Michael, Steven and Nicky are three best friends who enjoy going deer hunting often. These men get enlisted to head to Vietnam to fight for their country and celebrate with a farewell party, as well as Nicky marrying a pregnant woman named “Angela.” After the horrors during the war and edge-grabbing games of Russian Roulette that these men are forced to play, Michael returns home and realizes that his deer hunting outings aren’t the same as they used to be, because of the war and he eventually finds out that Steven is handicapped and Nicky hasn’t returned from Vietnam, and in response, he heads back to Vietnam to rescue him.
This is a great movie! Its 3-hour runtime can be felt, but, I was never bored by this movie. Michael Cimino’s direction and a series of heartbreaking performances from Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Christopher Walken, the amazing cinematography, scenes that will stay memorable forever like this amazing Russian roulette scene in a cabin on the water in Vietnam. That scene is equally hilarious and tense. Perfection! This can be a very boring movie to some people since it is pretty uneventful, it has long scenes where characters just sit around and talk to each other and I gotta say this is some of the best character buildings ever put to screen. So, when it finally becomes eventful, you’re invested in the characters.
As I said, the 3-hour runtime is felt and some of you might find the talking scenes boring. And the first 50 minutes of the movie are dedicated to a wedding. The movie takes its time, but, I didn’t mind that! 10/10*
Director: Michael Cimino
Written by: Michael Cimino, Deric Washburn, Louis Garfinkle, Quinn K. Redeker
Starring: Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage, George Dzundza, Chuck Aspegren
Runtime: 3 hours 3 minutes
Awards: 5 oscars (best picture, best director, best actor in a supporting role – Christopher Walken, best sound, best editing)
