How Tarantino Enacts Revenge Over History’s Villains
Blood and excessive violence have become Tarantino’s hallmark. But why?
Having discussed his latest film, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, it became clear that the bloody violence typically associated with Tarantino films can divide audiences.
In its excess, the blood and gore can take you out of the movie, reminding you that it is clearly a work of fiction. Which is exactly what Tarantino wants.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a prime example. Throughout the film, we follow the fictional characters of Rick Dalton (Leonardo Dicaprio) and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) as they navigate 1969 Hollywood. Dalton’s house neighbours that of the non-fictional Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie).
As the film reaches its climax, Tarantino leads us to believe that, just like reality, Tate will be murdered by the Manson family (Manson was briefly introduced earlier in the film). However, the film deviates.
With the violent murder of the ‘Manson family’ exerted by Dalton and Booth, Tarantino is cathartically engaging with the audience through the defeat of history’s ‘villains’.
It’s a trend found throughout Tarantino’s work. In 2012’s Django Unchained, we follow Django (Jamie Foxx) in his quest to become unchained from his slave captors.
In Inglorious Bastards (2009), Christoph Waltz’s Colonel Landa is branded with the swastika, the symbol of arguably the worst villains of all time — the Nazis.
Tarantino makes sure we detest the film’s villain(s), up to a point where the exaggerated death appears understandable.
Plus, it’s awesome.
