Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" - An Early Review

Photo Credit: The Weinstein Company

Writer/director Quentin Tarantino usually casts talented actors in his films and then proceeds to bring out the best in each of them. Christoph Waltz is a great example. The opening scene of Inglorious Basterds is, in my opinion, one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history and propelled Waltz, as a Nazi Colonel, to win the Oscar for Supporting Actor. Waltz is back in Tarantino's latest effort, Django Unchained, which will be released on Christmas Day. Once again, Waltz delivers an unforgettable and award worthy performance, but this time he portrays a "good" guy bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz. The good doctor used to be a dentist and if you did not know that, then the large molar dangling from the top of his carriage should clue you in.

Django Unchained is a Western set in the southern U.S. during the mid-19th century, where Dr, King Schultz frees the enslaved Django in the hopes that he will work with him to locate and collect bounties on the Brittle brothers. Django is familiar with the trio from his time working on a plantation and he agrees to help Shultz. Sensing that Django has what it takes to be a bounty hunter, Schultz offers him more work and promises Django a cut of the profits, as well as permanent freedom from slavery. Django agrees, but also convinces Shultz to help him locate his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), who has been forced into prostitution by Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), a ruthless plantation owner whose land is known as, of course, Candyland. (Yes, I laughed at that, too).

Tarantino's use of humor is reminiscent of Spaghetti Westerns and helps to balance the mood of the film, which is often very violent and bloody. In other words, this is classic Tarantino. Django Unchained begins as a buddy picture. The early scenes featuring Django and Schultz getting to know each other are entertaining and seem effortless, thanks to the solid performances from Foxx and Waltz. Foxx particularly impressed me with Django's bravery and nerve, as he speaks his mind and makes no apologies for doing so. Waltz initially appears to be more the dangerous of the two, but their roles shift as the film moves along and the situations warrant the reversal. But even when Schultz appears to be more deferential, there is something simmering just beneath the surface that makes him formidable, dangerous and unpredictable. His guile comes to life during a late scene when he simply needs to unleash his feelings in a memorable and explosive encounter with Candie.

DiCaprio does not appear until about half way through the film, but he delivers a sensational performance as the sinister Candie, who possesses the same guile as Schultz. Candie enjoys testing people and that culminates in a suspense filled dinner scene when the real reason for Django and Schultz's visit becomes clear, thank to the observations of Candie's butler, Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson). That encounter leads to an ultra-violent series of events that may polarize viewers. The supporting cast features the talents of Don Johnson, Tom Wopat, Bruce Dern and the great Franco Nero, the star of many classic Spaghetti Westerns.

Quentin Tarantino's films tend to run long and Django Unchained clocks in at slightly less than three hours. For the most part, that time is used wisely, but the series of events that occur during the last half an hour did not seem to flow as easily as the rest of the film. However, the conclusion is mostly satisfying and very exciting. Tarantino also pays a great deal of attention to the technical aspects of the film. As a result, the costume design, set design and make-up are admirable efforts. The music, while mostly appropriate, takes a couple of unexpected detours, but since Tarantino is so well versed in that area, I will give him the benefit of the doubt on some of his choices. I thoroughly enjoyed Django Unchained and it will likely become one of my favorite films of the year and one that I would like to see again and again, just like the aforementioned Inglorious Basterds. Potential viewers should be aware of the explicit and brutal depictions of slavery, as well as the punishments that were meted out to slaves. That aspect of the film may stir controversy, which is nothing new to Tarantino, but does not, in any way, diminish the overall effort.