De Niro's best; a breathtaking film that must be seen

Rating: 10/10 (21 July 1999)

The Deer Hunter is perhaps the greatest De Niro movie ever made, and that is saying a lot. However, it is so much more than a De Niro movie.

Once you see this Cimino masterpiece (the only watchable movie by the one-hit wonder director) you will have a irrepressible urge to see it again, despite it being three hours long. Thankfully I was not in 'nam , so I cannot comment on how realistic the film's portrayal of war is, but I can comment on how realistic the characters in the movie are. Seldom do films take you so deep into a character's personality and make them as real as this movie does.
I have never watched a movie scene as haunting as the roulette scene in The Deer Hunter. De Niro was at his absolute best, so if you are reading Deer Hunter reviews because you admire De Niro's work, you cannot be a fan without seeing this scene. This movie also contains Christopher Walken's undisputed finest work as well.
The Deer Hunter is very well written, with every minute of every scene being crucial to the viewer's final take on the movie. Watch this movie in an environment that allows you to take in its breadth and magnificence without distraction. I've talked to some people who found the wedding scene to be boring, but to say that is an atrocity! The wedding scene is so important to the rest of the movie (especially the conversation with the 'nam vet) that I cannot possibly describe it in words.
If there is such a thing as a perfect movie, this would be it, along with the likes of Bridge on the River Kwai, Apocalypse Now, and Five Easy Pieces. If you like good movies, you have know choice but to see The Deer Hunter.