Film review: The Revenant (15)

You’re probably fed up of hearing about The Revenant amid the clamour for Leonardo DiCaprio to be given an elusive Oscar for his portrayal of American frontiersman Hugh Glass.

Even the man himself seems tired of the Oscar talk – but on this occasion you really should jump aboard the hype train and check out Alejandro González Iñárritu’s (Birdman) survival epic.

Hugh Glass wasn’t a name that was on my radar prior to watching The Revenant, but his story – set in the frozen wilderness of 1823 America – is truly remarkable.

We meet Glass and his half-Native American son Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) on a fur trapping expedition.

They, along with 40 others, are under the watchful eye of Captain Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson – Star Wars: The Force Awakens).

However, they are forced to abandon their mission (and also their pelts) after an awesomely-shot battle with the native Arikara and seek an alternative route home.

Disaster strikes when navigational scout Glass is savagely (and I mean savagely) attacked by a bear – and it seems inevitable that he’ll eventually succumb to his serious injuries and die out in the wild.

With the elements against them, Henry decides that Glass is slowing his men down and offers a reward to two of his group to stay behind and tend to him while they regroup… or bury him if he dies.

The unhinged Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy – Legend) and young Jim Bridger (Will Poulter – The Maze Runner) do the honours, with Hawk also staying by his father’s side.

Given that revenant essentially means ‘to come back from the dead’, you can imagine that Glass’ plight after that is pretty dire.

That’s as much as I’m willing to say as I’d hate to spoil a classic, but what follows is a brilliant story that is fuelled by survival instinct and flat out revenge.

As mentioned above, the calls for DiCaprio’s performance to be given an Oscar have been loud. I’ll happily add my (somewhat insignificant) voice to that list, as it’s a truly remarkable effort from one of Hollywood’s finest.

Barely recognisable from his usual slick and clean-cut image, it’s powerhouse stuff.

You’ll really connect with the character. His struggles are beyond comprehension – and you almost wish him death to end the pain.

As well as DiCaprio, the filmmaking by Iñárritu must also be congratulated.

The battles and Glass’ journey are both beautifully realised, while you’ll probably feel cold just watching the film such is the level of immersion.

There are some stellar supporting performances too, with Hardy once again excelling in another very diverse role.

I’ll not go into his character too much, but he’s incredibly complex and well fleshed out by another actor at the very top of his game.

For balance, I would say that The Revenant is a little repetitive at times. Glass’ gripping story does also go on for the best part of three hours too, so be prepared for a long stint in the cinema.

There are a few other side plots taking place alongside the main story, mind, so that helps with the pacing.

For such a long epic, it also ends a little abruptly, albeit after a very satisfying final sequence.

Personally, I’m all for films going long if the material demands it – and The Revenant certainly does.

It’s a unique experience that merits all of the plaudits that it’s currently receiving and is the first genuinely great film of 2016.

Voice Verdict: 9.5/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ DiCaprio’s performance
+ Bear scene
+ Amazing story beautiful shot
– A little repetitive at times

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, Jan 22 to Thurs, Jan 28)

**DIRTY GRANDPA (15)
1pm (Wed), 3.45pm (Mon-Thurs)

**CAPTURE THE FLAG (PG)
10am 3D (Sat/Sun), 12.20pm 2D (Sat/Sun)

**THE BIG SHORT (15)
Noon (Wed), 2.40pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.30pm (daily), 8.20pm (daily)

CREED (12A)
3.30pm (not Sun), 8.30pm (daily)

THE REVENANT (15)
1pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 4.30pm (not Tues/Thurs), 8.15pm (daily)

THE HATEFUL EIGHT (18)
3.30pm (Tues/Thurs), 7.45pm (not Tues/Thurs)

DADDY’S HOME (12A)
1.15pm (Fri/Sat/Sun/Wed), 6.20pm (not Mon), 6.20pm (Mon – Subtitled)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (12A)
10.40am 2D (Sat), 2.20pm 3D (Sat/Sun/Wed), 5.20pm 2D (daily)

THE PEANUTS MOVIE 2D (U)
11am (Sat/Sun)

THE GOOD DINOSAUR 2D (PG)
10am (Sat/Sun)

KIDS’ CLUB
10.15am Sat/Sun – Minions 2D (U)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Star Wars: The Force Awakens 2D (12A)

** FREE LIST SUSPENDED

EVENT CINEMA

BOLSHOI – THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (12A AL)
3pm (Sun)

ROH LIVE – RHAPSODY/TWO PIGEONS (12A AL)
7.15pm (Tues)

NT LIVE – LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES (12A AL)
7pm (Thurs)