Revenant, The (4/19/2016)

Rated R for strong frontier combat and violence including gory images, a sexual assault, language and brief nudity.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter

Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Biutiful and Birdman)

Simply put, The Revenant is astonishing.

Inspired by true events, The Revenant is an epic story of survival and transformation on the American frontier. While on an expedition into the uncharted wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally mauled by a bear, then abandoned by members of his own hunting team. Alone and near death, Glass refuses to succumb. Driven by sheer will and his love for his Native American wife and son, he undertakes a 200-mile odyssey through the vast and untamed West on the trail of the man who betrayed him: John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). What begins as a relentless quest for revenge becomes a heroic saga against all odds towards home and redemption.

Hugh Glass’ story is unbelievable, horrific and inspiring. I cannot even begin to imagine enduring half of what he experienced. I still have a difficult time wrapping my head around how any one person has the ability and determination to do what he did. Seriously, walking 200 miles is not easy…walking 200 miles in the snow and freezing cold is near impossible, but walking 200 miles in the snow and freezing cold after being mauled by a bear, buried alive and left for dead is…far beyond astonishing.

Hugh Glass was an incredible man and deserved an incredible actor to bring his story to life. I’m not sure there is another actor who could have done a better job. Leonardo DiCaprio is superb. And you can’t forget about Tom Hardy, he is so perfect as the sleazy and underhanded John Fitzgerald.

This story needed to be told and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu was the perfect director to tell it. Every scene, every shot is perfect and he tells this horrific story is the most stunning way possible. It is absolutely mesmerizing.

Besides an unbelievable story and an extraordinarily talented cast and director, The Revenant has the absolute best cinematography. I knew from the first trailer it was going to be special and I fear my words can in no way do it justice. It really is something that you need to experience. You feel like you are there…and trust me that is an incredible experience.

The Revenant is the best film of 2015 and will certainly be added to my collection…its “Worth Buying.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex but there is a very brief nudity scene. There are several F-words and other profanities. But the biggest reason for the R-rating is the violence and disturbing images.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. When was your best day? What happened?


2. When was your worst day? What happened?


3. How does your worst day compare to Hugh Glass’?


4. How do you respond when times are hard?

Read Romans 8:18

I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us.


5. What does this passage tell us about suffering?


6. How can you endure suffering with a better perspective?