Directed by Michael Cimino
Screenplay by Deric Washburn, Story by Deric Washburn, Quinn K. Redeker, Michael Cimino and Louis Garfinkle
Starring Robert DeNiro, Meryl Streep, John Savage, Christopher Walken and John Cazale
The Deer Hunter might be the darkest film to ever win Best Picture, and if not the darkest, then at least the bleakest. Certainly, over the years the Academy has recognized pictures that were not of the sunniest disposition – after all, Hamlet is several hours of brooding, followed by Hamlet’s death – but on the whole, the Academy has shown a decided tendency towards films that could either be called heartwarming, uplifting, or hopeful. Think about Gigi, Around the World in 80 Days, Rocky, et al. And even some of the darkest to win Best Picture haven’t been all that dark. Continue reading
