Glorious QT - Thanks!

I have no apprehensions calling myself a "diehard" fan of the Crazy basterd QT. IB (Inglorious Basterds) was the movie which i had been waiting for a long time. From last few months, i was becoming a voracious reader on anything and everything which was related to WW2. I even have an Indian print of Mein Kampf which i got for 150Rs. When the snippets about this movie came, i was mega thrilled and raring to go. After all, QT was making a movie on WW2. This was like having my favorite red wine with Penelope. What more can i ask for? The expectations from the movie had hit the roof. This is the scary part for me as some of the recent movie experiences did not meet 10% of these movie expectations. (Huh, i am a numbers guy and folks might be thinking how do you measure expectations?) Few of my office friends (all secret admirers of QT - Maamu, PSP, Diamond; we all touch based on seeing the movie. But i could never go with those folks. Ended up seeing a private screening in the cozy warmth of my home at some unearthly hour to escape the disturbance from Aryan and the old lady (She HATES QT).

Chapter One

Movie starts with a beautiful background music. (The Verdict - Ennio Morricone). French family running around in a panicky mode. I could smell a rat in their behavior. (Pun inteneded ;-)) Enter the main protagonist of the movie Col.Hans Landa. (Yes, he is the MAIN guy. Hero)

• When he enters the room, the way the farmers family was standing increased the tension already. It was a pure give away to Landa that something is not right.
• With a silken grace, Landa looks at the girls. Without mouthing his intentions, it is quite obvious of the cruelty behind his real intentions.
• The farmer asks one of his daughter to close the door. It did not occur to me till the end of Chapter One what the intention of closing the window was. My assumption is to make the room darker. To hide the rats. Obviously.
• When Landa switches speaking to English from French, i cringed. I thought to suit the linguistic audience he did that. (Scored of Hindi movies including Lagaan where we see Gora's talking in Hindi). But QT doesnt make such mistakes. We are exposed to the real reason behind this. Later.
• Landa (Chirstopher Waltz). Amazing. I have worked with quite a lot of European folks in my career. The body language, the excessive usage of hands when he talks, his facial expressions. bravo.
• After few uncomfortable questions, the farmer resorts to having nicotine. Was this the directors intention to show the rising tension in the farmer? Well, as a smoker - i do get this nicotine cravings when faced with extreme tensions.
• The killer of a dialog was "Having Never met the Dreyfusses, can you confirm the family details". Farmer never realizes the trap and sings about the family in detail including the exact ages of the family. That was an excellent piece of dialog.
• Cut 2 scenes. Farmer thinks investigation is over. Just look at his confidence when he offers Landa another glass of milk. The way he sits on the chair. This is a good investigation technique i believe. Get the person into a comfort zone and hit him where it hurts.
• Next, the metaphor of comparing German/Jew to Hawk/Rat speaks volumes of QT as a writer.
• One expression which will remain in my mind for a long time. 18 minutes into movie. Landa changes from a smile to a threatening expression where he mouths the dialog "You are sheltering enemies of the state, are you not?". Wohooooo! Paisa vasool.
• Rest of the chapter goes on a predictable lines. Till the end. The scene is shot from inside the house. Dark House. Bright outdoor. Shosanna running. Landa twitches his left shoulder. I was already sitting straight. What happens next is beautiful. Now that i have seen the complete movie, was QT giving a hint about the Anti-Climax?

Verdict: One of the best start a movie can have. I am sure audience would be grasping for more air while watching this. Too much tension.

Chapter Two

The scene starts off with Brad Pitt. Thanks QT for making Brad talk in the "Tennessee" accent. It was good. (Yeah, i am no expert of the accents but Brad mentions Smoky Mountains). Some interesting dialogs

• Brad pitt talking about soldiers owing him 100 nazi heads as Debit. Thats one helluva debit card. Scalps - i thought was more of a figurative speech of dead nazis. QT's queer comic sense - he wants the scalps. Yeah, scalps.
• I had wontedly NOT read any reviews/previews/interviews. Out pops Hitler in the next scene in his typical table banging "Nai, nai". Though Hitler did not look as menacing as Hitler in "Der Untertang" but this made the point. Point well taken.
• In the background, there is an artist rendering a picture of Hitler. Larger than life size of the painting. Is this the way of showing Hitler had larger than life ego? Another screenplay masterpiece.
• The next scene eerily reminded me of Gabbar/Samba. Instead of Ramnagar hillocks, you have a French jungle.
• The introduction of Hugo Stiglitz. Another comic QT interlude. The escape of Hugo from Jail. Simple. Reminded me of Tridev jail escapade. (Sorry, got diverged.)
• German being interrogated by Brad. When asked where are the soldiers, he makes a typical Subhash Ghai "Karma" dialog. Cliche!
• The intro of "Bear Jew". Nah, i did not like this. Too much of WWF kinda intro.
• Another masterpiece dialog in this mayhem. "Bear Jew" asks "Did you get this medal for killing Jews". German replies "Bravery". This in all its simplicity explains "Perspective". Something in the likes of "Jihad" & "Freedom".
• The much needed violence in this violent movie finally comes. Couple of close shots, followed by couple of long shots and then various responses. Good handling there.
• The way QT interspersed comedy within violence surrounded by tension. This is one scene which reinforces the fact. Fuhrer telling the soldier "Dont tell this to anyone. Your outfit was ambushed and you got away."

Verdict: Too much filmy. But i think it was needed. Predictable dialogs and predictable scenes. Thanks QT for not extending the chapter by showing how the group was ambushed or how they will ambush the next group. We have enough War movies to see those.

Chapter Three

After suspense, violence & comedy - QT decides its time for some romance. Enter Shosanna again. Being wooed by a German war hero. Some more nuggets from this chapter

• Shosanna says "We respect directors in France." Soldier says "Even Germans." His is a statement. Shosanna sarcastically makes his statement to a question "Even germans?" And she says "Yes, even germans". (Making it sound like, yes we respect germans also). Good one.
• To extend conversation, soldier asks the lady her name. Again sarcastic of German soldiers, she shows her papers to the soldier emphasizing the constant checking of papers by Germans.
• The scene where Soldier is explaining his exploits in the Bird tower, Shosanna looked beautiful. I mean really beautiful. (After the staple diet of Lopez, Jolie, Megan) Her acting, A+. Especially when she grimaces after she hears of his killing numbers. Good job.
• What continues is the re-entry of Landa. I could see the fear in Soshanna's eyes when Goebbel announces the entry of Landa.
• What follows is top class scene involving 2 of the best characters in the movie. I am talking of the Strudel eating scene. What more can we expect in terms of underlying tension and suspicion? He orders espresso for himself but Milk for the girl. This is something i did not get. The relevance of milk. Is it that Jews like milk? Rats like milk? Dunno? I am waiting for a Directors commentary in the official DVD where hopefully QT explains this.
• Back to his standard ways of interrogation. Make the interrogated person feel comfy. He tells her to relax, talks using her first name etc. Should we be investigating Ajmal Kasab the same way? Call Hans Landa to Mumbai please.
• The way Landa talks of the "negro" projectionist - the intent was double edged. Racist remarks and cutting down on folks who could be potential threats.
• "I have something else to ask you." Landa asks Shoshanna. QT - you got the formula man. You got the way to take the audience for a roller coaster ride.
• The expression Shoshanna gives after Landa leaves the table. Anguish/Terror/Relief all mixed into one. Melanie, you get my vote for this single expression.

Verdict: The crux of the movie is in this chapter. Very well handled. Though full of conversations, it had this mysterious nuances of what is going to come next. No, i wont tell what happens in this chapter. Rather the story of the movie.

Chapter Four

Haha, Mike Myers. You would have gone unnoticed if you were not mentioned in the titles. This chapter had some good moments, some boring, some casual, some predictable. I did not like this chapter as the rest of the movie.

• First things first. The waitress in the tavern. Hmmmmmmm! Yummy.
• Basterds almost have an upper hand in the tavern throughout the scene. And Scotch spoils it all. Huh, Scotch.
• Most horrific dialog was when they were playing the guess game and the German general tells "Did i land in America and displayed in chains". "Am i the story of Negro in America?" Where did you come up with such a nice sequence QT.
• Next follows a typical "Reservoir Dogs" scene where everyone shoots everyone.
• What follows is Kill Bill by Bridget. QT never ends with surprises.
• Cool headed Brad forcing Bridget to accept going to the premier reinstates QTs love for blood and gore. I am not complaining. After all, it is supposed to be a war movie. ;-)
• Brad mouths a dialog - "Last minute venue change. Thats not very Germatic." I was chuckling on this statement. Is there a word like that? Just like Bangalored.
• Omar is asked to be the 3rd person. He cant speak a freaking word of Italian. Brad tells him "Just keep your fucking mouth shut." Prelude to the funniest scene in the movie.

Verdict: Weakest link. Predictable. Not great intelligent dialogs. Elongates the movie. But needed for filling the gaps as to why Brad ends in the premier and how Land sniffs the conspiracy.

Chapter Five

What was that song from David Bowie doing in this situation? Great song intermixed by brilliant cinematography. But more like a Bollywood "forced" dream song.

• Keenly observe the silly look on Brad's face when Landa meets them in the premiere. It was so funny. A huge LOL moment. And Anonio Margherti & Dominic Decocco. Hahaha, the way they make hand gestures when introduced. Thats hilarious.
• Why did Brad tell "Bon Journo" in the first place. Hahaha, and "Grazie" in the end. Hahaha, too good. Enjoy it by revisiting the scene. Advantages of watching the movie on DVD but miss out on the crowd reactions to the scene in the theater.
• Enough of laughing folks. This roller coaster is more thrilling than the Universal Sudios ones. Next minute, we see the wild side of Landa where he silences the laugh of Bridget. Hmm, spoooooky.
• Now the kickass moment in cinematic history paralleling the suspense or anti-climax of "Usual Suspects" & "6th Sense". No more will i talk anymore. Hans landa and Brad Pitt conversation.
• The "Bingo" moment. Somehow i felt - if ever we need "Joker" to reappear in Batman after Heath Ledger's untimely death - Nolan brothers, please review this scene. Please.
• The kicks Adolf gets watching the movie says it all.
• What follows - An alternate view of history. 3 cheers to QT. I have no qualms for these kind of alterations. QT is not making a documentary. Its pure fiction.

End Credits.

Verdict: I am going to watch it again and again.

Thanks QT