Director/Writer: Quentin Tarantino
Cast Members: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson
Runtime: 165 min
Rating: R
Many consider the films of Quentin Tarantino to be a bit of a guilty pleasure, admitting to enjoying them only sheepishly. Indeed, these movies are full of graphic violence and potentially offensive subject matter. While Tarantino does appear to delight in pushing the boundaries of good taste, the performances he is able to craft from his actors result in mesmerizing and highly entertaining works of film, and Django Unchained is no exception.
After purchasing and subsequently freeing slave Django (Jamie Foxx), bounty hunter Dr. Schultz (Christoph Waltz) befriends him before training him to become his partner. Eventually, the two embark on a quest to rescue Django’s wife (Kerry Washington) from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio).
Django is a wild ride of a movie that does not adhere to perceived rules of genre or film in general. An established and beloved director such as Tarantino may adopt a devil-may-care attitude and make whatever artistic decisions they see fit, demonstrated here by anachronistic music and what would be considered ‘corny’ camera shots and zooms in the hands of anybody else. Tarantino’s style has become so recognizable that he is permitted to do just as he pleases. The film also characteristically juxtaposes brutal violence and disturbing content with scenes of wicked humor. Without these moments of lightness, the film may have become self important or overtly offensive. However, it is clear that this movie does not take itself too seriously; whenever the tone becomes two heavy, clever dialogue allows ironic humor to release the tension and the films status as satire to be fore grounded.
Watching Best Supporting Actor nominee Christoph Waltz perform is always a pleasure, regardless of role or film. Here, as a German dentist turned bounty hunter who abhors slavery but is willing to use it to his advantage, Waltz offers a captivating performance from which it is impossible to look away. Each word, expression, and gesture seems calculated and decisive. Another nominee in this category that had this affect was Tommy Lee Jones in his role in Lincoln, and I believe the race for this title will come down to these equally talented individuals. The film’s electric dialogue crackles with wit, making a win for Tarantino in the category of Best Original Screenplay a tangible possibility. Although Django did receive a Best Picture nomination, it was shut out of both the Best Director and Film Editing categories, so it is unlikely that the film will take home the ultimate prize. Although I found the film to be well crafted and highly engaging, I believe its greatest merit lies in the captivating performances of its actors and its screenplay, and should receive recognition as such.
This boundary pushing film is undoubtedly entertaining, and although some may consider the subject matter to be offensive, a humorous tone leaves no doubt as to its intended purpose of satire and it should be viewed as such. The film is carried by Waltz’s mesmerizing turn as Dr. Schultz, and this talented actor certainly deserves recognition.
Photo Credits: Alliance Films / The Weinstein Company
