[Rant] Why OUATIH isn't as good as some of Tarantino's great films

Just wanted to get this off my chest as I've been thinking about it a lot. With all of Tarantino's best films, the common factor is the presence of violence throughout. I'm talking Pulp Fiction, Django, Inglourious Basterds. This is something he does best, yet has been reserving for the end in his past two films (Hateful Eight, OUATIH). Why?

At the end of OUATIH you get a glimpse into what this man can really do. I have a feeling that he's been trying to steer clear of it recently, but for the life of me I don't know why.

Posted Oct 26, 2019, 9:15 AM UTC

07
leonryan•

I think OUATIH is one of his best. I don't like his movies for just the violence. I like them for the characters, the stories, the surprises, the cinematography, the soundtracks, etc. It's a complete well crafted experience, not just a rollercoaster of brutality, and if you know anything about Sharon Tate you spend the entire film with that tension hanging over you because you know there's horrible violence coming eventually. Gore is kind of passe and available everywhere if that's all you want to see. He's offering you something more sophisticated.

16
Mg5581•

I hope you're a kid because who else would care that much about the level of violence. There's all kinds of gore flicks out there watch those of you just want violence. What a stupid complaint.

4
MrKyleOwns•

Respectfully disagree

3
714daze•

This is probably his most adult film. I loved it.I admit on the first viewing I couldn't shape an opinion just yet. I didn't "get" what I just saw. I can totally see how some may see it as uneventful but then I've now seen it 6 times and that mundanity is a huge theme. We see Rick film a show, we see Sharon watch her own movie, we see Cliff driving and doing some handy work and feeding his dog.

It's a movie about time and the effect that has on everyone. I totally get it now. I also do think you are right that Tarantino is challenging his own status quo of violence. Yes it is here but there were many moments in the film where you could see him teasing the audience. A big showdown with a girl held captive is merely them shooting a scene for Lancer, Cliff being suspicious of the hippies and the intensity of that scene is played straight with no real outcome. A different version of Tarantino would have had a shootout between Cliff and Squeaky.

I think the tease is on purpose and it makes the shocking turn at the end that much more prevalent. Also that is another reason why it is a slow burn movie.we are watching with dread knowing how the night of August 8th went down. We know something is coming. We just didn't know how Tarantino would spin it.

2
Dwingledork•

I confirm. Beautifully stated. thank you

2
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
Dwingledork•

I have a feeling you will have a different opinion of this with more years of Cinema viewing

1
jeffkantoku•

I think the thing that is common throughout his filmography is the THREAT of violence hanging over the runtime of his movies. The promise that violence could erupt at any time, which keeps us in suspense. That is why the Spahn Ranch sequence and the presence of the Manson family members work so well. Also anyone with a passing knowledge of Hollywood history will know the fate that awaits Sharon Tate so the expectation of that, makes the threat of impending violence hang in the air over the proceedings.

1