I wonder if Michael Cimino has directed anything else since this film; it’s hard to imagine anyone following up something so disturbing and deeply affecting, which explores the toll war takes on the mind. The setting is Vietnam, and the story centers around men who made it back—though not unscathed—hoping for a return to some kind of normalcy, a trace of what they once knew, a flicker of their former selves. These th…

This is a really strong character-driven war story, featuring noteworthy performances from De Niro and Walken. Michael Cimino’s direction allows this three-hour movie to slowly build out its characters, offering a look at the mental toll of Vietnam and warfare more broadly. It would likely be worthwhile to watch alongside Apocalypse Now, which came out just seven months afterward in the States. I'd give it **4.5/5**.

Considering Cimino’s passing and the damage to his standing after 'Heaven's Gate', I felt compelled to watch 'The Deer Hunter'. Despite its considerable length, exceeding three hours, it’s remarkable, with a rhythm that feels precisely calibrated. It’s easy to understand how he gained the complete creative control that would ultimately contribute to his problems—and those of a studio—with his subsequent project. Howe…

This movie unfolds at a deliberate speed, offering a thoughtful portrayal of working-class Russian immigrants in America and how their children were affected by the Vietnam War. The unexpected inclusion of a Russian roulette sequence serves primarily as an artistic element within the film, but it’s integrated seamlessly into the narrative.