‘The Revenant’ shows strength, sheer human will

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Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in “The Revenant” might be the last to defend the Second Amendment’s right to arm bears. In the most physically challenging role of his celebrated career, DiCaprio delivers a viscerally raw performance in this brutal tale of man vs. nature, man vs. man, ultimate test of human endurance and the will to survive.

Maybe as a reflection of our times, 2015 was the cinematic year of survival against all odds. Major films included “The Martian,” “In the Heart of the Sea,” “Everest” and “A Walk in the Woods.” In each case, the challenges were portrayed so realistically, we identified with the ordeal based on our own trials and tribulations, for better and worse.

This film is so formidable, Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu (“Birdman” 2014) will most likely be nominated for his second consecutive Academy Award. In “Birdman,” Iñárritu shot the entire film in what appeared to be one continuous shoot. It was exceptionally innovative and fascinating to watch, even if it seemed somewhat gimmicky.

Here, Iñárritu is more selective with his extended camera takes, but includes scenes that continue for many minutes at a time, without edits, to place the viewer more authentically into the scene. At times, the dialog can be sparse (no dialog in last five minutes), but the actors are never at a loss for advancing the serious storyline and chilling drama (pun intended). The blockbuster action includes realistic violence, but is never gratuitous.

Ron and Leigh Martel
Movie Reviewers, The Friday Flyer

Filmed mostly in the Canadian Rockies, the cinematography, by Emmanuel Lubezki, is astounding. Like a Disney Wildlife Adventure, the stunning beauty is breathtaking, but after each panorama, instead of cutting to a tight shot of a cute squirrel, each Lubezki frame confirms and reminds us of the overwhelming and unforgiving forces of nature.

Inspired by true events, this is the misadventure of an 1823 hunting party in the untamed American wilderness. It includes legendary explorer Hugh Glass (DiCaprio), their able leader Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson), eventual mountain legend Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) and the weasel John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). They barely escape a vicious Indian raid that kills half their group, while many pelts are stolen.

With a 200-mile mountain trek to safety, Glass is brutally mauled by a bear. An unwanted burden on the survivors, he is left for dead in a shallow grave by his “friends.” In horrific pain and unable to move much at all, he must gather the physical strength and power of the human spirit to survive the arduous terrain, frigid weather, marauding Indians, dubious French trappers and members of his own hunting party.

Driven by sheer will and a deep hunger for retribution, Glass begins a saga of pain and internal fortitude to navigate his way back to civilization. Fortunately or unfortunately, he is one of the few during these early days that actually know just how treacherous this merciless journey will be in these intolerable conditions.

During filming, several crew members quit due to severe working conditions, including icy weather, remote locations, limited daylight shooting hours and Iñárritu’s temperament. When production fell behind, the snow melted. So, production was moved to Argentina, adding to the frustration and cost. Tom Hardy objected to his required stunts, but agreed when Iñárritu allowed Hardy to choke him out in front of the entire crew.

“The Revenant” is 156 minutes and rated R for frontier combat and violence, including gory images, a sexual assault, language and brief nudity. The intent was to leave the audience with a misery index around 97. It is painfully raw and discomforting, leaving the audience physically exhausted and emotionally spent, for some, in a good way.

Instead of “Revenant,” French meaning “return” (or “ghost”), maybe the title should have been “Relentless,” which describes every facet of this film. Either way, Iñárritu has once again made a bold impression on the film industry. If he wins the Oscar again, will Trump ask for his return to Mexico? Does a grisly bear sleep in the woods?

Ron’s Rating: A-   Leigh’s Rating: D