Movie : The Deer Hunter

Steel town USA. A group of young men get off the night shift at the mill and head for the bar. A lot of excitement in the air. Three of the group are getting ready to ship out to Vietnam plus one of them is getting married that night. Plus one more planned deer hunt before the boys are split up for a while. It’s all good camaraderie and bravado. Living in the moment and having a good time. Secure in their friendship and common place in life. It’s what they know and are used to and then BOOM! We are in country, Vietnam in the middle of a living nightmare and a long way away from home and what we remember life to be. Will it ever be the same for the group of friends and those around them?

The Deer Hunter is an intense ride. Michael Cimino along with those he gathered together create a film that got to me on a lot of levels. The story, the sense of place, performances all under Cimono’s direction had me engaged. He takes a small group of people and shows us the impact an event (war)  has on all connected. What if?

The performances of all the characters are truthful. DeNiro, Walken, Savage, Cazale lead the cast and make you believe in this group of friends who will soon be torn apart physically, mentally and emotionally. This group along with the supporting cast bring some memorable scenes to life. Some of the lesser charged scenes with Savage and Cazale really hit the mark. I believed these guys were friends and I believed what was happening to them. I think one of the reasons for that was the actors fully committed to the circumstances. There are more than a few stand out performances

Just watched it recently (My gal wanted to see it again) and was entertained. But it does take a bit of the wind out of you. Bit of a gut shot.

“I love this fucking place. Promise you won’t leave me over there”