Comments on: Another Way of Seeing “Inglourious Basterds”

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 03:32:58 +0000

@MGiant — Ooh! But what if it turns out that Brad Pitt was only in B.J. Novak’s mind, “Fight Club”-style? That would make me so mad it might make me happy again. Or if Brad Pitt is really just Tom Cruise in a rubber mask using a high-tech voice alteration machine.

By: M. Giant

M. Giant — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:49:36 +0000

Right, I forgot about the scar. So many unanswered questions in this movie, that one was pretty far down my list. As long as it’s not from a non-survivable wound — i.e., the last, deleted shot of the film was B.J. Novak doing a double-take at the spot where Raine was squatting just a second ago — I’ll go along with whatever.

By: Bob Lipton

Bob Lipton — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:19:29 +0000

My own take on the scar is twofold: (1) just to show that the Pitt character has paid his dues via hand-to-hand combat, and (2) as a reference to a particular character in a particular movie — namely, Sgt. Foley as portrayed by Lou Gossett, Jr., in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” I love how the title of that very different movie so ironically relates to the Col. Blanda character in this movie.

And yes, I agree with your review completely.

By: TeddyBallgame

TeddyBallgame — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:24:10 +0000

The scars arc, placement, and thickness implied to me that it was from a noose, adding instant rationale for Pitts character, and for his desire to leave marks on others. He’s had to live with his scar as badge everyday.

By: Dustin L

Dustin L — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:01:07 +0000

Mark, I liked your review of this movie so much that I couldn't get it out of my head when I was writing my own, so I just sent everyone over here. I'm also soliciting opinions on Brad Pitt's heritage, and the origin of his neck scar.

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:55:52 +0000

Hey Laura, I think Christoph Waltz has an excellent chance, and there is actually precedent for QT’s actors getting tapped. John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman all got nominated for “Pulp Fiction,” and Robert Forster picked up a nod for “Jackie Brown.” Personally, I will eat my hat (with mustard) if Waltz doesn’t get the same kind of love. Only question: Will he be noticed in the lead or supporting category?

By: Laura Mc.

Laura Mc. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:57:14 +0000

Do you guys think QT’s actors will ever get nominated for Oscars? I mean, Christoph Waltz’s performance was SO exciting and crafted. The same has been true previously, and no nominations have been forthcoming, but this actor really pulls out all the stops. Flawless.

How could they deny him, when the work is so very respectable and mainstream in this film? True.. it would be out-of-the-blue and overturn some other people who have waited their turns, but it’s possible. Jennifer Hudson did it.

By: Laura Mc.

Laura Mc. — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:44:29 +0000

I know! That SCAR! What was that about? A symbol about *speaking* out despite the threat of death? A symbol about victimization on the whole? A symbol about recovery?

I go with something along the lines of speaking out just because it was on the throat, and Brad P delivered his lines with such a pronounced accent for no real reason (except he was from Tennessee, which is a whole different issue about Southern characters).

The power of language paired with the irony of not elaborating on the scar at all using words.. So much to chew on. Such a tease. Also, the presence of the mysterious scar makes Pitt’s character a great foil to the super clean, basically untouched persona of Christoph Waltz’s character.

By: Mark Blankenship

Mark Blankenship — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:19:09 +0000

Excellent point about the similarity to Jacobean tragedy, M. Giant. Looking at it that way, you can see Raine as a nihilistic survivor, since he he exists out side the Nazi worldview (obviously) and, by carving up the Nazi the American government pardons, distances himself from the worldview, too. He’s a rogue agent bringing the pain… which is totally something John Webster would write about. Or Calderon, if you know those “honor killing” plays from the Spanish Golden Age.

I hate to be Lucy Literal about your joke about the film idol and the sitcom star escaping unscathed, but Raine does have an injury (though we don’t know where it comes from). What did you make of the scar on his neck?

By: M. Giant

M. Giant — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:05:50 +0000

I’ve been thinking of it as a Jacobean revenge tragedy. No heroes, all-consuming revenge plots, lots of big speeches, and a stage littered with corpses at the end. There’s even a five-act structure.

I’m still working on how it fits in with the film idol and sitcom star being the only ones left unscathed, though.