From The White Lotus, Reality Bites, and Happy, Texas to War for the Planet of the Apes and Diary of Wimpy Kid, Steve Zahn is celebrated for his ability to bring nuance, empathy, and authenticity to a wide range of characters - qualities that also mark the performances in Michael Cimino’s 1978 The Deer Hunter. Starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage, with John Cazale and Meryl Streep in supporting roles, the film offers a naturalistic depiction of working class life in 1970s America.
With an estimated 50+ viewings to date, Steve has thought A LOT about this film. With Cooper and Tabitha, he unpacks The Deer Hunter’s complex interplay of community, friendship, trauma, and war within the Vietnam era. We learn about his first cassette tape purchase, the draw of military history, the power of song to express what speech cannot, and why he insists that his own kids pay attention to the movies.
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