'The Revenant' - Review

Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter.
Release Date (UK): January 15

The process of making The Revenant has been highly publicised, with the actor's endurance in the harsh weather conditions and unforgiving all - natural environment highlighted especially. However, no discussion about the production of the picture can prepare you for the incredibly immersive experience and depiction of the true reality of nature - it has to be seen the be believed.

The Revenant follows a group of fur trappers and hunters who are confronted by the Arikara and are forced to abandon their position and track a new course whilst still being pursued. The group are slowed down when the group's guide, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), is horrifically mauled in a bear attack. After being left for dead and witnessing the death of his son in the hands of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), Glass must overcome his substantial injuries and navigate the treacherous terrain and environment to exact his revenge.

The immersive and wholly visceral experience of The Revenant is largely due to the cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki. The opening sequence in which the hunting party is ambushed is truly a sight to behold, and reminiscent of Lubezki's work in Birdman (also directed by Alejandro G. Inarritu) where the impression of a long, continuous take is given. The camera swoops amongst the action, effortlessly gliding between one depiction of violence to another and encompassing the scope of the location and brutally capturing the events. However, the most brutal scene in the film is the attack on Glass by the grizzly bear who was protecting her cubs. The sequence is a cinematic landmark and will certainly develop a legacy in its own right. DiCaprio's performance is nothing short of brilliant in this sequence, especially taking into consideration that his screen partner was a CGI creation.

For the majority of the picture, DiCaprio's character is in the sole company of the wilderness, and Lubezki's inspired and ambitious creative decision to shoot the film using entirely natural light only enhances the feeling of the audience experiencing Hugh Glass' turbulent journey. The use of natural light allowed Lubezki to simultaneously capture the beauty and harshness of the environment and conditions that Glass (and DiCaprio) had to endure.

As previously mentioned, DiCaprio spends a great deal of time without a screen partner, resulting in a very physical as opposed to verbal and dialogue driven performance. However, he is nevertheless effective in communicating every human's basic instinct to survive and commands every single frame he is in; his performance here will most likely garner DiCaprio his long overdue and allusive Academy Award for Best Actor. Tom Hardy is also impressive as John Fitzgerald, the film's antagonist as he proposes the reasoning behind his character's actions and offers complexities far beyond the tropes of the moustache - twirling villain. For example, with the threat of the Arikara ever present, Fitzgerald's every-man-for-himself approach isn't hard to fathom. The film also has strong supporting performances from Domhnall Gleeson (Captain Andrew Henry) and Will Poulter (Jim Bridger), although their character's naive nature and evident lack of experience makes it too easy for Fitzgerald to succeed and deceive.

Although Hugh Glass' physical pain is thoroughly explored, his emotional pain as a result of losing his son is never fully realised - perhaps this is because the relationship and connection between the two wasn't written effectively, or arguably because DiCaprio's youthful appearance prevents him from convincingly playing the father of a young adolescent. Additionally, extensive portions of the film see Glass suffering from the elements and recovering from his wounds as he valiantly makes his way back to base. As previously stated, DiCaprio has little dialogue and is alone through long stretches of the film, resulting in occasional bouts of the audience's patience being tested as they will the action on.

Despite the long running time and the film's infrequent indulgent nature, the breathtaking cinematography and memorable performances ensures that The Revenant is one of the most truly cinematic films that you will ever experience.