Inglourious Basterds

Released: 2009

MPAA rating: R

Runtime: 2:33

The first thing to note about "Inglourious Basterds" is that not only is it fiction, it is unashamedly historically inaccurate. The opening frame stating "Once upon a time in German-occupied France.." pretty much lets you know that this is a fantasy film. That is in no way a criticism as the story is brilliantly told. I merely point that out to properly align your expectations. The "Basterds" of the title are a band of Jewish-American assassins that are operating in the shadows of the German occupation with the express mission to kill and scalp "NAT-Seas" (as their leader, Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) pronounces it). Surprisingly, this group are actually supporting characters in the movie. Their exploits are mostly handled off-screen and reported by other characters. They appear from time to time to help move the story along and are definitely major players in major plot points, but they get much less screen time than you would expect. Despite this film being unquestionably a Tarantino film with many of his trademarks, it is also like nothing you have ever seen. Tarantino mixes all different styles of film-making, from comedy to gore to "comic-book" style, which actually sounds like an incoherent mess, but is pulled off beautifully. Even the score changes tone from silly to overly dramatic at the drop of the hat, perfectly setting you up for what you are seeing. I am still debating whether the 2 and 1/2 hour running time is overly long, but that time is probably driven by two very extended dialogue scenes which were beautifully written and purposely long as they slowly build an amazing level of tension. Tarantino splits the story into 5 "chapters", each a mini-movie in itself, but each contributing to the overall plot. The opening chapter features the first appearance of Colonel Hans Landa of the SS (Christoph Waltz) as he slowly and "pleasantly" interrogates a local farmer he suspects of hiding Jews. Waltz is absolutely brilliant in this film, acting in 4 different languages and masterfully portraying a smiling, charming psychopath. (One of my fellow movie-goers leaned to me and said "You sort of almost LIKE this guy!") This opening sequence is one of the long scenes alluded to earlier, but the tension level slowly gets ratcheted up higher and higher until it comes to its explosive end. It also sets up two of the major characters in the rest of the film. As you see the farmer slowly breaking as Landa is doing him no harm, but just won't leave, you really feel his defenses breaking down. Aside from Waltz, who probably deserves an Oscar nod for his performances, the cast gives great performances across the board. Pitt is over-the-top and hilarious as the leader of the Basterds with a thick Southern accent and an appettite for blood and gore. The movie is full of surprises and I loved how Tarantino took you on some very deliberate journeys while keeping you confused about how it would play out. At other times, he would openly announce upcoming events (Aldo Raine: "You know fighting in a basement offers a lot of difficulties. Number one being, you're fighting in a basement!"). Overall, this is a brilliant piece of filmmaking and a very well-laid out story. Tarantino brings it again and this is probably his best since "Pulp Fiction" (MAYBE as good, but probably not).

Grade: A

Trailer: