The Revenant (2015)

*** ½ out of ****

Rarely has there been a movie I was more certain going in that I was going to like. It has Leo Dicaprio (who hasn't made a bad movie in 20 years), Tom Hardy (whose performance in “The Drop” was the overlooked diamond of 2014) and Domhnall Gleason (who is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine). Plus it's a western and a revenge flick. What could be more fun?

Dicaprio is Hugh Glass, a trapper and guide leading a hunting party through hostile territory. Just as they are completing their hunt they are attacked by Indians, and over half of their party is wiped out. In their ensuing escape cross country, Glass is attacked by a grizzly bear and wounded almost beyond aid. The party leader (Gleason) leaves three men behind with him, including Glass's son, to bury him when he dies. Another of the three left behind is John Fitzgerald (Hardy), who wants to “end Glass's suffering” by killing him so they can get away from their before the hostiles return. This eventually leads him to killing Glass's son and leaving Glass to die.

Of course he doesn't die, and comes after Fitzgerald to avenge his son, which is the entire gist of the last 2/3 of the film. And director Innaritu doesn't overplay it in any way or try to make it a fun ride. It's an ordeal, with one tribulation after another. It's stark and unyielding, and tortuous for Glass. Which all makes for utterly spellbinding watching.

Much has been made of the film's cinematography, and rightly so. This is a visually beautiful film right from the first frame. And while the story is mesmerizing, it is the performances that make this thing work the way it does. Dicaprio's single mindedness despite his torment is incredible. There is a lengthy stretch in the film where he doesn't speak at all other than cries and grunts, yet because of Leo's performance we know what he's thinking the entire way.

Also excellent is Hardy. His John Fitzgerald is one of the greatest movie villains I've seen in ages. Somehow totally real and completely unbelievable at the same time, he is one of those guys whose narcissism rules his life. He is incapable of empathy and absolutely without any redeeming qualities at all. But he is so absolutely convincing in the role that you just hate and hate and HATE him. And Domhnall Gleason, whose performance I haven't heard anything about, is also fantastic as Captain Henry, the military leader in charge of the hunting party. He is a hard man but a good man who seeks justice for all the right reasons.

This film is visually stunning, absolutely spellbinding and thoroughly wonderful. Even the final battle had me nearly throwing myself around in the theatre seat trying to “body english” a win for the good guy. Easily the best movie I've seen from 2015. I WILL be heading back to the theatre to see it again.