'The Hateful Eight' - Review

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Walton Goggins, Bruce Dern, Demian Bichir, Channing Tatum
Release Date (UK): January 8

Whilst promoting The Hateful Eight, Quentin Tarantino has expressed a keen interest in adapting his latest writing/directorial effort into a stage play. After watching the film, I can only support Tarantino's desire as the almost lyrical dialogue and tense atmosphere would no doubt transfer seamlessly into a theatre production. However, as this development does not seem to be taking place any time in the foreseeable future, the masterful and impeccably crafted film will fortunately have to suffice.

After convincing John "The Hangman" Ruth (Kurt Russell) to board his stage coach along with his bounty Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), later joined by the new Sherrif of Redrock Chris Mannix, head to the renowned Minnie's Haberdashery. Upon arrival, they find four eclectic men in residence. As ferocious weather conditions force the group to spend three days together, Warren plays Poirot as not everyone seems to be who they claim, increasing the suspense to Hitchcock - esque levels.

Due to the Hitchcock-ian vibe the film boasts, the 167 minute running time flies by as the shocking potential twists and turns of the narrative ensure the audience's attention is planted firmly on the screen and don't dare risking a glance at their watch in fear of missing a crucial plot point. Despite the film's gory and violent elements and categorisation as a drama, The Hateful Eight elicits laughs from the audience larger than the laughs that would typically be produced by a straight comedy; this only further exemplifies the strength and diversity in Tarantino's writing that he has proven time after time.

Not only does Tarantino write humour incredibly well, he casts impeccable actors, each of them incredibly worthy of assuming his creations, Although Jennifer Jason Leigh is garnering the most attention in the awards circuit (deservedly so), Walton Goggins is a revelation and equally deserving of critical recognition. The Hateful Eight also reminds you of how criminal it is that Samuel L. Jackson (a Tarantino staple) has never gotten an Academy Award - after acting professionally for over 40 years, Jackson remains just as committed and enigmatic as ever. Other notable standouts include Kurt Russell as John "The Hangman" Ruth, the no-nonsense but largely naive bounty hunter and Tim Roth as Oswaldo Mobray, the chipper Englishman who happens to be the town's hangman. Oswaldo proves to be one of the most amusing characters and increases the levity and energy of the picture every time he is on screen. Every single one of these actors depicts disgusting and, well, hateful characters - however, they were some of the most enthralling individuals I had witnessed in a long time.

Although incredibly well-realised, there were some occasional character moments that felt more for the audience's benefit than to serve the character. For example, there is a brief and fleeting moment with Roth's character that goes entirely unexplained once all of the twists in the story have been revealed. Additionally, Russell's John Ruth is immediately suspicious of the inhabitants of Minnie's Haberdashery and believes someone is not who they claim to be. Arguably, there are no grounds for these suspicions other than to inform the audience and make them aware of the complexities and potential deception going on.

Overall, The Hateful Eight is a suspenseful, violent, engaging and well acted picture, indicating the director at the helm is at the peak of his film-making prowess. Tarantino has claimed that he will only write/direct two more films, but The Hateful Eight only increases my need for more of his work, because simply, there is no one like him.