Gritty film can hardly be called entertainment...

Rating: Null/10 (23 May 2001)

I have to admit I never liked 'The Deer Hunter' or viewed it as a satisfying war drama. Instead, I took an instant dislike to the three main characters and could only find some consolation in the impressive early performance of Meryl Streep.
I found it extremely slow moving, irritating with its focus on three moronic blue collar workers who come across as loutish and brutish airheads, and unpleasant in all of its war details. Yes, the Russian roulette scene was fascinating but--like everything else about the film--given too much footage. The wedding scene in the early part of the film was also given to extended coverage. Some judicious editing of all of the film's content would have made it more bearable for me.
I was not among those pleased that the movie was honored with Oscar awards for achievement. Robert DeNiro did give a very competent performance and was Oscar nominated as Best Actor. Christopher Walken received a Best Supporting Actor award and the film itself even won the Best Picture award. But in the years between first viewing it and now, I haven't changed my opinion of the film and don't believe it deserves the adulation it has won. I don't find the characters at all likeable and would rather not spend three hours of my time watching some quirky and unappealing characters become even more distasteful as the story unwinds.
I suppose the subject matter of the film has a lot to do with my disapproval of the story as a whole. None of the Vietnam films have been the equal of the fine war films depicting World War I and II. They have not even come close to them.
The Academy honoring the film must have felt it met all the requirements of social significance to qualify for the award. Sorry, I don't quite see it that way.