Read User Reviews and Submit your own for The Deer Hunter

10

jeannieFeb 15, 2012

The Deer Hunter is a masterpiece. It is the most powerful film to ever be created, PERIOD.
The acting of DeNiro and Walken, and Streep is flawless. I am so grateful this movie was made, and I have it to enjoy throughout my lifetime.

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

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10

kk10Aug 24, 2010

A great movie. The movie has three parts, a wedding, the war and at last afuneral. In the first we discover the characters. In the second we fear for their lives and in the third we sympathize with them. It is a powerful movie. and also hasA great movie. The movie has three parts, a wedding, the war and at last afuneral. In the first we discover the characters. In the second we fear for their lives and in the third we sympathize with them. It is a powerful movie. and also has strong performances.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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10

D-SliceJan 23, 2011

This movie is potentially the most powerful film I have seen in my life. Amazing performances from Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken that surely raised them to stardom. The Russian roulette scene absolutely tore me apart. That scene isThis movie is potentially the most powerful film I have seen in my life. Amazing performances from Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken that surely raised them to stardom. The Russian roulette scene absolutely tore me apart. That scene is potentially the most emotionally powerful scene of cinema I have ever seen. The amazing thing about this movie is that, while not only touching on issues of war and post-war syndrome, this movie shows us classical themes of friendship and brotherhood. I pretty much felt like I had just been punched in the face by a wave of awesomeness when it finished. This is, by far, one of the best movies ever made. Period.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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7

BlakeJ.Mar 26, 2007

Ask me: "Blake, does this movie stand the test of time?" And I will be forced to honestly say, "No, in my opinion it does not." The Deer Hunter is a serious movie, filled with serious ideas, and serious actors. In his most endearing Ask me: "Blake, does this movie stand the test of time?" And I will be forced to honestly say, "No, in my opinion it does not." The Deer Hunter is a serious movie, filled with serious ideas, and serious actors. In his most endearing performance ever on scree, Christopher Walken molds Nicky into precisely the desensitized warriror Cimino must have wanted, or at least dream about. The entire supporting cast adds to the movie's sparkle and gleam of greatness. But, it is in it's lack of cohesion, and it's, ultimately, slow pacing. There is a scene that will make your heart explode, but you wont make it to that scene if you have a short attention span.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful

10

talisencrwJul 18, 2016

With director Cimino's recent death and his reputation in tatters since the debacle of 'Heaven's Gate', I decided to visit 'The Deer Hunter'. Though over three hours long, it's astonishing, paced so achingly right and I can see why heWith director Cimino's recent death and his reputation in tatters since the debacle of 'Heaven's Gate', I decided to visit 'The Deer Hunter'. Though over three hours long, it's astonishing, paced so achingly right and I can see why he rightfully earned the 'carte blanche' that would unfortunately lead to his downfall (as well as an entire studio's) as soon as he made his next film. But to reach such heights and to have such ambition--as well as undeniable talent--is a victory in and of itself. Just armed with the main five actors alone, at the zenith of their craft, a fine script (really the first interesting and well-deliberated Vietnam film to hit the big screen) and Vilmos Zsigmond behind the camera meant that this would prove something special. Scenes that will haunt you forever. My favourite shot is the incredible 360-degree pan shot around Linda's bedroom when she realizes she's given up on Nick and is going to declare her love to Michael--extraordinary stuff. What's YOURS?

Many film lovers who despise Cimino's work instantly clam up when 'The Deer Hunter' is mentioned...and there's a reason for that. It's deservedly considered one of the finest American films of the 70's--a decade that was chock-full of great ones.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

bugsbunny2109Jul 5, 2014

This site has grossly underrated The Deer Hunter. The performance by De Niro is the second best I've ever seen (after Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood). Of course, the supporting roles are fantastic too - just look at the names: Walken andThis site has grossly underrated The Deer Hunter. The performance by De Niro is the second best I've ever seen (after Day-Lewis in There Will Be Blood). Of course, the supporting roles are fantastic too - just look at the names: Walken and Streep! I've seen people terrified by the portrayal of war and then teared-up by the impact the war had on the characters. Directing, acting, writing and even cinematography; it uses them all to perfection. It is my 8th favourite movie and will never lose it's incredible impact!
If you plan on watching it, please watch past the first hour (many people think it's boring) and I guarantee your enjoyment for the remainder of the movie!… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

ERG1008Aug 24, 2010

People in a small working class town, friend gets married, go to Vietnam, get capture, Russian roulette, escape, Two go back home, one doesn't.
It takes a while to get going but builds the characters up & you get a feel of where these peoplePeople in a small working class town, friend gets married, go to Vietnam, get capture, Russian roulette, escape, Two go back home, one doesn't.
It takes a while to get going but builds the characters up & you get a feel of where these people are from & who they are.
Brutal in parts (the capture scene is very intense) but also some excellent cinematography in the hunting parts.
Really strong cast & I'd say one of De Niro's best films.
Slightly long but a very good film indeed.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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3

MovieGuysFeb 21, 2014

The Deer Hunter doesn't have such a bad premise, or acting, for that matter; in fact, it pretty much succeeds in those categories. But the movie drags on and is way too long. A good 45 minutes could've been cut from the film, easily. Also,The Deer Hunter doesn't have such a bad premise, or acting, for that matter; in fact, it pretty much succeeds in those categories. But the movie drags on and is way too long. A good 45 minutes could've been cut from the film, easily. Also, the movie is unrealistic, banal, and horribly scripted.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

TheWaffleSep 29, 2017

A long slog in need of a good editor. There's a great movie in here about friendship, war, and the wounds that soldiers carry long after the battle is over. But The Deer Hunter spends a huge stretch on an overlong wedding scene at theA long slog in need of a good editor. There's a great movie in here about friendship, war, and the wounds that soldiers carry long after the battle is over. But The Deer Hunter spends a huge stretch on an overlong wedding scene at the beginning and then gives short shrift to critical dramatic moments. The war elements feel like vague flashbacks, we never see the characters' transformation through the war, just a kind of before and after. Hard video cuts also rob several dramatic moments of their tension. I feel that a good editor could make this film much better.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

MoneyMaker101Jan 31, 2015

One of the greatest movies I have ever seen.The plot is interesting and characters are really emotional and this movie shows all problems of war and how war meaningless is.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

FilipeNetoSep 20, 2020

I confess that I didn't really know what to expect from this film when I started watching it. I knew it was a prestigious film, considered by many to be one of the best films of the 1970s, and I knew the basics about the plot. In the end, II confess that I didn't really know what to expect from this film when I started watching it. I knew it was a prestigious film, considered by many to be one of the best films of the 1970s, and I knew the basics about the plot. In the end, I liked what I saw, but it doesn't look as good as a lot of people say it should be and what should be a film that won five Academy Awards (Best Film, Best Director, Best Sound, Best Editing and Best Supporting Actor) and was nominated for four another categories (Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography and Best Original Screenplay) in 1979!

The script is complex and you should pay attention as each character is introduced. The film focuses on three young Russian-Americans from a rural Pennsylvania community who go to the Vietnam War: Michael is the strongest and most charismatic, Steven is getting married and Nick leaves a girlfriend behind, for whom Michael has a crush. United by friendship, they end up separated by war.

Much can be said about the story told in this film, directed by Michael Cimino in the only successful film of his short and obscure career. The first hour cost me a lot: the film takes a long time to start and the introduction is overloaded with dialogues and scenes that could have been cut in the editing room. This part should be shorter, presenting the characters and their environment without bothering the audience too much with details that are irrelevant to the story (such as the details of the wedding and the party). Another problem I felt was seeing the main characters being so immature all the time. For the film to work, they have to win the public's sympathy and not their hatred!

After an hour of suffering and looking at the clock, the three boys finally go to Vietnam. And here is another surprise: the Vietnam War never took up so little time in a film about it! I won't be exaggerating if I say that I saw only half an hour of war scenes. I felt that Cimino wanted to quickly go over the war and developing that was not something he wanted to do. But if this is a film about the war and how it affected people it was a major theme and needed to be developed further! We only saw one attack! Was that damn marriage more important?

From that moment on the film improves substantially, with the development of a dramatic story around the fate of each of the characters. I have only two objections to make: I am able to understand the symbolism of the Russian roulette, and that Cimino had the idea of betting on it as a kind of… leitmotiv for his film. I understand that. But a question of logic and credibility arises: Michael plays the game about seven to ten times, not counting all the games that Nick will have played... unless he cheats in some way, it's impossible to stay alive so much time. Oh… and that ending, with the whole cast singing “God Bless America”, seems so absurd that it's even cynical.

Let's talk about the cast… and we have a cast full of heavyweights. Robert De Niro offers us an exceptionally restrained performance, but still full of charisma and intensity at the right time; Christopher Walken leaves us the best work of his career, which isn't to say little considering his longevity and the regularity of his work; John Cazale and his wife, the young Meryl Streep, are also in this film, which was the farewell of Cazale, famous for his part in “The Godfather” trilogy, and who entered this film very weakened by the cancer who victimized him, days after filming was ended.

Technically, it's a film with ups and downs. We have an excellent cinematography which knows how to make good use of light and shadow, create an environment and sensations in the public; the sets and costumes were very well-made and thought to detail, with special attention to the wedding and the jungle scenes. The choice of landscapes and filming locations was satisfactory but not always accurate, considering that Pennsylvania was portrayed and shown in a way that is more like Colorado. The editing is miserable and I remember that the film won the Oscar in that category, which is at least surreal and says a lot about the choices of the Academy. The sound effects are decent but the sound quality is below what we could expect. Much better is the soundtrack, especially the cavatina composed for this film by Stanley Myers.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

owenspencerSep 7, 2019

As of writing this review, I believe this is the greatest film of all time. Michael Ciminos direction is well paced and he brings out the best in his three leads. This movie is important, it has something to say, and it is all executedAs of writing this review, I believe this is the greatest film of all time. Michael Ciminos direction is well paced and he brings out the best in his three leads. This movie is important, it has something to say, and it is all executed perfectly. If you have three hours to spare, spend them watching The Deer Hunter. You will not regret it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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8

MglovesfunMay 12, 2020

Worthy of serious praise, and it makes a good, serious point. However, it's far too long. This movie is markedly better if you skip the first hour entirely.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

samuelmarcaApr 20, 2020

La mejor pelicula de De Niro en mi opinion. Brutales escenas. Walken no se queda atras, por algo gano el Oscar.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

geewahJan 15, 2021

A classic and the best movie of 1978.
This poignant story tells the story of how the war effects people and places long after the fighting stops.
Cimino's magnum opus.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

andreix005Jun 5, 2021

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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3

LolcanoMay 4, 2011

My expectations were high. I had heard so much about this film - THE defining Vietnam film. Gritty, unnerving, fearless and provocative, and with a wide scope that broached all the mores of the times...

What a load of guff. I'm serious.My expectations were high. I had heard so much about this film - THE defining Vietnam film. Gritty, unnerving, fearless and provocative, and with a wide scope that broached all the mores of the times...

What a load of guff. I'm serious. Perhaps when the film was released in 1978 it was such a great achievement to even attempt a film about Vietnam that it got a by on artistic merit. Here's the lowdown (no spoliers): *An incredibly long wedding scene that has no particular bearing on the plot (including the memorable line "f**k it" which nicely defines the movie). *Lot's of irrelevant hunting scenes (is killing a stag like... killing a man? Am /I/ the stag?). *A combat scene in Vietnam that lasts 20 seconds (when we had to sit through the wedding scene for a half hour). *A lot of repetition of the Vietnamese word 'Mao' (and slapping) *An unrealistic firefight. *Survivor guilt *Lots more survivor guilt *A bit of amnesia and one of the characters who couldn't get enough of the Vietnamese word 'Mao' in the first place. It might seem unfair to sum up a movie like this - but the fact that the movie believes its irrelevance is portentous makes it merely pretentious. Besides some very good acting from De Nero and co. the film in reality has very little to say apart from the overarching theme of "f**k it". It does not look at America in any real way, and certainly makes a determined effort to not look at all at Vietnam. It comes in at the very tail end of the Vietnam conflict, makes some overarching gesture saying: well war makes you go mad, and then stands back at a distance marveling at the tragedy of it all. If you are going to have irrational characters, at least give their irrationality due cause. If you are going to make a film, hire an editor at some stage. If you are going to write a story about war, attempt to the utmost of your ability to feature that war. If you are going to make a film about deer-hunting, make a film about hunting deer. Do not give it an hour of screen time just to facilitate some tenuous symbolic meaning.… Expand

6 of 8 users found this helpful62

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10

ScottBDec 4, 2010

My favorite movie of all time. This movie will take grasp of you and show you what a real friend is for. however it is long and somewhat slow, their is a story behind it that is dark and makes you feel like the characters are "true". iMy favorite movie of all time. This movie will take grasp of you and show you what a real friend is for. however it is long and somewhat slow, their is a story behind it that is dark and makes you feel like the characters are "true". i challenge to any contender. A true film!!… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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8

JJLawOct 22, 2005

Gritty, Vietnam-era movie about the relationship between close friends and how time and war affect their relationships. Excellent cast including Christopher Walken's best performance and Robert DeNiro.

1 of 2 users found this helpful

2

MrKnowitAllFeb 17, 2012

Because the Russian roulette image is even on the poster, verisimilitude has to be a major consideration -- even more important than the film's basic entertainment value. Near as I can tell from shallow research, there is no credible recordBecause the Russian roulette image is even on the poster, verisimilitude has to be a major consideration -- even more important than the film's basic entertainment value. Near as I can tell from shallow research, there is no credible record of the Vietnamese cruelly forcing American POWs to play Russian roulette for fun and profit. That kind of made-up accusation in a movie made for popular release is just propaganda plain and tall. And it was used as propaganda by others to beat the war drum for Vietnam, though Cimino swears he never had a clue as this outcome. You might enjoy a movie that has big scenes showing French resistant fighters killing Nazis with a guillotine, or one featuring Napoleon's soldiers squeezing Austrians through a laundry wringer, but when the big scene is just made up, perhaps out of ignorance, the film can't be considered good.

It's pointless to claim that the Russian roulette bits were not intended as criticism of the Vietnamese soldiers or that the portrayal of NVAs as grinning fiends was unintentional: That's what is on the film that millions of people saw. And, sadly, millions of American believed it -- still do.

Look, Leni Riefenstahl was at first praised in Hollywood for her Nazi propaganda films. And there may be some cinematic merit in them. But you'd have to at least share some of her sympathies to arrive at the opinion that her 'Victory of Faith' was worth four stars.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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8

khalid01703Jul 23, 2013

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1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

DaveC.Sep 24, 2005

Plodding, laborious and pretentious. It supposedly gave Heaven's Gate a high standard to live up to and while I would never rate the Deer Hunter as low as that five hours of agony, I fail to see what this film did to convince producers Plodding, laborious and pretentious. It supposedly gave Heaven's Gate a high standard to live up to and while I would never rate the Deer Hunter as low as that five hours of agony, I fail to see what this film did to convince producers that Cimino could be trusted with $40 million. It does however deserve four points for a typically superb performance from De Niro.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful

1

sinadoomJun 22, 2013

I am astounded at how a film can be so long yet only have about half an hour's worth of actual professionally directed content. The first hour is completely pointless and bares no relation to the next half an hour. The characters are poorlyI am astounded at how a film can be so long yet only have about half an hour's worth of actual professionally directed content. The first hour is completely pointless and bares no relation to the next half an hour. The characters are poorly developed and have no real personality. The film starts with an hour-long (seemingly) unedited wedding video. Then some guy shoots a deer. Then it immediately jumps into a Vietnamese battlefield, with no explanation whatsoever or anything to make a link between the most boring hour in the history of movies and the next half an hour. Even the bit which actually has some action can pretty much be summarised by a one minute cutscene in the game Call of Duty: Black Ops. So the only bit that's actually exciting or eventful in this film features half an hour of Russian Roulette. That's it. So my advice: if you want to watch this film, just find a 20 minute clip of it and there's the entire film for you. There's no story behind it at all.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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10

DaveJun 29, 2006

The best, period. But, only if you are capable of appreciatiing and understanding such quality.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

8

DoubleFeatureSep 25, 2011

Terribly rated, also the metascore not accurate, this film deep and so aualitive about true friendship, the best story about Vietnam how the cinema reviewers dare to give it 50 points?! or 60 looks a lot of people don't even finish to watch,Terribly rated, also the metascore not accurate, this film deep and so aualitive about true friendship, the best story about Vietnam how the cinema reviewers dare to give it 50 points?! or 60 looks a lot of people don't even finish to watch, in my matter of taste very strong film with fantastic casting / acting and direction.

My Rate: 8 and half out of 10… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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9

ahmedaiman9999Jun 14, 2018

Its running length may annoy some, and it's criticized for being self-indulgent, and for having a problematic message. And while I can see that it could have been more shorter, I think that it has this great emotional impact because CiminoIts running length may annoy some, and it's criticized for being self-indulgent, and for having a problematic message. And while I can see that it could have been more shorter, I think that it has this great emotional impact because Cimino took his time in a very long first act that made us dive into the characters, and most importantly, their relationship. This first act with all its very very long scenes that feel as they were unedited is what made us care deeply about his characters when they were thrown inside a terrifically tense, gut-wrenching second act. That's how Cimino made us thoroughly disturbed, and have mixed, and vague feelings that result in creating a great catharsis at the third act. Every actor gave a very realistic performance, needless to say that both De Niro and Meryl Streep shine, but Christopher Walken's Oscar-winning performance is the standout here. All the characters are fully-developed, and fleshed out, but they are incredibly realistic and three-dimensional that can be analyzed as they are Shakespearean or Tolstoyan characters.

I can't believe or describe how emotionally sweeping and overwhelming this epic is.

(9/10)… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

zNeverSleepingSep 24, 2020

Essa obra me fez sentir sensações quais nunca imaginei passar.

A construção de personagem é meticulosamente bem feita, desde o primeiro ato até o ultimo. A duração do filme se torna necessária para que haja muito bem uma relação entre causaEssa obra me fez sentir sensações quais nunca imaginei passar.

A construção de personagem é meticulosamente bem feita, desde o primeiro ato até o ultimo. A duração do filme se torna necessária para que haja muito bem uma relação entre causa e efeito se tratando dos personagens. A relação entre o grupo é muito verossímil, com diálogos, reações e divergências muito reais. O que vemos a principio se reverbera nos momentos traumáticos que o filme vem a explorar no segundo ato e, de verdade, é uma das cenas mais agoniantes que já vi.

O modo como Michael Cimino construiu as cenas da roleta russa é assustadora. Você se sente com os personagens. Seja na tensão inicial até o alivio futuro. A cenografia, direção de arte e fotografia estavam perfeitamente alinhadas com o que o roteiro pedia. As interpretações estão num nível fora do normal. Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken e John Savage dão tudo de si aqui e elevam o drama a outro nível. A ultima cena da roleta russa é traumatizante. Lembro de chorar ao ver o De Niro apertar o gatilho, e muito mais após me dar conta do que teria acontecido logo depois.

Nesta obra se explora as consequências da guerra no ser humano. Quando eu era criança, amava os filmes de ação com esta narrativa [guerra]. Mas quanto mais cresço e aprendo, mais percebo quão estupida é a atitude de romantizar a mesma. Filmes como esse tem minha atenção, pois eles vão muito além da ação solaz, diálogos fúteis e perda de tempo. Eles focam no que há de mais importante: humanidade.

Audio: English, with original subtitles - Q60T 50' TV Speakers [DTS 5.1]
Quality: 1080p SDR [Remastered Bluray]… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

PANCHO_SANSAAug 15, 2019

What a dumb movie, it never makes a point and it's just so boring. We can stop talking about this overrated movie now. From it's cartoonish female characters to racist portrayals of vietnamese, it doesn't explore the consequences of the warWhat a dumb movie, it never makes a point and it's just so boring. We can stop talking about this overrated movie now. From it's cartoonish female characters to racist portrayals of vietnamese, it doesn't explore the consequences of the war and only wants to show how much the white kids suffered.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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10

JonathanOct 2, 2005

My favourite movie of all time. GREAT!!!!!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

9

D.T.Sep 20, 2005

This is to Vietnam what "Best Years of Our Lives" was for World War II. An excellent telling of war affecting a small town. Lives are changed for those who go as well for those who stay behind. Acting is at the peak of it's period - This is to Vietnam what "Best Years of Our Lives" was for World War II. An excellent telling of war affecting a small town. Lives are changed for those who go as well for those who stay behind. Acting is at the peak of it's period - along with Dog Day Afternoon, the best of the 70's.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

9

UCLASep 16, 2005

Great movie. Not Deniro's best but still one of his great movies.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

10

VidsRuleSep 27, 2012

This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it's even better on bluray. With this movie you are witnessing this people, places, and circumstances; you are not watching a bunch of actors read a script. It is like they placed camerasThis is one of my favorite movies of all time, and it's even better on bluray. With this movie you are witnessing this people, places, and circumstances; you are not watching a bunch of actors read a script. It is like they placed cameras aroung a small steel towm, and around vietnom and simply observed. I am there with these characters and I lose friends when they die or withdraw. Oh, and Robert D's character Micheal is the most powerful character ever put on film. This movie always competes for the #1 spot for me.… Expand