Not my favorite war film (or my favorite Robert de Nero role), but a notable entry into the genre regardless. The cinematography by Vilmos Zsigmond is superb. Seems to be more interested in life before and after the war, as the Vietnam war portion only takes up around 42 minutes of screen time out of a 3 hour plus run time (and 16 minutes of those 42 are spent with our leads as Prisoners of War). We essentially see no footage of our protagonists in combat or fighting in war.
The first hour and eight minutes plays like the adult version of Stand By Me, and is one of the strongest parts of the movie (even with that infamous 25 minute long wedding scene). John Cazale, John Savage, George Dzundza, and Chuck Aspergren are all great as the core friend group. The best one here is Christopher Walken as Nick, who is drafted to Vietnam along with Robert de Nero and John Savage. Nick’s arc is incredibly dark and rich as his trauma during Vietnam has left him nihilistic and suicidal. If there is one reason to watch this flick, it’s for Walken as Nick (though I still think his best performance is as Champion in Heaven’s Gate).
I do appreciate that The Deer Hunter opens with a wedding and ends with a funeral, and that it kind of perfectly captures the progression of emotions surrounding the Vietnam War (enthusiasm and excitement, to terror and fear, to numbness, disillusionment, and depression). There are enough memorable scenes and moments that The Deer Hunter is not a waste of 3 hours. Actually, it moves pretty good for a 3 hour film. All this said, I still think Heaven’s Gate is a better film.
4 STARS
No comments:
Post a Comment