Director: Michael Cimino
Starring: Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors that achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or cruel gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a celebrated legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created an enduring legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his lasting career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “The Deer Hunter” is truly my favourite. Released in 1978, Michael Cimino’s movie offered a bold portrait of the Vietnam war. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and exceptional acting, it’s one of the greatest war movies made. At the centre of it all is a brilliant performance by Robert De Niro, who portrays a troubled soldier enduring sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Deer Hunter” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most war movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about Vietnam war, there are many strong reasons why “The Deer Hunter” is a commemorated war film that is worth seeing.
Set in 1960’s, “The Deer Hunter” tells the story of a group of war veterans which face disaster. Robert De Niro plays Michael Vronsky, a strong deer hunter that with huge dreams. Michael is a strong leader that has always had ambition to be a soldier. Michael’s dreams soon come true when he is given the chance to participate in the Vietnam war with fervour. Accompanied by his longtime companion Nick (Christopher Walken), Michael seeks to participate in wars causing destruction. However, Michael’s hopes are crushed when he discovers the traumatic consequences of warfare disaster. As all odds become stacked against his favour, Michael is forced to wonder whether it’s possible to be a successful soldier. Faced with trauma, Michael questions whether he can survive war causing a dilemma.
Michael Cimino is a newcomer towards stories of war. Before he directed “The Deer Hunter”, Cimino had never made a war movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey the harsh realities faced by soldiers in the Vietnam war causing tragedy but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Cimino captures a troubled soldier that embarks on a journey to discover his identity. Cimino successfully uses handheld camerawork to capture the lives of troubled soldiers in a war causing adversities. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the warfare scene. During this intense scene, Michael seeks to participate on the front lines of the Vietnam war causing tension. Through stunning handheld camera, Cimino honours a legendary war in a past era. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver” suggested, handheld camera enhances movies about troubled taxi drivers. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Cimino captures the painful realities of a war which is frightening.
Another strong aspect of “The Deer Hunter” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Cimino effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of troubled soldiers facing adversity. Throughout the film, Michael’s bold costumes showcase his strong transformation in a troubled soldier experiencing tension. For instance, strong costumes elevate the Russian roulette scene. During this memorable scene, Michael participates in a bold game of Russian Roulette causing tension. Through captivating costumes, Cimino creates a portrait of warfare that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Stanley Myers’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that soldiers in warfare bear. Through powerful production, Cimino captures soldiers enduring tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “The Deer Hunter” is a war movie which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs non-linear storytelling to capture tensions soldiers are facing. The film deftly switches back and forth between two distinct timelines: the flashbacks of Michael’s joyous life before warfare and the present day scenes of life as a grim soldier. For instance, non-linear storytelling elevates the traumatic warfare scene. During this memorable scene, Michael recalls tragic memories of his past life as a troubled soldier. Through ingenious non-linear storytelling, Cimino creates a portrait of soldiers which audiences can easily relate to. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather: Part Two” claimed, non-linear story elevates gangster films. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Cimino captures soldiers facing a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his best career performances Michael Vronsky. De Niro first earned appreciation for playing troubled taxi drivers in crime films. With “The Deer Hunter”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a troubled soldier facing adversity, but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and determination of a soldier facing tensions. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the greatest actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of recognition. Christopher Walken is captivating, capturing the determination of a soldier that suffers from trauma causing family tension. Meryl Streep is magnificent, capturing an authority of a woman that grows concerned about her husband’s participation in war which causes tragedy. Lastly, John Cazale deserves appreciation. As a troubled soldier, he brings a sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “The Deer Hunter” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing soldiers facing disaster. Unlike most movies about the Vietnam war, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the Vietnam war’s history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Deer Hunter” is one of those rare war movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Robert De Niro would definitely appreciate “The Deer Hunter” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A mesmerizing masterpiece about the Vietnam war, it honours an actor that’s inspiring.
Nearly 60 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about soldiers participating in intense warfare, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built an impressive career through his abilities to portray compelling characters in a wide variety of memorable movies about which audiences deeply care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 