassion of a fur trader that is driven to rescue the life of an injured companion. Will Poulter is powerful, bringing out the childish nature of a young frontiersman that isn’t aware his life is in danger. Lastly, Forrest Goodluck is worthy of appreciation. As Hugh Glass’ doomed son, he brings heartbreaking emotions to the movie.
Finally, “The Revenant” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing fur readers with an intense commitment. Unlike most films which are set in the 19th Century, the film discusses universal themes everyone would relate with. The movie tackles strong themes of survival, identity and vengeance which would definitely resonate amongst everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of fur traders in the 19th Century to appreciate the movie. It delivers a strong message regarding survival which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Revenant” is one of those rare movies about survival which everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Hardy would definitely appreciate “The Revenant” and so will movie-goers which seek enjoyable entertainment. A mesmerizing masterpiece capturing survival, it celebrates an actor that has created a legacy which has proven memorable.
Nearly 10 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about fur traders embarking on frightening journeys seeking vengeance for murders of families that are heartbreaking, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has gained a massive fan following through his abilities to portray multi-layered characters with personalities that are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 