The Deer Hunter
1978
*****
Director: Michael Cimino
Cast: Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Savage, John Cazale, Meryl Streep, George Dzundza, Chuck Aspegren, Shirley Stoler, Rutanya Alda, Pierre Segui, Mady Kaplan, Amy Wright, Mary Ann Haenel, Richard Kuss, Joe Grifasi
Lifelong Russian-American friends Michael, Nick, and Steven live and work in the working-class town of Clairton, Pennsylvania. Following Steven's wedding, the trio head off to fight in the Vietnam War, which turns out to be more brutal and traumatising than they could ever have imagined. Michael Cimino's long but mesmerising drama brilliantly juxtaposes the warm camaraderie and the comforts of home with the physical and emotional toll of war in a faraway country. The screenplay controversially uses Russian roulette as a plot device, but it produces some intensely tense and moving scenes. The terrific performances include Christopher Walken is his Oscar-winning role, Meryl Streep in her first major part, and John Cazale in his final screen appearance. The film won four other Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.
