The Revenant (2015) is an intense and emotional movie experience capturing one man’s incredible survival journey and the remarkable power of the human spirit, based on true events. The film is largely based on a true story and is based on Michael Punke’s novel Revenant published in 2002.
Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, The Revenant is based on a true story of an early 19th century. It was in 2016 that the film won Academy Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role by Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Achievement in Directing by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Best Achievement in Cinematography. In addition to this, the film also got nine other Oscar nominations.
The initial few minutes reveals its story purpose to be both a mystical reflection on death and re-birth. Set in 1800s in America, the story revolves around Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), a hunter and fur dealer. Glass’ late Pawnee wife, died when her village was wiped out by French invaders years before.
He is attacked by a bear while on an expedition in the mountains with a group and his half-native American son Hawk. The leader of the team Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson) requests that three members stay with Glass and give him a proper burial. However, he is abandoned by the men who promised to be by his side.
John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) as antagonist is brilliantly cast as you understand his evil intentions behind his deeds from the introduction of the character. Glass wanted to live but Fitzgerald tries to suffocate him so that he can get paid without waiting for hours for his death. Hawk arrives after witnessing Fitzgerald suffocating his father which leads to a fight. He stabs Hawk in the abdomen before letting him bleed out while Glass watches helplessly.
Glass drags himself to see justice served on the men who mistreated him despite being hounded by the harsh winter, hunted by the Indians and gravely injured. He encounters a lot of things during this journey.
The emotional turmoil and adamant desire for revenge leads Glass to Fitzgerald in the end where both have a fight with each other. Even during this, Fitzgerald says that killing him would not bring his son back. He lets the Indians kill Fitzgerald and they spare Glass.
The closing scene shows Glass in tears having a vision of his wife. He is once again alone in his life.
With brilliance and authenticity, Leonardo DiCaprio plays one of the most intense performances in film history as he brings Hugh Glass to life with little conversation.
Cinematography is on a whole another level that deserves to be recognised. Each frame, the snow, close up shots, struggles are carefully taken by the director giving attention to even the minute things. Despite the fact that the picture is violent, I believe that the tale requires such components to depict life and struggle as it is and that what makes this film a unique one which let it bag three Oscars.
Image source official Facebook page of The Revenant.
