Life torn by war

Rating: 8/10 (12 June 2016)

Michael Cimino, the director, has left us one powerful piece of work in this movie which is a portrait of small town life and how It is devastated by the war in Vietnam. The character development is superb with an outstanding cast of DeNiro, Walken, Streep, Savage and others. The small community in Western Pennsylvania is beautifully captured in the bar scenes, the wedding, the hunting trip, and the working life of the male characters in the local steel factory. I did notice the snowy mountains which didn't quite fit with my impression of Pennsylvania and it seems these were shot in Washington State. Not a huge deal given the calibre of the movie but I'm sure this wouldn't escape the notice of some viewers. The bond of friendship between DeNiro as Mike and Walken as Nick is sharply defined in the first hour and this relationship Is the basis for the story, which moves from Pennsylvaia to Vietnam and back again. We also see the angst heighten as the characters approach the day of Steve's wedding followed by their departure for Vietnam. The change in settings comes abruptly but flows seamlessly. The movie has dramatic war scenes that contrast with the beauty of the mountains where the deer hunting takes place. Graphic and shocking scenes in Vietnam heighten the sense of alienation from small town life in America. The movie is long but the script, the acting and imagery keep viewers riveted to this excellent story and its stunning photography.