Writer/Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson,, Kurt Russell and Tim Roth
‘A Wonderful Western’
Not many actors have achieved praise of Samuel L. Jackson. Ever since his rise to praise in the 1990’s, Jackson has become a beloved icon. Whether it is cruel gangsters, slave owners or political leaders, Jackson has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Jackson’s strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a talent for stealing the show in supportive roles which have limited screen-time. Even if he isn’t the main focus of a movie, Jackson has always left a strong impression. An actor with commitment to his craft, Jackson has become a beloved icon in modern-day entertainment. Throughout a lasting career, Jackson has made several movies that are worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Jackson and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Hateful Eight” is his most underrated work. Released in 2015, Quentin Tarantino’s western offered a strong portrait of hateful outlaws. Packed with stunning production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best westerns ever made. At the centre of it all is a brilliant performance by Samuel L. Jackson, who plays a hateful outlaw experiencing tension. Although “The Hateful Eight” is a wonderful western, it isn’t a flawless film. At nearly three hours, it’s an exhausting film that tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers strong entertainment that will absolutely satisfy fans of westerns
Set in a snowy blizzard, “The Hateful Eight” tells the story of hateful outlaws which are murdered. Samuel L. Jackson plays Major Marquis Warren, a powerful bounty hunter with an intense dedication to his profession. Warren has always excelled at solving crime in a town where he receives rewards as an attractive proposition. However, Warren’s life drastically changes when he becomes trapped in an isolated cabin shelter. Faced with an intense group of outlaws that cause tension, Warren is forced to question if he can overcome a dangerous situation. As he discovers personalities of the hateful eight, Warren questions whether he can possibly control his fate.
Quentin Tarantino is fascinated with stories of bounty hunters. An outstanding director, Tarantino has always made great westerns about bounty hunters in danger. His iconic movie “Django Unchained” offered a bold portrait of slaves that are unchained. With “The Hateful Eight”, however, the filmmaker constructed his first cabin western. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the tensions faced by outlaws stuck in isolated cabins facing adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Tarantino captures bounty hunters embarking upon a heroic journey. Emulating Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”, Tarantino effectively employs point of view shots to capture tensions that bounty hunters are facing. For instance, the POV shots elevate the cabin meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Major has his first meetings with outlaws in the snowy cabin. Through strong POV shots, Tarantino created a portrait of outlaws that proves to be compelling. POV shots are difficult to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” suggested, POV shots elevate classic crime films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Using stunning visuals, Tarantino captures the hardship that outlaws stuck in cabins are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Hateful Eight” which deserves appreciation is the production. Evoking Rob Reiner’s “Misery”, Tarantino successfully uses the restrictive location of the cabin to capture individuals enduring misery. For instance, the isolated location of the cabin enhances the outlaws confrontation scene. During this memorable scene, Major Warren engages in a shootout with members of his isolated cabin. Through stunning cabin locations, Tarantino crafts a strong portrait of isolation that is engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Ennio Morricone’s music is key to success of the movie. It gives the movie an atmosphere capturing heavy burden which outlaws bear. Through breathtaking production, Tarantino captures the lives of isolated outlaws which face tension.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The Hateful Eight” is a western that is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture the lives of outlaws facing tension. Tarantino’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is abilities to capture the tensions faced by hateful outlaws through silence. Evoking Sergio Leone’s “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, Tarantino effectively uses silence to capture hardships faced by outlaws that are ugly. For instance, silence elevates the outlaw farewell scene. During this emotional scene, Major Warren bids an emotional farewell towards the members of his cabin. Through silence, Tarantino crafts a portrait of outlaws that audiences relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in movies. As Joel Schumacher’s “A Time to Kill” suggested, silence elevates courtroom dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Tarantino captures the lives of outlaws that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Samuel L. Jackson delivers one of his best performances as Carl Lee Hailey. Jackson first earned appreciation for playing cruel gangsters in classic crime films. With “The Hateful Eight”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a brave outlaw that faces tragedy but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most complex role. With spellbinding expressions, he conveys the angst, bravery and rebellious spirit of an outlaw that faces tensions. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors that is working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Samuel L. Jackson, the supporting cast is amazing and worthy of praise. Kurt Russell is remarkable, capturing powerful nature of a bounty hunter seeking to battle outlaws in a cabin which is painful. Michael Madsen is magnificent, capturing the compassion of a bounty hunter that’s desperate to survive in a terrifying situation. Lastly, Jennifer Jason Leigh deserves appreciation. As an abusive woman, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “The Hateful Eight” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of outlaws with hate. Unlike most films in the western genre, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including compassion, isolation and suspicion which would absolutely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of westerns to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Hateful Eight” is one of those westerns everyone would adore.
Fans of Samuel L. Jackson will absolutely admire “The Hateful Eight” and so would movie-goers seeking tense entertainment. An extraordinary western, it celebrates an actor with high box office return.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking western about a group of eight bounty hunters stuck in cabins which face hate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a legendary actor that has never lost abilities to captivate making memorable movies that audiences have grown to appreciate.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 