The Hateful Eight – Film Review by Fran Winston

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern

In cinemas January 8th

The story behind Tarantino’s latest opus would surely make a screenplay in itself. Famously the director cancelled the movie after the script leaked before then announcing that he would indeed read it after directing a live reading of the script. Then in October last year he attended a Black Lives Matter political rally where he was very vocal about police brutality in the United States and as a result several police groups in the United States pledged to boycott The Hateful Eight and his other films. Finally after all that drama it arrives on screen. Well some screens at least. Since Tarantino shot it on 70mm film leading to two versions existing. One, the roadshow version, has an overture and intermission and runs 20 minutes longer than the other, the general release. However this has led to issues with some cinemas – particularly in the UK after one chain got the rights to the roadshow version – and they are refusing to show it. All in all it seems like Tarantino really had his work cut out just getting this to the screen.

Thankfully he managed it as this is an extremely well-crafted mystery movie that leaves the viewer guessing throughout. Told in six acts this is possibly one of Tarantino’s most theatrical movies. Set a few years after the American Civil War and with a motely cast of characters tensions run high when they are all forced to seek shelter in a haberdashery when a blizzard breaks out. The fact they are all harbouring secrets and many have links to each other only serves to heighten the drama as one by one they all start to crack. With no one who they appear to be and everyone out to get everyone else it is doubtful if any of them will make it out of the storm.

Of course this is a very simplified synopsis of the plot as Tarantino has crafted some wonderfully complex characters whose motives you will be analysing long after the credits roll. This is very much an ensemble piece and everybody does an excellent job however Kurt Russell gives one of his best performances in years as John Ruth better known as the Hangman, a bounty hunter who keeps his bounties alive in order to watch them die by the rope. Also fabulous here is Jennifer Jason Leigh who plays Daisy Domergue, the fugitive that Ruth is bringing in. She is very much the token female in a male-centric cast but she really gives the boys a run for their money.  Special mention should also go to Channing Tatum who plays completely against type and is actually all the better for it.

Tarantino is really a master when it comes to combining all the elements of film making and this is no exception. The cinematography is stunning, Ennio Morricone’s score is sweeping and together they completely enhance the viewing experience. Even his narration of the tale suits the style of the film. While his movies are usually notoriously graphic I found this to be possibly his least violent offering ever and – although – I haven’t looked into this – it does seem to contain less profanities than previous offerings. Don’t get me wrong though – there is still plenty of blood and guts and if you are easily offended you will more than likely take umbrage to some scenes.

While this may technically be a “western” do not let that put you off. That is far from my favourite genre but I found myself drawn into this on a psychological level. It is extremely complex when you break it down but executed so simply that you don’t even realise how deeply involved you have become until it ends and you will be scratching your head for a long time afterwards wondering how you missed certain things.

On occasion this does drag and it is very wordy meaning that if you zone out at all you miss crucial plot points but on the whole this is a beautifully crafted, well scripted, wonderfully acted drama that should satisfy both ardent movie lovers and those who simply want to be entertained for a couple of hours.