The Revenant – Review

Even though director Alejandro Inarritu has been making films for a number of years, his recent success with Birdman has recently propelled him to the forefront of premiere film making.  What makes it all the more remarkable is distinctly different The Revenant is from his previous works.

The Revenant stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the title character and Tom Hardy as his nemesis.  You almost don’t even need to ask any more questions because a DiCaprio & Hardy combination is destined to be amazing.  The film is set in the early 19th century American western frontier.  Tragedy strikes, DiCaprio experiences a very near death experience, and comes back for retribution against the man who wronged him.

DiCaprio’s performance is simply amazing.  The majority of the films is a long biopic of what his character endures and overcomes.  This is paired with many wide-angle shots of the awe-inspiring scenery of the American frontier during that time period.  Everything comes together into a deeply moving package which will leave you questioning your own petty foibles.

Life is filled with hardship.  While no one is able to pick what hardship they are afflicted with, everyone decides how they will deal with such hardship.  What is important in your life?  Are you able to answer and appreciate that question without going through a near-death experience?  What are your goals?  What are you willing to put yourself through to accomplish your goals?  The Revenant constantly prods at these questions.

“Blood Lost. Life Found.”  This is the phrase used in some of the advertising.  The apt description is made all the more interesting because The Revenant could fit this description as written, or in the reversed order.  Is it the tragedy followed by purpose, or purpose followed by tragedy?  This is what makes this film so great.  Not only does it do a superb job telling a heart pounding story, but it also forces you to think of questions many people usually try to avoid.