Alive (1993)

Genre

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Director

Frank Marshall

Country

USA

Cast

Ethan Hawke, Josh Hamilton, John Haymes, Bruce Ramsay, David Kriegel, Jack Noseworthy, Kevin Breznahan, David Cubitt, Gian DiDonna, John Cassini, Richard Ian Cox, Nuno Antunes, Gordon Currie, Sam Behrens, Michael Taylor, Steven Shayler, John Malkovich

Storyline

In 1972, the plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashes on the Andes Mountains, and considered dead, the survivors are forced to use desperate measures to survive.

Opinion

I always wanted to watch this film but never got around it. I knew the story and that was enough to keep me away from it. Then yesterday I was in the mood for something "heavier", and I finally played it. It blew me away.

"Alive" is a remarkable, emotional survival film that demonstrates the determination of mankind and fight for survival. It's one of those films you wouldn't believe if you didn't know in advance that it's based on true events. It's one of those films that is an endurance test for the audience as well, because it is not very easy to watch at times.

I haven't read Piers Paul Read's "Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors", but like I said before, I knew the story - we talked about it in High School and I read all I could on the internet - and I can tell that the film is a good transposition of what those people had to go through. 

The story of these young men, some who had never seen the snow before, that were able to survive for 72 days on the Andes is truly uplifting, and shows some of the best sides of humanity. Each person in this film is unique, you can easily find yourself sympathetic with the viewpoints of the each of them, yet at the same time you wonder what would you have done if you were in their place. 

"Alive" features an impressive crash sequence that skilfully captures the horror and helplessness of those trapped in that plane that hardly leaves you untouched. Same goes with the rescue scene, where the expression on Carlitos' face is worth more than words.

The portray a real story in the right way you need a great cast and the film sure has it. Ethan Hawke as Nando Parrado, the optimistic and irrational one, and Josh Hamilton as Roberto Canessa, the pessimist, stand out, especially because of the debate between the two men.

The Revenant (2015)

Genre

Adventure | Drama

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Country

USA

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck, Grace Dove, Paul Anderson, Brendan Fletcher, Kristoffer Joner, Melaw Nakehk'o, Duane Howard, Brad Carter, Lukas Haas

Storyline

In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption.

Opinion

About one year ago Alejandro G. Iñárritu, one of my favourite directors, took home not one, not two, but three Oscars for "Birdman"; those statuettes were followed by a speech about ego and as that is one of our greatest enemies. Well, a lot has been said and written about "The Revenant", and while many think that Iñárritu did not listen to his own advice returning with the great ambition to make a masterpiece, ego or not ego, in my humble opinion Iñárritu did make a masterpiece.

"The Revenant" is a magnificent, powerful film that delivers every single emotion, and whose brutality and viscerality pierce like a sharp blade and make us reflect on human nature.

Inspired by true events, the film is a deep cinematic experience that tells a story of revenge and survival, the epic adventure of a man trying to survive only with his strenght of spirit. It could have easily been nothing more than just a revenge film, but here comes the extraordinary ability of Iñárritu who transforms an average plot into something spectacular, using the contrast between poetic beauty and the ugliness of violence to point out human's interference with nature. The whole comes with a life lesson: as long as you can still grab a breath, you fight.

While it is certainly not the first Man vs. Wild film, "The Revenant" puts everyone on the same level, both men and animals, both victims and perpetrators. The cold and impassive nature assists the human turmoils dictated by the necessities of existence of the Native Americans and the need for profit of the white men.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's directorial style and choices shine through the film, creating a visceral and aesthetic contrast as we watch the gorgeous landscapes and scenery melting with the brutal storyline. 

The musical score, the visual effects and the make-up are impressive, but the cinematography is completely on another level. Emmanuel Lubezki captured the stunning landscapes and followed the battle scenes superbly, allowing you to fully immerge into the film. It looks like Lubezki is about to get his third Oscar in a row.

And now the performances. Leonardo DiCaprio gives a visceral, raw performance as Hugh Glass, a performance that will live on in history. He portrays Glass's desperation in a wonderful manner: he doesn't even need to speak throughout a lot of the film to convey a thousand of feelings and to make you feel inside the character. That's the real acting, being able to express emotions through body language rather than handling dialogue in the right way. This outstanding performance is supported by an excellent performance from Tom Hardy. The British actor pulled of a really good accent -- it really wowed me -- and he also blew me away with his acting skills, delivering a terrific performance as brutal Fitzgerald. Domhnall Gleeson also did a great job -- his Irish accent occasionally showed up though.

As long as you can still grab a breath, you fight. You breathe... keep breathing. - Hugh Glass

The wind cannot defeat a tree with strong roots.