When I received the press release for Daniel Nettheim's The Hunter on Blu-ray, it was the first I'd heard of the film. Normally that is a sign that the film is probably a bit low rent and not something on which I tend to spend my increasingly precious time. However, one name in the credits led me to take a second glance, and that was Willem Dafoe. Dafoe's career is filled with stellar performances in often otherwise less than stellar films, so the least I was expecting was a great turn from him in a mediocre film. Thankfully I greatly underestimated The Hunter, this film is definitely one to check out.
When a biological research firm gets word of a sighting of the supposedly extinct Tasmanian Tiger, they send out their best hunter, Willem Dafoe's Martin David, to track the beast down and bring it in. Dafoe sets up camp with a local family in the Tasmanian woods, and there sparks an unlikely connection between the recently widowed Lucy and her children, Sass and Bike. When Martin strays from the path set for him by his employer, things get sticky and the hunter becomes the hunted.
Willem Dafoe does, indeed, give another powerhouse performance in The Hunter. His Martin David is a man whose principles are more malleable than he first lets on. Early on it becomes clear that the Tasmanian Tiger is merely the MacGuffin needed to start this family drama about a man with no family. Though his act in The Hunter is one of very few words, Dafoe has one of the most expressive faces in the business, and this role was tailor-made for him. Most of his acting is not opposite Lucy or the children, but rather the backdrop of the unforgiving wilds of Tasmania, which is an imposing character all on its own. Willem Dafoe is one of those men who could, and perhaps should, be nominated for an Oscar every year, but isn't. The Hunter is yet another missed opportunity, but not through any fault of his.
A large part of the film's early tension comes from the viewer uncertainty as to what the story is even about. Is it really about the tiger? Is it an environmental cautionary tale? Is it a love story? It doesn't become clear until late in the game what is really going on, and even then it is a bit murky, however, that doesn't stop The Hunter from being quite engrossing and one of the biggest missed chances of 2011. With the release peaking at 17 screens in the USA, I don't think this one got a fair shake, but now you have the opportunity to give the film its due.
The Hunter is a huge surprise and while perhaps not in my best of 2011 list, it is still a film very deserving of attention.
The Disc:
Magnolia makes good products, and this Blu-ray of The Hunter is no exception. The image shows a good amount of fine detail, though it is difficult to determine the color accuracy as much of the film seems to have been color graded toward green. I assume it's correct, but I have no way to confirm that. In any case, it looks good, as Magnolia releases typically do. The audio is excellent, with the DTS-HD MA surround track immersing the viewer in the Tasmanian bush effectively and allowing the film to work on a whole other level.
The main extra on the disc is a half-hour making of featurette which helps to explain some of the character motivations and the motivations behind filming this story in the first place. There is also an audio commentary which doesn't stand out as above average and some deleted scenes with optional commentary that perhaps over-explain the characters. The featurette is pretty decent, though, and definitely the best of the extras in this package.
I wish The Hunter had gotten a better release and landed a more receptive audience, but thankfully we get a second chance to support it. Recommended.
When a biological research firm gets word of a sighting of the supposedly extinct Tasmanian Tiger, they send out their best hunter, Willem Dafoe's Martin David, to track the beast down and bring it in. Dafoe sets up camp with a local family in the Tasmanian woods, and there sparks an unlikely connection between the recently widowed Lucy and her children, Sass and Bike. When Martin strays from the path set for him by his employer, things get sticky and the hunter becomes the hunted.
Willem Dafoe does, indeed, give another powerhouse performance in The Hunter. His Martin David is a man whose principles are more malleable than he first lets on. Early on it becomes clear that the Tasmanian Tiger is merely the MacGuffin needed to start this family drama about a man with no family. Though his act in The Hunter is one of very few words, Dafoe has one of the most expressive faces in the business, and this role was tailor-made for him. Most of his acting is not opposite Lucy or the children, but rather the backdrop of the unforgiving wilds of Tasmania, which is an imposing character all on its own. Willem Dafoe is one of those men who could, and perhaps should, be nominated for an Oscar every year, but isn't. The Hunter is yet another missed opportunity, but not through any fault of his.
A large part of the film's early tension comes from the viewer uncertainty as to what the story is even about. Is it really about the tiger? Is it an environmental cautionary tale? Is it a love story? It doesn't become clear until late in the game what is really going on, and even then it is a bit murky, however, that doesn't stop The Hunter from being quite engrossing and one of the biggest missed chances of 2011. With the release peaking at 17 screens in the USA, I don't think this one got a fair shake, but now you have the opportunity to give the film its due.
The Hunter is a huge surprise and while perhaps not in my best of 2011 list, it is still a film very deserving of attention.
The Disc:
Magnolia makes good products, and this Blu-ray of The Hunter is no exception. The image shows a good amount of fine detail, though it is difficult to determine the color accuracy as much of the film seems to have been color graded toward green. I assume it's correct, but I have no way to confirm that. In any case, it looks good, as Magnolia releases typically do. The audio is excellent, with the DTS-HD MA surround track immersing the viewer in the Tasmanian bush effectively and allowing the film to work on a whole other level.
The main extra on the disc is a half-hour making of featurette which helps to explain some of the character motivations and the motivations behind filming this story in the first place. There is also an audio commentary which doesn't stand out as above average and some deleted scenes with optional commentary that perhaps over-explain the characters. The featurette is pretty decent, though, and definitely the best of the extras in this package.
I wish The Hunter had gotten a better release and landed a more receptive audience, but thankfully we get a second chance to support it. Recommended.