I have tried to write a post about Inglourious Basterds a few times this week. Each time I scrap it. Nothing I write seems indicative of how I feel about the film. I like to pretend to be a film critic. However, with Basterds I really don't even know where to begin dissecting this film.In true Tarentino fashion, Inglourious Basterds is 90% dialog between characters and 10% flourishes of graphic violence and action. If you don't like anything else QT has ever done, then chances are you won't like Basterds. However, I might suggest you still give it a try. It is more linear than a lot of his other films. It also seems to be a bit more accessible. Most people will find something of interest with at least one of the characters. Speaking of characters, this film has my favorite character of the last year. No, it is not Brad Pitt with his over-exaggerated southern drawl. Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa is amazing to watch on screen. Landa is so charismatic and interesting, yet so evil. I found each of his scenes captivating. I could watch him deliver those same lines over and over and never get bored. His performance sticks out among tons of great acting. This is by far one of the best acted movies I have seen in a long time. The only character I didn't completely connect with was Pitt's Aldo Raine. I didn't think he did a bad job acting, it was just how over-the-top Raine was. He, along with Hitler, were like cartoon characters in a film otherwise dominated by dire circumstances and serious performances. Everything in the final cut of this film worked really well for me. However, I would like to see another version where Raine is much more of a badass. Moe like the Hugo Stiglitz character. Alas, I will never get that opportunity, so I will be happy with what is there.
There is so much going on with this film. I could ramble on for pages and it would be meaningless to anybody who hasn't seen it. I have thought about this movie a ton, and love to talk about it at every opportunity I get. My goal with this blog is to urge everybody to see it if you haven't already. True fans of film will at least be able to appreciate the cinematography and acting, even if you don't connect with the story. Once you've seen it, I would love to know what you thought and talk to you about it.
I can't wait to watch it again. I am sure I missed several things that will require a second viewing to truly appreciate. I am usually not one for owning movies, but this might have to be my first blu-ray purchase (along with Fight Club). Inglourious Basterds is a great film that I can see myself revisiting several times.
-deric
Filed Under: Drama, Pitt, Tarentino