Trademarks
Cimino's films are often marked by their striking visual style and controversial subject matter. Elements of Cimino's visual sensibility include shooting in widescreen (in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio), deliberate pacing and big set-piece/non-dialogue sequences. The subject matter in Cimino's films frequently focuses on aspects of American history and culture, notably disillusionment over the American Dream. His films are considered controversial for his one-sided storytelling and lack of factual accuracy. Other trademarks include:
- Casting of non-professional actors in supporting roles (Chuck Aspegren as Axel in The Deer Hunter, Ariane in Year of the Dragon)
- Frequently casts Mickey Rourke, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Walken and Richard Bauer
Cimino frequently credits Clint Eastwood, John Ford, Luchino Visconti and Akira Kurosawa as his cinematic influences. Cimino has said that if it wasn't for Eastwood, he would not be in the movies: "I owe everything to Clint." Cimino also gave his literary references as Nabokov, Pushkin, Leo Tolstoy, Gore Vidal, Raymond Carver, Cormac McCarthy, the classics of Islamic literature, Frank Norris and Steven Pinker.
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