Vietnam gets a lot of representation on the AFI top 100 list. Interestingly each of the entries deal with a different facet of it. Platoon deals with the idea of peace vs war. Apocalypse Now deals with the madness war causes.
And this one deals with something doctors and therapists are still getting a better understanding of: PTSD. Divided into three parts, we get to see segments of these character’s lives clearly defined: the carefree life before the war, the trauma during it, and the consequences after.
I’m lucky to have never had to be part of any war. My dad, who had been drafted to Vietnam, told me what it was like, giving me an understanding of why there are so many films about it.
So here we are with another entry on the AFI top 100 list. It’s 1978’s The Deer Hunter, written by and directed by Michael Cimino.
Taking chances
With its constant focus on how life can be taken from us at any moment, I think the movie’s core message is “facing death is traumatic.”
We see the characters at the beginning of the film, and despite some tension and confusion, they’re at ease. Having never faced death, they enjoy life. This starts to change a bit as they get closer to death and closer to the prospect of dying, as Michael refuses to lend Stan his gloves, perhaps some bitterness over him not having to put his life on the line.
After facing death numerous times, the characters change significantly. Michael has become harderned. Steven has become depressed, almost ready to give up on any sort of normal life. Nick has completely lost his mind and no longer care if he lives or dies.
Russian Roulette is a running motif in the film, as we see it first used as a torture device by the captors. Michael is able to use it for him and his friends to escape. This trauma, though, screws up Nick significantly, and he now feels as though he should die. When he finally recognizes who Michael is at the end, he still pulls the trigger.
The characters are very willing to kill deer at the beginning, not really appreciating the fact that they’re taking the animal’s life. However, after facing death so many times, Michael can no longer doing it, shooting in the air instead of killing it.
Acting!
One of the strongest parts of the film is the acting. This is one of those cases where the awesome performances lift the movie up and puts it into a whole new category.
Deniro is in his prime in the movie, and he’s able to give a haunting performance, playing so many different emotions. He also seamlessly steps into an action star at some points, giving the whole film more range.
Christopher Walken is amazing, going from a charming happy man to someone terrified to someone who has lost his mind. His mere presence in every scene he’s in is gripping.
Meryl Streep has a small, but memorable part. She’s able to convey how the horror of war can spread to those not fighting.
And I’d be remiss to not mention John Cazale. He was in only five movies, and he acted the hell out of everyone, making every movie he was in that much better.
This clearly shows how crucial casting is. The actors are always the centerpiece of everything we see, and if they’re the perfect choices, like with The Deer Hunter, they can help create a classic.
Michael Cimino has received a lot of criticism for not actually being in the Veitnam War. While I understand where the criticism is coming from, I don’t think it’s a necessity.
If this was the case then no one could ever make a period piece movie because they weren’t actually there.
By speaking to PTSD, he speaks to something much larger, as many of us have faced things that have terrified us and have changed us. And this is why the setting of the film (The Vietnam War) is not the same thing as the film’s message (facing death is traumatic). Only a percentage of people have been involved in the former, but the latter is something we all at least know intuitively.
Thanks for reading!
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