This in itself isn't a bad thing, but given the insane amount of hype and Oscar buzz it's generated it has become relevant to the discussion. Since The Revenant released in cinemas, audiences, critics and the media haven't stopped talking about DiCaprio's performance. Yes, the performance is good. Yes, Leo will almost certainly win the 2016 Academy Award for Best Actor. But this is more to do with timing than anything else (there are no other obvious frontrunners). There's a weight and heft to Hugh Glass's movement that is laudable, and it's no secret how physical DiCaprio got during the shoot, eating wild berries and raw meat and dragging himself through frozen lakes...but it's a more a victory for the make-up and prop department than anything else. DiCaprio's constant gurgling, grimacing, panting and wailing would be nothing if not for the how the character actually looks: the deep, festering wounds that trace his body, the dirt on his skin and in his hair, his torn clothes and heavy bear pelt. Take all of this away and there isn't a massive amount of nuance to the role; we don't actually see much range. Yes, the physicality is captivating, but it's so visual that it's hard not to feel bad for the artists who tore DiCaprio apart and gradually stitched him back together. Leo's Best Actor nomination would be nothing without them. Did you love The Revenant? Share your reactions below in the comments thread.
