Inglourius Basterds is glorious: Movie Review
By Megan Carroll
Do not miss this movie!!!
Inglorious Basterds is action-packed, heavy on the talking, and bursting with the typical violence you are use to seeing in a Tarantino film. It is full of performances worthy of Golden Globes or Oscars. It’s as awesome as Quentin Tarantino’s first two films, and as entertaining as his most recent few.
The film begins in German-occupied France during World War II, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of the Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christopher Waltz). Somehow, Shosanna narrowly escapes and flees to Paris. We find out later in the film that she creates a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema.
In another part of Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) leads a group of Jewish soldiers to forge violent attacks of retribution. Known to their enemy as “The Basterds”, Raine’s squad joins an undercover agent, better known as German actress Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger), on a mission to kill the leaders of the Third Reich. The multiple storylines and the fate of the characters come together at Shosanna’s cinema, where she has positioned herself to carry out her own plan of revenge.
This thrilling, methodically planned film by Tarantino seems to do no wrong. His hardball reputation is definitely intact. Actually, I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea of someone being this talented and brilliant. I sat in utter wonderment as I watched this film and bowed down to its brilliance. No surprise that the dialogue is slow and meticulous thought out. His choice in actors is spot on and allows his vision to be portrayed with perfection. Every decision he made while writing, casting and directing seems in synch.
The most important part of this film is Tarantino’s unforgettable style. It is his mastery of the art and craft of filmmaking that allows him to create such multi-layered stories and characters. Because filmmaking flows through his veins, it is not ironic that the last act is played out in a movie theatre. With multiple twists and turns at the end it keeps you guessing, albeit you are often tempted to turn away. Tarantino has never shied away from violence.
Another wonderful point of this film is the relative unfamiliarity of the actors, with the exception of Brad Pitt. Laurent and Waltz’s work is award worthy. You have never seen a Nazi brought to life like Waltz does in this film and Laurent’s cool revival of the ‘40s heroine is beautiful. And Pitt’s performance is surprisingly humorous and genuinely entertaining. With all of the attention around his personal life, I think we can now fondly remember his loveable honey bear bowl stoner character from Tarantino’s True Romance.
Actors like Michael Myers play the Nazi elites with over-the-top clownish enthusiasm, no doubt with the director egging them on. The effect of this over-acting helps the audience forget the depth of the Nazi’s inhumanity and makes it easier to see them as more human than murderers. The dream world Tarantino has created for us protects us.
Robert Richardson’s cinematography is a perfect fit and gives this film a wonderful foundation to build upon. Tarantino structured this film so well that it captures your full attention, establishes the main players and weaves them all together flawlessly. As always there is a western Japanese influence lurking below and because of that, it gives the film a fresh and off beat feel. It leaves its mark just as Lt. Aldo Raine (Pitt) does to his enemies.
If you have already seen this film or if you go see this movie after you have read this article, you will understand why I end this with one word—Masterpiece!
