Reflection: “Inglourious Basterds”
15 Feb
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Along with my There Will Be Blood review, I also wrote a piece on Inglourious Basterds in the February 10th, 2010 issue of The Exponent. I was pretty pleased with the published article, and nothing from what I can tell was edited out from what I submitted in to Student Publications. The purpose of the review was to keep it to the minimum and just go over what worked and didn’t work for the film, which I felt I did pretty successfully. However, the film definitely has more to say which I didn’t have time to talk about in the review and some people may not even realize.
I truly feel Inglourious Basterds is a film that properly gives homage to the film industry in the early twentieth century. I didn’t realize this until I watched the special features on Blu-Ray, which goes into some detail of how Quentin chose the movie posters and names of actors and film directors of that time into the film. For example, Private Omar Ulmer (played by Omar Doom) is homage to an Austrian filmmaker, Edgar G. Ulmer. I realize this isn’t something new, especially for a Quentin Tarantino film, but the subtleness of it in Inglourious Basterds gives it a whole new layer of discovery and makes it more enjoyable during multiple viewings.
Another thing I did enjoy about this film was the mysteriousness of the characters. Inglourious Basterds definitely leaves a lot of plot points open for the audience to decide for themselves of what actually happen from point A to point B. What’s the story behind the neck scar on Lt. Aldo Raine (played by Brad Pitt)? How did Shosanna Dreyfus (played by Mélanie Laurent) actually acquire the movie cinema? These types of questions are always fun to answer because we have the ability to use our imagination. There is truly no wrong answer to these questions because we will most likely never know the real story because Quentin Tarantino enjoys the audience’s theories of what happened.
It’s also nice to see Inglourious Basterds having connections to previous Quentin Tarantino’s works even though it’s based in the 1940’s. One connection I caught was Sgt. Donnie “The Bear Jew” Donowitz (played by Eli Roth) shares the same last name as Lee Donowitz, who played the Hollywood producer in True Romance (which was written by Quentin Tarantino). Also the scream sound effect of the person that flew out of the window when the cinema blew up in the end was actually the sound effect made by Kurt Russell at the end of Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof. I could keep on listing more, but overall the connections to the “Tarantino-verse” give it a certain sense of charm to the fans of the director.
I for one am hoping that Inglourious Basterds gets at least a few awards at the upcoming Academy Awards. Even though Quentin has only done a handful of films, he has been able to make films that are completely unique and original compared to current films. I feel that this film should be the one that he gets a few Oscars for and is remembered by (besides Pulp Fiction). No matter what, he will continue to get work and we can only hope that it doesn’t take forever to see his next film.
- Dan Dreher
Tags: Dan Dreher, February 2010, Inglourious Basterds, Movie Review, Northern State University, Quentin Tarantino, The Exponent
Awesome review biggie D. This movie should collect some awards at the upcoming Academy Awards and is one of Tarantino’s best films yet.
I really hope so, it’s going against some great contenders. Christoph Waltz (who played “The Jew Hunter) has a good chance to pick up Best Supporting Actor.
I can’t decide if Tarantino let the characters be mysterious because he meant to or because he was attempting so many other things that he just forgot. Probably it’s the first one, but with the T-man you never can tell … and I think that’s the way he likes it. He, much like Alfred Hitchcock, likes to play his audience like a piano, I believe. Still, even if this mystery is intentional I still felt a little let down that we get to know so little about Shoshanna — she’s such an intriguing and powerful character.
Nice catch with the Donnie Donowitz/Lee Donowitz connection!
To Miss Carter -
I personally think that it’s mysterious because he meant to. Like you, I felt that Shoshanna was underrepresented in Inglourious Basterds because she was (in my opinion) a very strong-willed female character and could of been explored more in the film. The scene alone where she is introduced to Hans Landa (years after he ordered the soldiers to kill her family) at the Cafe was simply nerve-racking and at the same time suprised by how the character stayed cool and kept her composure. However for Shosanna’s case, Quentin actually wrote in the script of how Shosanna actually acquired the cinema (I believed it was mentioned in the Round Table Discussion with Elvis Mitchell which is one of the special features on the Blu-Ray/DVD release), but decided to leave it out for the reason of the audience’s imagination. Now is that truly the reason or was it cut out because it was running too long? I guess we will never know the real reason.
Thinking it’s got Best Supporting Actor in the bag and I’m hoping for Best Original Screenplay, too. But I would giggle like an idiot if it won Best Pic on top of it all. One of the best movies last year, great review, man.
Thank you Aiden, I really do appreciate the kind words. I know all signs are pointing for Christoph Waltz to win Best Supporting Actor (and rightfully so), but knowing the Academy Awards there’s never a “sure-thing”. I’m still bitter that Mickey Rourke didn’t get Best Actor for his performance in The Wrestler last year.
I would be giggling with you Aiden. I’m cool with Hurt Locker or Avatar winning as well, but I was to see Tarantino get his Oscar. I think he will for original screenplay (AGAIN) and that will be the Academy’s way of acknowledging him, but I believe it’s largely underscoring how fucking brilliant this movie was.
Dreher Bear: I do feel this is Tarantino’s best film since Pulp Fiction. Unquestionably it was a masterpiece. I’m a diehard fan of his, but this just blew me away.
I too would love to see Inglourious Basterds get Best Picture instead of the lame Avatar. Excellent review Dan.
I’m glad someone else shares the same opinion when it comes to Avatar. I appreciate the comment Castor
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A lot of talking, but is still such a great watch that brings Tarantino back to life. Thank the Lord, it has been too long!!
Yeah the dialogue does carry on during certain parts, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Quentin Tarantino film (haha). I’m really interested if Quentin does this “Southern” movie that was reported a week or so ago, and hopefully we don’t have to wait forever to see it. Thanks for commenting cmrok93!
I finally got my review done for this movie, and I felt like I didn’t do it justice as there’s just so much to say about this movie. I’m not even a Tarantino fan, so I saw this out of curiosity and boy, I’m sure glad I did. I do hope it’d win at least two Oscars: one for Christoph & the other for Original Screenplay (the dialog is just amazing!). I’d even root for Best Picture over The Hurt Locker & Avatar. I agree with you, this is one movie that’s great for repeated viewings.
I really do appreciate the comment rtm
. I really hope Christoph gets an Oscar for his amazing performance. I remember when it was in pre-production and there was talks (could of been a lousy rumor) about Leonardo DiCaprio playing Hans Landa. Don’t get me wrong, Leonardo is a terrific actor, but watching the final product I can’t see him pulling the role off as well as Christoph Waltz did.
Oh no, no, no… I didn’t know about Leo being considered as Landa, I don’t think he’d work at all. I mean the key to the role’s believability is in his linguistic skills, I don’t think Leo or other American actors possess that, that’s why Tarantino himself was worried he’s written a role that’s impossible to cast.
I wonder how Leo would have turned out. I know all you Basterds lover will protest (Waltz WAS fine) but I like the idea of a younger Landa…definitely more eerie. I’m still not too hot on the film, but I would have liked to know more about Diane Kruger’s scintillating Helen.
Waltz had the performance of a lifetime and was the best casting for the role, but I always find it interesting to think what somebody else would have been like in a role.
I personally think Leo could play Eliza Doolittle and make it convincing. He’s just that good to me. So, yes, I think he as Landa would have been an interesting, though not as good casting.
Heather your comment has me cracking up!