Absolutely Beautiful and Horrifying at the Same Time

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2016)

Another excellent film from Alejandro G. Inarritu with this one. Not really much of a surprise seeing as how this guy makes some of the best movies out there right now. I was introduced to this director with Biutiful and I've been a fan ever since. This film gives us more of the depressing scenes that Inarritu is known for but it's ultimately a hopeful tale. It's hard to believe that it's actually based off of a true story and that someone actually managed to survive some of what is portrayed in the movie. Just surviving the first twenty minutes would be an amazing feat for me. Let's talk about the plot.
The story revolves around the tracker and frontiersman Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio). Glass and his son are helping a group of trappers in the wilderness when they are attacked by Indians and forced to flee into the woods. As if he wasn't already having a bad enough day he ends up being attacked by a grizzly bear and is horribly mauled and nearly dead. Glass is being taken care of when a man named Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy) decides to go ahead and kill him so that he can get out of there and go home. Glass's son witnesses the event and is murdered by Fitzgerald and Glass is left alone in the woods to fend for himself. Somehow, Glass finds the strength to not only get up and start walking again, but sets out to find his way back to the fort where the trappers, and Fitzgerald, are staying.
All of the actors are at the top of their game in this one, which is to be expected in an Inarritu film. Leo does most of the movie by himself but his emotions come out perfectly in his face and movements and it's never difficult to know what he's thinking. It' s easy to see the pain in his face and it makes me wonder if the conditions were so crappy that it wasn't just acting. At least we know the shivering couldn't have been fake. Tom Hardy also does a fantastic job as amoral John Fitzgerald. There are times when Fitzgerald is willing to help others but it's really only when it benefits him in some way. He's actually a despicable human being and it's easy to hate the guy, which goes to show how well Hardy did in his portrayal of him. Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter also give some excellent portrayals but I'm afraid they'll be forgotten because of Leo and Hardy being the main focus and taking up a lot more screen time.
This film is absolutely gorgeous and it's easy to forget that places like this still exist in the world. There weren't any sets used in this movie. This is all natural and, if what I read is accurate, the movie was filmed in Canada and Argentina. It's beautiful but it's easy to see why the area is so dangerous. It's amazing to think that someone could actually survive in the wilderness after being mauled by a bear but Glass managed to do it. Just to add to the feeling of realism it seems that most of the film was made using natural light. It boggles my mind just how good this movie looks without using a lot of the camera tricks that Hollywood is known for.
I absolutely loved everything about this film but I know it won't be for everyone. For one thing, this movie is very long and there isn't much in the way of witty banter. Glass is mostly by himself and his journey home is harrowing but it takes its time getting there. Those of you with a short attention span might have a bit of trouble with one. Also, the movie has plenty of action but it is not romanticized in any way. This is just straight up brutality and the hero doesn't exactly escape with minimal injuries. No one does really.
Like I said before, the film is excellent but it's not for everyone. When I left the theater there was complete silence from everyone walking out. It's one of those types of movies that leaves you a bit stunned after watching it. I can't help but recommend it but make sure you're able to handle what the film will throw at you.