The Deer Hunter movie review

Rating: 10/10 (22 January 2011)

In the time that I've observed this movie, it plays itself so beautifully that just the idea of watching it end is as sad as its story, and its tragic ending. "The Deer Hunter" is very different from most films. Aside from having some the best performances ever witnessed, the direction of both the films and its character's contribution to the film is like a play divided into acts. Act one centers around a group of Russian American Steel workers, Michael (Deniro), Nick (Walken) and Steven (Savage) all prepare for a journey that will change their lives, as much as those whom love them most. The setting is 1968, Clairton Pennsylvania, in the dark times of Vietnam. The film's leads are preparing for their service into Vietnam, enjoying their final days of fun and freedom with as much free spirit as any other day they went drinking, only to at some point lose that very spirit of hope at the wake of the dark times ahead. Aside from having the well talented leads, lets introduce the other members of this laid back, and almost family bonded group of friends. There's Axel (Aspegren) and his poetic ways of talking, Stan (Cazale) their womanizing, gun flinging nut, John (Welsh) their bartender, and Linda (Streep) Nick's girl. Just from seeing them sing so cheerfully in the bar, celebrating Stevens wedding to be, shows just how close this group is, and how devastating the very events to come will be. As many can remember, Vietnam was a Hell America never wishes to revisit. The damage done by Vietnam is well examined in the "The Deer Hunter", as it shows the effects of it's mental and social damages to so much more than just it's 3 leads. Michael and the gang prepare for quite a good bye, in their last Deer hunting trip, traveling up to the mountains. "One Shot" a quote made by the proud and very direct leader Michael. Michael character is both a likable, but on some occasions a very questionable guy, using a calm and serious attitude to motivate his actions through most of the film. He hunts deer with complete discipline, and he follows his friends with absolute loyalty. In the wake of the films second act, the Vietnam arc, we witness torture, inhumanities through the sadism of Russian Roulette, and even a mental penetration through the 3 friends, especially Nick, forever damaging their hopes of living a normal life. Michael comes back in one piece, Steven not so much, and Nick doesn't even come back home, using his pain and convinced belief of his friend's demise to bury his old life, and start a new, and only more tainted way of living. The 3rd and final act flows more nicely, as Michael's return home is explored with the typical mental anguish of all Vietnam vets, feeling not right in the head, as well as having a much more valuable understanding of life. With his one shot code, he misses his chance in hi latest chance at a deer. His bonding with Linda, grows even more, as his personal feeling for her become more open and more real, in the midst of their lips touching. Despite how charming the tone of the3rd act seemed it all came to end with the death of Nick. Upon discovering he was alive, Michael traveled to Saigon, hoping to keep his promise of never leaving him there, and bringing him home. His attempts at finding and returning Nick home are almost as chaotic as the images of the fall of Saigon. Nick's made quite name for himself in Russian Roulete, making the concept of gambling so much worth while in the eyes of the money grubbing monsters. As the American attraction, his state of mind is both cold and shattered, for upon his reunion with Michael, there is nothing. His memory is somewhere else, all caused by the drug abuse, and the very image war has caused for him. Michaels loyalty to his friend was strong enough to break through, but not enough to save him from what had already consumed him, or his friends war. "The Deer Hunter" is both a riveting exploration into the very damage done by war to both soldiers, and their surroundings. Director Michael Cimano gives each character something to have been affected by Vietnam. Michael no longer hunt deer, seeing the true nature of taking it's life, Nick couldn't even think right anymore that it drove him to running away and burying his old life in drug abuse and sadism. Steven's loss of his limbs affected both his marriage as well as his capabilities of talking to his wife. Basically Vietnam affected all of them. This whole group of friends began so happy, and ended so miserably, picking themselves off in Nick's funeral with the glory of America's national anthem, thus lifting their spirits from the dark abyss life had put them in. On a personal note, I think of this film is so much more than just an examination on the effects of War. I think it goes to examine the concept of life, and how it can just change so easily, affecting the way people continue, or chose to live it from that point. Aside from that note, it's a movie that I can call a personal favorite and truly extraordinary in both the acting and direction. It's also very oriented on trademarks, especially on the uses of its Russian religion in both the wedding scenes and even during their attributed toasts. The memorable trademark is the use of Russian roulette. I know it's very sick, and almost hard to watch, but it establishes itself as main negative factors towards several of the character's inner destruction.