"Django" (2012)

Rating: R:18

Genre: Drama, Western

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Written By: Quentin Tarantino

Released: December 25^th, 2012 

Runtime: 165 minutes

Studio: The Weinstein Co.

Summary:

Two years before the Civil War, Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave, finds himself accompanying an unorthodox German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) on a mission to capture the vicious Brittle brothers. Their mission successful, Schultz frees Django, and together they hunt the South's most-wanted criminals. Their travels take them to the infamous plantation of shady Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), where Django's long-lost wife (Kerry Washington) is still a slave.

Review:

First impressions? Great film. Very violent. Not one for the faint hearted that is for sure. I guess this is hardly surprising when Quentin Tarantino is at the helm! In all seriousness though, some of the scenes are considerably difficult to watch.

And then you have the odd scene that demonstrates some wicked sense of humour. The one that always comes to mind when I think back on this film is the KKK scene. On paper, this should not be funny. The subject matter is of a darker time and yet Quentin Tarantino manages to turn it into something you almost feel bad for laughing along with. He has a knack for dialogue, taking what would otherwise have been an inane and dull conversation and turning it into something surprisingly entertaining.  This scene demonstrates the fact marvellously. The dialogue is on point, the acting (which includes a cameo from the man himself) as at its peak. I’ll leave it down here for your viewing…

With a cast lead by Jaimie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio and featuring Samuel L Jackson and Christopher Waltz, you know you’re in for something great. This film features that one scene we’ve all come to know about in which Leonardo DiCaprio hurt his hand but kept on performing in spite of the pain and that take was subsequently used in the final film. He’s a talented and committed man, our Leonardo DiCaprio. Samuel L Jackson’s role is one that certainly stands out in people’s minds as the racist servant of Calvin Candie. I have to admit I didn’t even recognise him until the film was finished. I immediately had to find a scene he was in to re-watch because I couldn’t believe it. He’s another actor who can just do any role he’s given with flying colours. There won’t be another quite like him.

If you can sit back and appreciate the locations shown in this film behind all the action, it’s quite visually impressive. The cinematography is quite a striking feature in my opinion.

I would say dive into this with a certain amount of caution. It’s certainly one that doesn’t deserve to be missed. However, I do think it’s the kind of film where one viewing in a blue moon is sufficient.

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