RECENT WATCH: THE HATEFUL EIGHT

The Hateful Eight is the eighth film by Quentin Tarentino. Kurt Russell’s John Ruth is a bounty hunter who takes shelter with his prisoner from a blizzard in a secluded cabin. In this cabin he meets a collection of enigmatic characters. The plot of The Hateful Eight has been shrouded in mystery since its announcement and I do think it is good to walk in to cinema not knowing too much about what you’re about to see. It plays out like a ‘whodunnit’, no-one can be trusted and someone isn’t who he or she seems.  Think Agatha Christie with more violence and humour with a western backdrop.

What I really liked about The Hateful Eight is that all of the characters are interesting, part and parcel from the fantastic writing and the high class performances of the cast, Samuel L Jackson making a triumphant return to a leading role of a Tarentino film. The depth of each character means that you are suspicious of everyone, an element that is too often missing from some mysteries. The action of The Hateful Eight is in the careful constructed dialogue and at times felt like a recording of a play.

You cannot deny that this film will stand apart from every other film out at the moment, with the division in to clearly marked chapters, intermission and occasional narration by Tarentino himself. The fantastic score by Ennio Morricone also transports you back to cinema classics of times past.

 

Ultimately, the real test of a film lasting over 3 hours is if it feels as long as it is. The film did feel long. I will admit that there were moments where I was a bit bored and wasn’t really sure where the story was going. With eight principle characters there needs to be lengthy set up and in the end there is some pay off with a Tarentino style showdown. However a quick shoot-em-up and trademark blood spill just weren't enough for the long development that had come before. When I was presented with the ‘final chapter’ I couldn’t help feeling relieved, more than ready for the conclusion of this western tale. Unfortunately not my favourite film from the iconic director.