Leo DiCaprio Roughs It in “The Revenant”
By Skip Sheffield
One-time pretty boy Leonardo DiCaprio is all grown up and
all manned up for his role as rugged frontiersman, Hugh Glass, in “The
Revenant.”
There is little doubt DiCaprio will be nominated for an Academy
Award for Best Actor for his punishing performance as Hugh Glass.
There really was a Hugh Glass, born in 1790 and killed by
hostile Arikara Indians in 1833. “The Revenant” (it means "thing reborn" in French) covers the most incredible
chapter in Glass’ tumultuous life. It occurred in 1823 in the area of
present-day Montana and South Dakota. Glass was the experienced scout in a fur
hunting party led by Capt. Andrew Henry (Domhnall Gleeson).
Mexican-born director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
(“Birdman,” “Biutiful”) begins the story with a prophetic prologue uttered by Glass: “As
long as you can grab a breath, you fight,” followed by a brutal attack by
savage Arikara Indians. Half of the company is killed and the other half flees
on a raft and thence into the wilderness with Glass leading the way.
Glass knows that wilderness like the back of his hand and he
understands Native American well enough he speaks the language and married an
Indian woman who bore him a son Hawk (Forrest Goodluck), who is part of the
party. Second in command is John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), who is clearly envious
of Hugh Glass and untrustworthy.
When Glass encounters two grizzly bear cubs, he is savagely
attacked by the mama bear. Using CG effects, it is one of the most convincing
animal attacks you will see. Glass survives the attack and is forced to kill
the bear, but he is sorely wounded. The men fashion a sled so Glass can be
dragged along. The opportunist Fitzgerald suggests they just put Glass out of
his misery so they can move faster, but the highly principled Capt. Henry pledges
to protect him and even offers a reward for his safe return.
The arc of the story hinges on a betrayal. Hawk and young
Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) stay behind to protect Glass. When their backs are
turned, Fitzgerald tries to smother the helpless Glass. Hawk intervenes and is
killed by Fitzgerald. This is the second major loss for Glass, whose Indian
wife (Grace Dove) was killed earlier. Glass makes it a personal crusade to free
Powaqa (Melaw Nakehk’o), daughter of the local Chief.
Left for dead and robbed of his possessions including his
guns, Glass miraculously survives and begins a literal 200-mile crawl back to
Fort Kiowa, South Dakota.
While “The Revenant” is as violent as “The Hateful Eight” it
differs in the fact it has a moral compass. Hugh Glass is a good and honorable
man who loves his family and endures unbearable loss. Fitzgerald is a devious
coward who deserves whatever comes his way.
“Only God can claim revenge,” Glass concludes as he faces
his nemesis in a final showdown.
“The Revenant” boasts spectacular cinematography by Emmanuel
Lubezki and a moody, spooky musical score by Ryuichi Sakamoto. It is a frontier
action-adventure, but it is also a work of art.
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