For me, this is Willem Dafoe's best film. The whole movie belongs to him: he's in virtually every scene, and the abstract, spare nature of the script allows the director to focus his camera on the star's craggy features, capturing the look and spirit of a haunted but determined man who must do the right thing despite the odds stacked against him.

Admittedly, THE HUNTER isn't for all tastes: it's slow indeed, and the essential narrative has a few plot holes and unbelievable bits here and there. But I loved it to bits. The atmosphere building is spot on, and rural Tasmania is brought to life in a wonderful way. The likes of Sam Neill and Dan Wyllie may play stereotypes, but they're entertaining ones, and Frances O'Connor is excellent as a damaged character.

Much of the running time consists of Dafoe stalking through a deserted landscape, and these scenes are exquisitely beautiful with some of the best cinematography I've seen in an Australian movie. The ending is inevitable but tragic nonetheless. A fantastic film overall.

Martin David (Willem Dafoe) is a professional hunter hired by the powerful biotech company Red Leaf to hunt down the last Tasmanian tiger, dissect it, and extract its DNA. He poses as an university scientist and stays with Lucy Armstrong (Frances O'Connor) and her kids. Lucy's husband is an eco-warrior, and has been missing since last summer. But they didn't just sent in Martin. Others are on the hunt. The locals aren't too happy either.

If this was simply Willem Dafoe a hunter out in the wild, there may be a good story. When he befriends the family, there was a possibility that something great could happen. Then the locals get mean. And I don't understand. Another pro try to muscle in, and I was willing to forget the locals. Then Sam Neill is revealed, Lucy gets killed offscreen, and I'm completely confused. And Martin's decision to resolve the whole situation just makes no sense. There are too many things going on. They needed clean this up, and explain things better. It could have been so much better.

The independent and lonely hunter Martin David (Willem Dafoe) is hired by the powerful biotech company Red Leaf to hunt down the last Tasmanian tiger. Red Leaf is interested in the DNA of the animal and Martin travels to Tasmania alone.

He poses of a researcher from a university and is lodged in the house of Lucy Armstrong (Frances O'Connor). Martin leans that Lucy's husband has been missing for a long time and he befriends her children, Sass (Morgana Davies) and Bike (Finn Woodlock).

When Martin goes to the village, he has a hostile reception from the locals. Along the days, Martin spends his days in the Tasmanian wilderness chasing the Tiger and becomes closer and closer to the Armstrong family. But Red Leaf wants results no matter the costs.

"The Hunter" is a beautiful and dramatic film with an unpredictable and sad plot. The Tasmania landscape is certainly the great attraction of film that is supported by a good story, two lovely children (Morgana Davies and Finn Woodlock) and the excellent Willem Dafoe. It is also great to see again Frances O'Connor, who had disappeared from the "big screen". My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): O Caçador" "The Hunter")