Review: Inglourious Basterds

Ah yes. After being in development for almost ten years, Inglourious Basterds has finally arrived. Going through a multitude of changes, Inglourious Basterds has finally found its way to movie theatres. Being a huge Tarantino fan (what self-respecting filmgoer isn't?), I was excited for this movie even eons before Grindhouse was released and the movie was set to star Michael Madsen and Steve Buscemi as US Soldiers who were about to be sent on a destructive mission in order to redeem themselves and avoid the firing squad. Bring us up to August 21st, and the film now stars Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Melanie Laurent, and Christoph Waltz. Pitt and Roth star respectively as members of an elite "Nazi-killing" squad known as The Basterds, sent into Normandy as plainclothes operatives, to do what Pitt's character Lt. Aldo Raine describes as "one thing and one thing only: killing Natzis". Roth plays the role of Staff Sergeant Donny Donowitz, a hulking obnoxious Bostonian who wields a Louisville Slugger and is aptly named "The Bear Jew" by the Nazis. Meanwhile, Kruger plays the esteemed German film star Bridget von Hammersmark, who in reality is a spy for the Allies. Melanie Laurent makes her major debut in English cinema as the French Jew Shosanna Dreyfus, who is the lone survivor of an execution order on her family. Colonel Hans Landa of the SS is played by Christoph Waltz, who is pridefully named "The Jew Hunter" for his persistence in tracking down Jews seeking refuge in Nazi-occupied France. For reasons different but similar, both The Basterds and Dreyfus, under the new identity of theatre-owner Emmanuelle Mimieux, take up missions to assassinate important members of the Third Reich at a film premiere being held at Emmanuelle's theatre. When it is discovered that Adolf Hitler will be attending the premiere, the stakes become dangerously -- and brutally higher.

With the plot carefully laid out, what did I make of the film? Well, I won't make you read through a wall of text to get to my final say, but I'll continue writing after I give you my overall take just because I can.

So yes, I'll say it. Save for Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Basterds is the best movie Quentin Tarantino has put forth. Looking at the $38.1 million dollars that the movie gathered in receipts, it looks to be up with Pulp Fiction as his most successful film financially as well. Anyways, yes. The movie is truly a treat. It takes the regular Tarantino tactics of detailed close-ups, unique camera points, awkward yet intriguingly long turns of dialogue, and of course lots of violence that likes to border on humour with its redundancy. What makes the film stand out is its unique setting in contrast with Tarantino's other exploits. This is Tarantino's first attempt at a historical piece (if you prefer to call it that), and as an expert filmmaker he does quite well. World War II is not only the most popular war genre to base a story around, but one of the most popular genres overall to put on 8mm. So of course, Tarantino has his work cut out for him. But in a way he doesn't, because the promotion of this movie tells any logical person that isn't a war epic. It's not even a war comedy, such as Dr. Strangelove. It's a throwback to the 1978 Italian war-film The Inglorious Bastards, and various other exploitation films, and is styled like a spaghetti-western with a Axis and Allies spin. So Tarantino doesn't have to capture the horrors of war, or illustrate the ordeals of the protagonists. Much like the movies it pays tribute to, Inglourious Basterds doesn't even have to have a coherent or realistic plot.

Yet, with all of this in mind, Inglourious Basterds is a potential Oscars darkhorse. While receiving mixed reviews at Cannes, it quickly picked up steam once critics began receiving screenings in North America and Europe. Christoph Waltz, who took home the Best Actor Award at Cannes, is the talk of a possible Oscar and Golden Globe recognition (actually, his chance for nomination for an Acting Award in the Musical/Comedy Award at the Globe is looking pretty good considering who has been nominated in the past few years).

Playing the SS Colonel Hans Landa, Waltz is absolutely astounding for an actor who has, for the majority of his film career, made his work in Germany and Austria. He portrays Landa as a romantic and polite Nazi Colonel, all the while being expertly coordinated and secretely sinister. Boasting his pride as the "Jew Hunter", Waltz's Landa practically proclaims his happiness for the Jews and his Fuhrer's need for their elimination, as he finds himself naturally adept of getting rid of them. From his precise mannerisms and long spats of dialogue, to his somewhat odd outbursts, Landa is someone that you truly love to hate, as if being a Nazi was not good enough. His performance as a cunning Nazi psychopath, much more of a "Bastard" than the heroes of the film, is more than worthy of an award or two.

Tarantino's portrayal of his leading actresses is also effective, in that they are given sex appeal without having to whorishly shove it down our throats, such as introducing them in a scene where they are bent over in jean shorts working on a motor bike in humid weather (hey, Megan Fox). As well, they are given quite a bit of importance in the film and aren't portrayed as brainless objects placed in the film to drive up revenue. It is actually their professionalism in their roles that both Melanie Laurent and Diane Kruger manage to grab a piece of the starlight. Dreyfus (played by Laurent), under the guise of Emmanuelle Mimieux, transforms from a haunted survivor to an established theatre-owner, and becomes set in her plan to rid the world of the Nazi leadership once it is confirmed the premiere of the film-within-the-film Nation's Pride will take place at her cinema. Meanwhile, Kruger, a native German, wonderfully plays the socialite actress with the awesome name of Bridget von Hammersmark, who moonlights as an elegant actress while feeding information to the British. Both women are not the stars that Tarantino favourite Uma Thurman is today, but they are both just as skilled at playing the take-no-bullshit gals that are staples of his films.

Of course, Brad Pitt, Eli Roth et. al. do not disappoint as the films titular protagonists. As Lieutenant Aldo "The Apache" Raine, Pitt shines as a soldier who has thrown ethical conduct in warfare to the wayside in his tireless hunt for Nazi blood (he is after all, a scalp collector). Raine is a man who wants things done, no matter the cost because to him the ends do justify the means. Speaking in a slick southern drawl, Raine marches The Basterds through Normandy on a Nazi-slaying adventure with a charming determination and a bag of puns and German-related insults, which just goes to show how Pitt can transform from the tender and wordly Benjamin Button to the foul-mouthed World War II veteran that he is in this film, as if it were two different people playing the roles. Meanwhile, his Staff Sergeant Donny Donowitz (Roth), a foul-mouthed, bat-wielder known as "The Bear Jew", is the perfect fit for an obnoxious brute who intimidates his enemies (and victims) while taunting them in his distinguished Bostonian accent. Clearly enjoying what they do, Raine, Donowitz and the rest of the Basterds chew through the Nazi ranks, and hilarity ensues.

While all of this takes place, the storyline itself flows smoothly, not following the trademark scene shuffling that makes Pulp Fiction or the Kill Bill films so unique, although the movie alternates between the different characters who are simultaneously concocting a plan to kill Hitler while oblivious to the existence of the other's scheme. And for anyone who complains about Inglourious Basterds lack of substance as a "war movie", then they should realize that in the end, the movie is less about war (I highly doubt it was Tarantino's intention to be compared with Saving Private Ryan and Platoon) than it is about the characters and their interactions. After all, Tarantino's films are always remembered by fans quoting exchanges of memorable dialogue, not by discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the story.

So yes, Inglourious Basterds is a winner. As of this writing (August 26th, 2009), I would have to say it is my favourite film of 2009.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10

Countdown's Begun (Part 3; Late Edition)

Yes, so I got a bit lazy/busy. With my trip to Ottawa last week and the decision to move out of my parent's house this week, I got behind, but alas, here is the final section of my Oscar preview. In Part 3, I will look at The Hurt Locker, Amelia, The Informant!, and Precious.

The Hurt Locker (directed by Kathryn Bigelow, released on June 26th, 2009)

Premiering at smaller film festivals last fall, The Hurt Locker was a movie that wasn't really pegged to be an Oscar favourite. As of today, there is little to no doubt the movie will secure one of the ten Best Picture nominee slots at the 82nd Academy Awards, which is an noteworthy achievement for a movie released amid a sea of money-gobbling blockbusters. The movie, directed by Point Break helm Kathryn Bigelow, centers on an elite bomb-defusing team in the middle of the action in the Iraq War. After Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce) is killed in an explosion, Bravo Company receives a new Team Leader in the form of Staff Sergeant William James, played by Jeremy Renner, who was briefly seen on television this spring in the failed cop drama The Unusuals. Renner immediately captures audiences as the confident and brash James, who seems incapable of losing his cool or his cocky wit, much to the chagrin of Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie). Led by James, Bravo Company embark on dangerous missions in the streets of Baghdad, as The Hurt Locker plunges the viewer into a world of constant tension, with no knowledge to who will be the next victim to the hostile environment. Featuring amazing direction by Bigelow, outstanding acting chemistry between Renner and Mackie and a long-awaited feature on the Iraq War that stays true to its billing, The Hurt Locker is a not just a great movie that captures the terrifying aspects of war, it is a movie that flat out brings you to the edge of your seat.

Amelia (directed by Mira Nair, in theatres October 23rd, 2009)

With all of the fanfare that surrounds the famous pilot Amelia Earhart and her mysterious disappearance, it is a bit of a surprise that it has taken this long to get a major modern film about her life to get to the big screen. While there have been many History Channel specials and a few made-for-TV movies, a true look at the wonder pilot's life will take flight in October. The movie will be directed by Mira Nair, who is best known for directing 2006's The Namesake. While successful in her directing career this will definitely be Nair's biggest film to date. Amelia will star the renowned Hilary Swank in the titular role, as well as Richard Gere, who will be playing George Putnam, Amelia Earhart's husband. If biopics on historical figures of recent memory are any indication, Swank will be taking home her third Academy Award this coming Spring, as three out the last four Best Actor and Actress winners have taken home the Oscar for portraying a character based on a real life person. The movie will carry an aura of mystery, as to this day, there has been no evidence leading to the answer to what happened to Amelia Earhart as she disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean on July 2nd, 1937. Expected to feature her rocky relationship with husband Putnam, Amelia is set to be a triumph which not only chronicles the history of one of the greatest pilots to take to the skies, but pays tribute to a true heroine in a world dominated by men. Also starring Ewan McGregor and Virginia Madsen, Amelia hits screens October 23rd, 2009.

The Informant! (directed by Steven Soderbergh, in theatres September 18th, 2009)

Almost every year at the Oscars, a dark-comedy/dramedy is guaranteed a spot among the Famous Five just so the Academy can prove to everyone they enjoy laughing too. While one was left out at last year's awards, with ten nominees this year it is almost a guarantee we will see a movie that is laugh-driven. I think that movie will be The Informant!, which is actually based on the true story that surfaced in the 1990's with Archer Daniels Midland and the price-fixing scandle, which was brought to light by high-ranking executive Mark Whitacre (portrayed by Matt Damon). In reality, Mark Whitacre became a Dark Knight and was actually punished more severely for his involvement than the conspirators he helped bring to justice, The Informant! is a movie that focuses on Whitacre's ability (or lack thereof) to cope with being an informant for the FBI and the stress it brings him, on top the fact that he suffers from bipolar disorder. Featuring hilarious turns by Damon and the rest of the cast, Steven Soderbergh looks to follow up on the epic biopic of Che Guevera with a bouncy but dark comedy that is yet another classic among the corporate/business film genre. The Informant! sees limited release starting on September 18th.

Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire (directed by Lee Daniels, in theatres November 6th, 2009)

Originally titled Push but efficiently changed as to not confuse it with the sci-fi film of the same name that came out this February, Precious is no fairytale. The movie focuses on young Clareece 'Precious' Jones, a destitute teen growing up in Harlem. Coming from a world of terrible abuse, Jones is illiterate, poor, angry, and overweight, and most importantly, unloved. Pregnant with her second child, Precious is offered the chance of a lifetime as she is invited to enroll in an alternative school, where she is challenged to not only become educated of her surroundings, but about herself as well. Precious is played by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, while other cast members include Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, and Sherri Shephard. A champion at this years' Sundance Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize, Precious is a movie that is set to be a true darkhorse in the Oscar race but one that could do a lot of damage when awards night arrives. After all, isn't that what happened with Slumdog Millionaire? Catch Precious in theatres on November 6th.

So that's it. Those are your ten heavyweights. Other hopefuls will pop up and possibly spoil the race, but these are the true leaders of the pack.