Scene of the Week: The Deer Hunter
The Deer Hunter is a tremendous film, but you won’t catch me watching it all the time. I like to feel good after watching a movie and there is no doubt that The Deer Hunter is far too serious to leave anyone in a good mood after. However, those serious tones and realistic depiction of both Vietnam and the ramifications for the men going over there and those that were able to come back make it a must watch for any movie fan. I can laud the actual deer hunting scenes, and shout out to St. Theodosius for the wedding scene, but there is only one scene (well, there are two) that I want to see.
This week’s Scene of the Week takes a look at the first Russian roulette scene that Michael (Robert De Niro) and Nick (Christoher Walken) are forced to play by their Viet Cong captors. The tension is so thick in the scene, and you can almost feel those slaps. I don’t really get into awards for actors, but there is no doubt Christopher Walken deserved his Oscar and Robert De Niro his nomination for The Deer Hunter. While their rematch later in the film is just as tough to watch, the first one has a (somewhat) happier ending. I think you should watch it… Mau! SLAP!
