The first and foremost thing to review is probably (and
unfairly) Tarantino’s most defining element - the portrayal of violence. To
those of you that are shocked by the presence of this, I would like to remind
you that this is a western, and its one of those rare westerns involving guns.
The violence in this film is bloody and graphic, not all the
way through, but there are some decidedly messy scenes. I would like to draw
your attention to the fact that shooting people (although I’ve not been on the
receiving end) is apparently very painful and can be very messy. Is it not more
grotesque to “educate” people that when somebody is shot, they merely hold
their chest, go stiff and fall down. If you can not appreciate the violence of
a gun shot, don’t watch a film with guns. This sort of brushing over of the
seriousness of a gunshot is what leads to real life crimes involving kids
shooting their best mates, because they think they will just “re-spawn”
somewhere else.
Another subject in this film that is portrayed with brutal
honesty is the treatment of slaves. Tarantino was actually asked whether it was
appropriate that he, being white, addressed issues relating to the American
Slave Trade. “Bo**ocks”, was Tarantino’s response. As though the colour of his
skin means he does not have the same sensibilities and respect of a tragedy
that ended in 1865 as someone of African American heritage. How old are these
African Americans who KNOW how terrible it was? 160? Nobody can know how the
horrors of those times felt, but we can all imagine and respect, regardless of
nationality. And personally I have not come across a film that has so
relentlessly portrayed the horrendous conditions and treatment that the slaves
suffered.
Amidst these frankly preposterous controversies lies, in my
opinion, Tarantino’s greatest work. The cinematography, the acting, the script,
the soundtrack, all uniquely Tarantino-esque, but reaching new heights of
brilliance. It is so good that for the first time, despite being a
self-contained story, I am longing for a sequel. Previously I had been happy
for the next different project to be pursued…
…but this time I just want more Django.
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