"Once upon a time in Nazi occupied France..." At least Tarrantino doesn't bite off more than he can chew. His movies are getting to be like McDonald's franchises; you pretty much get the same food no matter which McDonald's you go to, but it's usually also always pretty good. Our story, which is quite clever in concept and creatively quirked just right to add a blend of sick humor and righteous indignation, begins in the small farmhouse of a French man who is hiding a Jewish family. Unfortunately the man who comes to call on that day is Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) from the SS, better known as the "Jew Hunter".
This character, as typical for Tarrantino, is well fleshed out and a gem of a role. Watch Waltz rack up the awards this season as his work is flawless. He speaks at least four different languages throughout the course of the film and does so effortlessly. We then meet Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) a man from the deep South with strong convictions about killing Nazis. His men, the Basterds, are a band of Jewish soldiers whose main aim is to kill as many Nazis as possible. This is an understatement. Although Pitt's character is much more comical (see him channel George Clooney) he is as scary and powerful as Landa, just in a different way. His band of “merry men” is also colorful and distinct.
Coming full circle, several years after the farmhouse incident, we meet the one who got away who now operates a cinema. A assertive Nazi admirer persistently and successfully sets up the premiere of his pro-Nazi propaganda war film at her establishment which sets her mind to figuring how many top heads of the regime she can kill at this large gathering of the top ranked. It is pure joy to watch Pitt try to pass himself off for a Southern drawled Italian speaking patron of the film's opening. Interestingly enough, ony about 1/3 of this film is spoken in English, the rest German, French and a little Italian.
Like any good screenplay, toward the end, all looks lost when Landa looks like he's both won and will get away with everything. Again with a classic Tarrantino twist, Raine makes sure that it isn't as easy as that and some modicum of order is restored to the Universe.
There is no way to effectively nor holistically cover ever clever bit, every smart performance or every neat cameo in this small time and space. Tarrantino puts so much into his films with an eye for detail that rewards astute viewers. He began this film before his work on Kill Bill and one can see the concepts that began in this film were carried out more fully in Kill Bill. (Be prepared, strong rumors for a Kill Bill 3 are in the air). There is a Mexican standoff, a new father who is spared his life due to his newborn, and the showing of bare feet, among others. This is maybe the first film where he hasn't worked with his usual core of repeat offenders, although Samuel Jackson and Harvey Keitel both lend their voices for the project. It's refreshing to see him take such a different turn and while still making it a trademark Tarrantino film.
BIG bite: Although an odd subject, a very clever and original film. I'll see it again.
As much as it is that I love Tarantino movies, I don't think this one had the same charm that his other films had. Also it seems to have the 'Tarantino Formula' applied to it a little much: obscure movie references, witty dialogue, quick action bits and gore. As a whole I think it felt too 'put together.'
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