Grizzly Man: Review of The Revenant

The Revenant

Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu

By Alex Watson

Branded 'The Shoot From Hell', Alejandro G Iñárritu's tough slog has produced one of the films of 2016. The Revenant is a cold blooded but thrilling story of vengeance and survival which surrounded by Emmanuel Lubezki's gorgeous picture postcard photography will stay with us. The story of Hugh Glass is not easy viewing by any means but his determination shows the essence of humanity will to beat the odds and see another day. Sweeping the Golden Globes last night, this is shaping up to be an awards season favorite.

A fur expedition led by Captain Andrew Henry (Domnhall Gleason) runs into trouble when it is attacked by a band of Arikara Indians. Losing almost a third of the men, the survivors head down river and hope for survival. Their chances are compromised when expert tracker Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a savagely mauled by a bear. Left for dead by his heartless colleague Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy), Glass has the odds stacked against him. What follows is an incredible story of survival.

The Revenant is an odds-on favorite for having two of the most breathtaking sequences of this year. Surrounded by a beautiful natural light, the camps opening attack is a rare breed of horrifying wonder. The moment the Indians arrive, chaos and disorder swiftly follow. Arrow whistle through the air like angels of death and men run for survival only to be mowed down. Lubezki shows he has earned his back to back Oscar wins during this moment and it sure gets the blood pumping. Glass' attack, however, is the real eye opener and never before has an animal attack looked so beautiful. Bones crack, skin tears and the man left to contend with a far worse beast- nature itself.

On the expedition, the men vary in terms of character as Henry is a stiff and uptight leader, Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) is a newbie to this game and his fear shines brightly. Fitzgerald is the real antagonistic force of the picture, a menacing, and self-serving presence the man will lying, cheat, steal and even resort to murder to get ahead. When Glass sees his Native American son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck) murdered before his eyes, it plants a seed of fury as he lies immobilized. After he is left in a poorly dug grave, the man is forced to literally drag himself out. His journey from there is one test after another in the wild and sees him having to fend for himself by catching raw fish and defying death by escaping down a surging river.

Iñárritu emerges as the real star of The Revenant because the little touches he makes elevate this about the ordinary man v nature picture. His use of natural light only and Steadicam along with his bold actions such as jumping into water to follow his heroes attempt to escape death are electrifying. We never truly learn Hugh Glass' backstory, but his spirit draw us to him in a big way. Continuously he defies the odds and his journey is one that is a tough watch but worth every second. Out in the wilderness and heavily injured, Glass is forced to go beyond human limits. We see him sleeping in an animal carcass, riding off a cliff to escape another attack all the while he never loses sight of the people who wronged him. It's the kind of intensity that makes the stuff of legends.

Leonardo DiCaprio gives a performance of such raw bravado that it makes the picture tick around him. With only limited dialogue, this is by far DiCaprio's most physically demanding role, but he is not afraid to play around in the dirt. What follows is one of the fieriest and committed performances you are likely to see. If this man doesn't take home an Oscar, I don't know what to think. The supporting performances are likewise excellent with Tom Hardy leading the way as half scalped bully Fitzgerald. A worthy villain for Glass to target, Hardy's malice hovers on screen even when he is absent.

Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu made his crew go through hell during their shoots in Canada and Argentina, but whatever risks were taken have given the desired result. The Revenant is one of the most hypnotic pieces of cinema you will see in 2016. Just proof that Iñárritu is playing at the top of his game.

Flying Without Wings: Review of Birdman

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

By Alex Watson  

If someone had told you that acclaimed Mexican director, Alejandro González Iñárritu's return to the big screen would be a black comedy starring Michael Keaton (aka Batman) then most people would probably ask you how many pints you had consumed! But it appears that this has come to fruition and the Babel and Amores Perros director returns with his dark satirical film, Birdman. Keaton hasn't had a role this meaty in years, can Iñárritu bring out the best in him? 

Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) is a washed up movie star who was once the beloved star of the Birdman movie franchise. In an attempt to be taken seriously, Thompson is adapting a Broadway stage production of Raymond Carver's story 'What We Talk About When We Talk About Love' which has been beset by problems, including egomaniac method actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) and his drug addict assistant daughter Sam (Emma Stone). But in the midst of the mayhem, can Riggan keep his head and give an 'honest' performance? 

Birdman is a bizarre but ultimately brilliant piece of original work from Iñárritu. Armed with a fascinating pitch black tone and beautifully shot by Emmanuel Lubezki, the Mexican maverick has created something truly special and the talented cast succeeds in carrying the weight of expectation. Riggan is a man who after passing on Birdman 4 over 20 years ago, has become permanently trapped inside his winged character (the character speaks to him in his mind off stage) and he is straining regain any sense of credibility which on stage is difficult to come by, as Lindsay Duncan's acid tongued reviewer tells him "You're a celebrity, not an actor!" and then informs him she will destroy his play for invading her turf before she has even seen it.

The camera work by Lubezki also contributes a great seamless feel to this movie and as we glide in and out of various rooms, it feels as if we are glimpsing the actors in their most personal moments which gives an almost intrusive feel to proceedings. The script however by Iñárritu , Nicolas Giacobone, playwright Alexander Dinelaris and Armando Bo, is one to savor. Together they bring us a story complete with shocking yet natural humour along with a building psychological feel of a man who has bitten off more than he can chew.

All around Riggan's production there are problems to be seen, firstly star Lesley (Naomi Watts) has encouraged him to bring on board her arrogant boyfriend Mike, who although a big box office draw is immediately dismissive of Riggan's talent and seems to cause mayhem over the littlest details, including drinking real gin rather than water on stage which results in disastrous preview performances! Along with being continually belittled by Sam for being more of a 'has-been' because he rejects bloggers and twitter, the man's mind is beginning to crack and his feathered friends words are speaking louder than ever.

Iñárritu also makes the audience think about a number of important factors such as the importance of careful stage planning, the ego of actors and finally what it means to be creative in this world. Riggan is literally investing his whole life in this make or break piece of art and we secretly we fear the effect of an ill received performance. But unlike this earlier work, there is a brilliant sense of rawness and reality to Birdman, which accurately demonstrates the misgivings life in theatre can bring. One sequence we see our hero lock himself out the theatre mid performance and having to make an impromptu sprint through a crowded Time Square in just his underwear! 

Michael Keaton is given the role of a life time to play and he pulls things off magnificently! Playing an man with everything to prove to the acting world, Keaton exceeds all expectations and firmly captures Riggan's ambition along with his continually beaten down persona. Under the influence of his old Birdman friend, Riggan is a man who seems able to put all things aside and make the show go on as planned. A career best for Keaton and it has to be said, a very smart piece of casting by Iñárritu because few men on the planet would understand this role better than Keaton himself!

Edward Norton also makes for a memorable on screen jerk as Mike, his ego soars higher than Birdman himself could probably fly. Throughout the production he berates and insults the man who gave him the role and continually rants on about stage is the only honest acting art. Norton does well to poke fun at his apparently troublesome antics when making movies and firmly marks the supporting honours as his own. Also look for a surprising straight performance from comedian Zach Galifianakis as Riggan's weary lawyer who forever has his work cut out for him.

Alejandro González Iñárritu has delivered one of 2014's most memorable and engaging piece of cinema and Birdman is a stunning change of direction for this man. If you needed proof of Michael Keaton's talent, then look no further than this film. This has one of my highest recommendations and this kind of cinema deserves to be seen by all!