Before Watching: The Deer Hunter (1978)

Rating: 9/10 (6 September 2019)

"The Deer Hunter" (1978) is a gripping presentation of the impact of war on ordinary people. It is tough, and if you want to get as much out of it as possible, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before watching:
One of the most important things to know about this movie beforehand is that despite it being a war movie, Deer Hunter isn't really a war movie. It does feature the Vietnam War, but there are no grand skirmishes or heroic sacrifices like other war movies often tend to include. Instead, Deer Hunter treats the Vietnam War as a rough and even life-changing bump in the road for the main characters, who tries to cope with it the best they can. The war comes, and it goes. Most of the movie is made up of before-and-after, so do not expect longer elements of guerilla warfare. Expect instead to see life, as ordinary and mundane as it might be, and the devastating impact of the war on the minds of those who experience it.
With that clarification understood and accepted, it is critical to understand that this movie is still violent, disturbing and intense far beyond ordinary movies of today. Thanks to the built-up connection to the characters, the movie makes you sit at the edge of your seat for a good two hours straight. The occasional violence spikes through whatever defense constructed, all the more impactful thanks to its non-glorified yet brutal way. The mood is intense, even afterwards when it shouldn't be. You cling on to small events and minor dialogue like if it's were the very rope of your own life, and when it hits, it hits hard. This movie requires quite a psyche and mental endurance indeed.
There are minor things that should be addressed too that can add understanding and caution. Some of the details around the wedding stems from Russian tradition with added wedding rituals and manners. There is frequent profanity throughout the runtime, and one of the male characters is completely nude at a point. The film is also littered with symbolism, which certainly can be more greatly enjoyed at a second viewing for those who can mentally endure it twice.
All in all, the Deer Hunter is a hard-hitting, gripping drama that is sure to leave you a bit differently from what you were. Embrace yourself, and allow it to sink it.
My personal grade: a shocking 9/10. If you found this helpful, check my profile for more reviews.