Leo DiCaprio Should Win an Academy Award Based on his Stoic Performance Coupled with the Hypothermia and Eating of Raw Venison

Rating: 10/10 (11 February 2016)

In "The Revenant" Leonardo DiCaprio is real-life fur trapper guide named Hugh Glass. In the 1830s, Hugh and his half-Pawnee son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) led a group of fur trappers in the forests he knew so well. These men were at a high risk for animal attacks, Indian attacks, and the unpredictable way winter can turn stormy and life threatening. The leader of the fur trappers is John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) and he and Hugh do not get along.
In fact, John denigrates Hawk because of the boy's half Caucasian/half Indian ancestry. Hugh keeps the peace between them, but it is short lived. Hugh is alone in the woods watching a couple bear cubs whose mother comes along and attacks him. Hugh kills the female bear with his knife after she nearly kills him. The men make a stretcher of sorts for Hugh, but hauling the man around in it in sub-zero weather is making everyone tense.
John asks Hugh if he should let him die and with the blinking of his eyes, Hugh agrees to this. Just as John is ready to finish off Hugh, Hawk intervenes and John kills the boy. John and his men dig a hole and put Hugh in it after taking the man's gun. Hugh is barely alive and not ready to throw off the mortal coil. He digs himself out and wants to get revenge on the men who killed his son, took his gun, and left him for dead.
The revenant of the story is the wife and mother of Hugh and his son. Huge's wife was killed when the Indian village was attacked. Her ghost aka the revenant guides Hugh along his quest the men who left him for dead.
Leonardo DiCaprio is wonderful as the taciturn, honorable Hugh Glass while Tom Hardy shines as the villainous John Fitzgerald who leaves Hugh for dead. Hugh's near-death visions are touching but at the same time frightening because he sees a nightmare character played by "Mama" character Javier Botet.
The struggle of Hugh Glass is not glossed over for the audience. His determination to live is laid bare for all to see and Leo's expressive face tells all. I do think this is a good movie to watch when it is 90 degrees outside because the cold beauty of winter can make one feel like they are freezing! "The Revenant" is a bit long, but worth it at the same time!