This is 3 hours I'll never get back. And with only about 15 minutes of actual deer hunting, the title is doing a lot of heavy lifting. 2 stars for shoutin out Clairton PA, Steelers references, and westen PA beers. De Niro and Streep are great, but even with 90 minutes of slow character intros, I didn't connect with anyone here. A runtime that should come with a punch card, a skewed thought of the Vietnam war, and an unnecessarily patriotic ending. The camerawork wanted to be Apocalypse Now and the writing wanted to be more epic but it all falls short. The abrupt cuts to different scenes also made me think they cut out parts but how could that be possible with this much bloat. Make it under 2 hrs and maybe we have something. 395/500 movies & tv for 2023

"The Deer Hunter" stands as one of the pioneering films that deeply explores the profound impact of war and the act of warfare itself. It skillfully presents its narrative in three distinct parts: pre-war, during war, and post-war, deftly contrasting and occasionally mirroring them. While the movie's bleak and depressive nature made it a challenging watch at times, this only serves as a testament to its remarkable realism. The film's exceptional writing, coupled with the stellar performances of Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, and John Savage, elevated its emotional storytelling to new heights. Each character delivered a remarkable portrayal, capturing the essence of this highly poignant story flawlessly. It's worth noting the film's stunning cinematography, which graced the screen with consistently incredible shots throughout. The delicately crafted score further enhanced the visual experience, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. However, it's fair to mention that the film's three-hour runtime occasionally led to a stretched-out viewing experience, particularly given the heavy dose of misery in its second half. Yet, it becomes evident that the film's prolonged duration was necessary to authentically convey a story that simply could not be rushed.