When one looks at the film The Hunter, directed by Daniel Nettheim, one expects to see an entertaining popcorn flick with some nice characters, some good action, and a decent way to spend two hours. The reality however, is that the film is even deeper than expected: it wrenches at both the heart and the mind in a way that few films do, being the center in a piece covered with action and deep character moments throughout. It is truly an emotional spectacle, and one that should be seen by all.
The film begins when Martin David (Willem Dafoe), a mercenary, is hired by a corporation to capture the rare and elusive Tasmanian tiger, the last of the species. In order to do this, David must go undercover as a scientist and live with a family who has been there for years; a family who is suffering from the loss of the man of the house, an environmental activist who wanted to preserve the trees that local loggers are cutting down. This economic tension, as well as the family’s attempt to cope with the uncertainty of a loved one’s death, sets the stage for David’s entrance into the community. He begins to bond with the family and neglect his work looking for the tiger, prompting the corporation to send someone else after the animal. What sounds like an action thriller is actually far more introspective, however. Much time is spent on the nature of the search and the tiger itself, as well as the fight within the community over jobs. This provides an emotional and intellectual current that gives the film the powerful weight that it does.
One of the reasons the film is successful is in the amount of time where the visuals speak for themselves. A large portion of the film is David going through the woods by himself, and dialogue would serve no purpose in these sequences. Nettheim shows his masterful directing by letting the atmosphere and the objects in the forest speak for themselves. Nothing is spelled out or dumbed down for the audience, yet we understand the emotional i
mpact of each and every scene and how it affects David and the family that he learns to call his own. The cinematography shines here as well, as the natural beauty of the landscape is a wonder to behold.
The leading man himself, Willem Dafoe, does a wonderful job as well, though it can be difficult to realize, due to the nature of the role. Martin David is a very reserved person, and it may seem to some at first that Dafoe is not showing any emotion whatsoever. Even when the film’s energy builds, Dafoe rarely extends his range beyond a brief smile or warm gesture. But that is part of the strength of his performance: that one can care so much about a character without seeing them spill their heart out with a wide range of emotions. The charm of Martin David is the warmth that is difficult to see under the icy surface. But once you see it, you care for the character just like the family does.
The film isn’t perfect—certain moments can be extremely depressing for people, and it may not be the type of movie for a family movie night, but it is a wonderful and emotionally charged piece regardless.
Film Rating: Emotionally powerful. Absolutely worth a look (9/10)
Special Features: Not much to see, though the making of is interesting. If you’re curious you should watch, but nothing mind-blowing.
Special Features Rating: 4/10
The Hunter is now available on Blu-ray and DVD from Magnolia Home Entertainment
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