Film review: The Revenant (4 out of 5)

Leonardo DiCaprio is pretty much a safe bet for the Oscar tomorrow as leading actor for this intense and atmospheric movie.
Leonardo DiCaprio in The RevenantLeonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant

And I’ve no problem with that.

It’s a role that demands some solid acting skills in the most difficult of locations and in really inhospitable conditions.

But to win the best picture gong it’s all about the details and The Revenant falls short for me in that respect.

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The movie is set in the 1820s with a group of frontiersmen on a fur hunting mission, along with their guide Hugh Glass (DiCaprio).

But they are attacked by native Indians and in their trek back to their fort Glass is attacked by a bear.

In a shocking physical state, he’s left for dead and has to make his way through all manner of extra hardships and severe cold to safety.

The action is intense and very graphic on occasion but gives a real sense of the period.

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However, I did feel at some stages that I was watching a super-hero movie, as Glass recovers from some extremely punishing situations - and that’s after being mauled by a massive bear!

But that may be just me being finicky.

With DiCaprio leading the way, the whole cast is very strong, particularly Tom Hardy as one of the hunters, grunting and growling his way through the snow.

Director Alejandro González Iñárritu brings out the best of the locations, with beautiful vistas and spectacular snow scenes.

It’s a lovingly crafted film, albeit extremely long.

Overall, though, it’s a masterful piece of work that will deserve the Oscar plaudits, but I’m not sure any human being could cope with half of what Glass goes through!

Film details: The Revenant (15) 156mins

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter

Screening courtesy of Horsham Capitol

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