Analyzing The Genius Of Quentin Tarantino
It’s clear that Quentin Tarantino is no ordinary writer or director. He is arguably one of the greatest most influential writer-directors of his generation, which is not a title easily earned. There is no doubt that there are a lot of great directors and writers who have made amazing films that will be talked about for a very long time, but I’m not sure if their directors will be talked about in a few years. Not in the same way people will be talking about Tarantino at least. He made a name for himself throughout the world with just his first few films, and it hurts to think about the fact that his 10th film is going to be his last(as he said on the Jimmy Kimmel show). I’m not sure what the last film is going to be about, but one thing I’m sure about is that his legacy is going to live for a very long time not only through his movies, but all the thousands of individuals he has inspired.
So let us break down what makes his films so distinct and beautiful beyond imagination.
1. The Writing:
All of his films have a non-linear structure, which adds to the already rich and interesting plot of his films, providing another layer of storytelling magic. He’s mentioned in interviews that he used to read a lot of books as a child, and it struck him how the 3rd chapter of a book, could be set 2 years before the 1st and 2nd chapter. Since he found this interesting he incorporated it into his writing style and films, and it really does make the whole thing more than a film, it makes it an experience. It adds suspense and keeps the audience paying attention and on the edge as they can’t afford to miss even a second of dialogue as it could be integral to the plot. He also is a master of writing tension into the scene. Introducing it, and maintaining it as well is not an easy task but again, Tarantino does this with perfection.
2. The Dialogue:
From the beginning of his career with Reservoir Dogs, he has never failed to incorporate snappy and witty dialogue in his films. These dialogues are scattered throughout all of his films as well as all the characters. So it’s not just one guy with all the witty banter, it’s every character who in their own way says them. Dialogues are very important especially in a Tarantino film as they are not only providing information and moving the plot forward, they are also so damn fun to hear. They have their own character if you ask me. No one can write dialogue as well as Tarantino and that’s just another thing that makes him who he is.
3. The Plot:
None of his films are only about one thing, there are subplots within subplots that are woven together adding layers to the film which makes it even more interesting and compelling. They do have a central story theme/plot but along with that are a handful of subplots that are just as interesting as the main theme of the film. As you watch things progressively become more complex and convoluted, they just as progressively start to make sense and become clear as the film progresses which is another thing that makes the films immersive for the audience. There are just so many things happening that the viewer cannot afford to be bored or look away even for a second. Every film is a genre piece that has all the elements of what makes the genre great, which is what in turn makes the film great.
4. The Characters:
Every single character from all Tarantino films is written to perfection, whether they are nazi soldiers or drug dealers. None of them are looked over with the focus only being on the leads. All of the characters add to the film in their own ways as they all either help the plot move forward, pose as obstacles to something, or just add humor to the film. In short all of them are necessary, everyone from a 9-year-old girl snapping at Rick Dalton to Charles Manson walking down the street, is integral to the experience of the film. Removing even one of the ‘smaller’ characters would affect the film in a large way. Also the main characters of each film are fleshed out to their bones, as we understand everything they do, their motives, their strengths and weaknesses, and who they are as a whole. All of them are so interesting and memorable that even years after I’ve watched them on screen I remember everything about them.
5. The Violence:
Tarantino’s love for gritty and gruesome violence is no secret nor is our love for watching it. His love for bloodshed is famous across the globe as each of his films contains gruesome violence that’s distinct to that film and that film only. Sure there is violence in all of his films, but it’s not similar in any way. In each film the violence is tailored only to the style and setting of only that film in particular. So even if there are gunfights in all his films, none of them are similar to each other. Also it’s not just mindless/aimless violence, it’s written in grave detail and style that it comes off dare I say, beautiful.
6. The Cinematography:
The frames and shots of Tarantino’s films are so clearly tattooed in my head, it’s almost scary. Even if you only watch them once, they are so brilliant and beautiful that you will simply be amazed. His use of color, set-pieces along with camera shots are the stuff of the gods. The famous Tarantino zooms, and the long takes with perfect editing that is done with such style and class is what makes him one of the best at his craft.
His films are at such a level, that they are studied in detail by film fanatics and will be studied for decades to come. Even a casual viewer would be able to point out that Tarantino’s films have a distinct feeling to them. It’s even got a name; Tarantinoesque (Reminiscent of the works or themes of Quentin Tarantino, best known for violent yet humorous films with nonlinear plots).
-written by Pratyush Velicheti
