Thursday 3 September 2009

Film Review - Inglourious Basterds


****
'Quentun Tarentino' seems to be at a dangerous point in his directorial career.

From judging the general consensus of opinion surrounding the controversial film maker, it appears he needs to step up and realise the full potential of his indubitable talent.

I don't agree. Kill Bill Vol. 2 was a superb film, stylistically perfect and thematically intriguing with its tale of the revenge bride played immaculately by Uma Thurman.

However, I can appreciate some of the criticisms levelled at the man. He's a geeky, obsessive fan boy who prefers nothing more than splattering his knowledge of cult film across his movies, his interviews, across his very person, all with a relish that can at times be excruciating.

In 'Inglourious Basterds', a World War 2 fantasy Jewish revenge, so desperate is he to 'tip a knowing wink' at his audience, that at times he risks undermining the very fabric of the film.

There are some seriously odd moments, none more so than Mike Myers' appearance as a British Field Marshal, accompanied, no less, by Winston Churchill sitting at a grand piano! It could be a weird and wonderful scene cut straight from an Austin Powers movie.

Another sees one of the more prominent 'Basterds', a guerrilla fighting team of raging Jews whose mission it is to scalp as many Nazis as possible, enter the fray to a musical flourish and stencilled yellow lettering proclaiming his name. It resembles the opening credits of the 'A-Team' for chuffs sake!

Mark Kermode, one of my favourite movie critics, certainly agrees.



The more astute of you will notice I've spent the first half of this review pretty much slagging Tarantino off. Why then, I hear you ask, have I lavished 4 golds stars on the thing?

The answer is, that despite these admitted foibles, it's impossible not to enjoy the film immensely. There are scenes of unbridled tension and suspense which Hitchcock himself would have been proud of. The tavern scene in particular is so fantastically written that you can't help but appreciate the genius.

The characters too are exceptional. Brad Pitt as 'Aldo Raine', leader of 'the Basterds', is a joy to watch and both Diane Kruger and Melanie Laurent are excellent. One of the great skills of Tarantino is his ability to write strong female roles particularly in this case Laurent's vengeful cinema owner.

Christoph Waltz stands head and shoulders above the rest however with his unparalled 'jew hunter' Colonel Landa, whispers of an Oscar nomination are already doing the rounds and I expect it's with some justification.

Ultimately, it can't be denied that this film still feels special, packed as it is with talking points and memorable moments. Despite the obvious flaws, few filmakers are able to create such intrigue, impact and enjoyment from a film. His masterpiece it is not, yet when Quentin finally does grow up, we'll be all the more sorry for the loss of his childlike qualities.