Hits its audience hard.

Rating: 9/10 (12 August 2018)

An epic film about both friendship, and the tragic effects that stressful experiences can have on the mind, "The Deer Hunter" would have to be considered the true magnum opus of the late director Michael Ciminos' career. It brilliantly captures the feel of a small working-class town (Clairton) in Pennsylvania, and the camaraderie among a tight-knit group of buddies.
It's divided into three parts: their lives before, during, and after their tours of duty in Vietnam. It's a very long but engrossing picture that takes characters and viewers alike on a very emotional journey. It's sensitive, beautifully acted, and extremely well shot in widescreen by Vilmos Zsigmond.
Robert De Niro (Michael), John Cazale (Stan), John Savage (Steven), Christopher Walken (Nick), George Dzundza (John), and Chuck Aspegren (Axel) are the friends in question, and at no time do they not feel like real people. Real, flawed, but compelling people whom you really come to love by the end of the picture. Steven and Nick have definitely been shattered by their time in 'Nam, leading to some heartbreaking moments. Indeed, Walken does some of the finest acting of his career, and his Supporting Actor Oscar win was merited. Meryl Streep also shines as Nicks' girlfriend, distraught when for a period of time he seems to disappear into thin air.
As has been said, this is not really a film *about* the Vietnam War, and one shouldn't let their political inclinations affect the way they view what is ultimately an interesting character study. One review was correct in saying that these could have been any small-town characters struggling to get by during any time of war.
Walken and Savage contribute the standout turns, but this is also a nice showcase for character players like Dzundza, Rutanya Alda (as Stevens' bride), Shirley Stoler (as his mom), and Joe Grifasi. Sadly, poor Cazale was dying of cancer during production and he passed away before he could even see the finished film. Roy Scheider had originally been cast as Michael, but walked off the film after major creative differences. Still contractually bound to Universal, this is why he ended up having to do "Jaws 2".
Sometimes intense, and sometimes harrowing, this may demand a fair amount of your time, but the rewards are substantial.
Nine out of 10.