Yesterday, I was able to see a pre-screening of the film “The Revenant,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhall Gleeson, and Will Poulter.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this.  If you told me, “Hey–want to see a film where DiCaprio doesn’t speak much, is mostly alone, and spends a good deal crawling around?”  Well, I probably would have still said, “Yes,” but that’s because Leonardo chooses not only interesting roles, but roles that challenge him.  In fact, he turned down playing Steve Jobs to do this instead.  After viewing it, I very much understood why.

The film is based on the true life story of Hugh Glass who is left for dead (after one of the most horrific, realistic-looking scenes on film that I’ve seen, and could not look away from), and travels [200] miles back to civilization for righteous vengeance.  The film is both griping and intense, and while watching I thought, “Leonardo is really crawling for that Oscar.”  There was no fake snow or cold (filmed mostly in Canada, and the tail end in Southern Argentina), or fake meat eaten.  Vegetarian DiCaprio goes all in.

“[Those scenes] — amongst many other sequences — were some of the more difficult things I’ve ever had
to do in my entire career. But the end result is going to be one of the most immersive experiences audiences will ever have with what it would be like to come face-to-face with an animal of that magnitude that is incredibly primal. It is absolutely startling and shocking, and it is the closest thing to documentary filmmaking — but in a completely stylized way that a lot of people never experienced.”

He’s not alone in the performance department–Tom Hardy also delivers.  I would be very surprised if he did not walk way with an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.  He is very much a chameleon, and brought the character of Fitzgerald to life.  Both the monologues and the characterization were spot on.  You could not look away.

Young actor Will Poulter (who’s also made interesting and varying choices with film roles) also brings a few powerful moments to the table as Jim Bridger.  We actually got to have a Q&A with the actor after the screening.  Every photo I took was useless.  I learned a valuable lesson, however: always have your camera.  An actual, of quality camera.  Still, was able to get one semi-decent shot with the actor.

Alejandro Gónzalez Iñárritu’s “The Revenant” is a film that utilizes no green screens, only natural light for its scenes, and stunning long shots of action or dialogue.  At nearly two and a half hours long, you don’t even notice the run time, which to me, is the mark of a film that is beyond well done.  “The Revenant” exceeded this viewer’s expectations.  If you’re a fan of amazing films that can transport you, biopics, any of the actors listed, or stunning visuals, then this is the film for you.

This film opens in theaters January 8th.