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The Wild West of “Django”
When I first heard about the movie “Django,” I was curious to see it. I am a fan of Westerns, and this one was different from what I had seen before. It is directed by Quentin Tarantino, who always adds a unique twist to his movies. So, naturally, I was intrigued.
The Storyline
“Django” is set in the Wild West, two years before the Civil War. The story revolves around a slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) who is freed by a German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz). Schultz needs Django’s help to find and kill three brothers who have a bounty on their heads.
The two unlikely partners form a bond as they travel across the country, killing bad guys and getting into trouble along the way. Along the way, Django learns that his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) has been sold to a cruel plantation owner named Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). The rest of the movie is essentially Django and Schultz trying to rescue Broomhilda and get revenge on Candie.
The Plot
One of the most interesting things about “Django” is how it combines elements of different genres. It’s part Western, part revenge movie, part buddy comedy, part love story and part social commentary.
The Western aspect of the movie is fairly straightforward – gunslingers riding horses through dusty landscapes, showdowns at high noon, etc. However, Tarantino manages to put his own spin on it by incorporating his trademark violence and dark humor.
The revenge aspect of the movie is also fairly standard – someone has wronged the protagonist, and now he’s out for blood. However, what sets “Django” apart is that the person seeking revenge is a former slave who has been oppressed his entire life. This adds an extra layer of emotion to the story, as Django’s quest for vengeance also represents a larger struggle against institutionalized racism.
The buddy comedy/love story aspect of the movie comes from the relationship between Django and Schultz. The two have an odd-couple dynamic – Django is quiet and brooding, while Schultz is talkative and quirky. However, they play well off each other and it’s clear that they care about each other.
The Cast
One of the strengths of “Django” is its cast. Jamie Foxx does an excellent job as Django – he’s stoic but also vulnerable, which makes him easy to root for. Christoph Waltz gives another great performance as Dr. King Schultz – he’s charming and witty but also deadly when he needs to be.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays against type as Calvin Candie – he’s usually known for playing heroic characters, but here he plays a despicable villain who revels in cruelty. Kerry Washington doesn’t have as much screen time as some of the other actors, but she makes the most of what she has.
Quotes
“I like the way you die boy.” – Django
“Gentlemen, you had my curiosity. But now you have my attention.” – Calvin Candie
“I’m curious what makes you such a mandingo expert.” – Dr. King Schultz
The Acting and Characters
One of the things that stands out about “Django” is how well-developed the characters are. Each character has his or her own motivations and backstory, which makes them feel like real people rather than just plot devices.
Django is a man who has been through hell and back, but he still has a sense of right and wrong. Dr. King Schultz is a man who believes in justice but isn’t above breaking the law to achieve it. Calvin Candie is a sadistic monster who enjoys seeing others suffer.
Even some of the side characters, such as Samuel L. Jackson’s Stephen or Don Johnson’s Big Daddy, are given enough screen time and development to make them memorable.
The History
While “Django” is fictional, it is set against the backdrop of some very real history. The movie takes place in 1858, two years before the Civil War started. Slavery was still legal in many parts of America at this point in time.
The movie also references some historical figures – for example, Django’s full name is Django Freeman, which was inspired by D’jango Reinhardt (a famous jazz guitarist) and William Freeman (a former slave who became a civil rights activist).
The Score and Popularity
The score for “Django” is excellent, as one would expect from a Tarantino movie. It features a mix of original pieces by Ennio Morricone (a legendary composer known for his work on Westerns) and pre-existing songs from various genres (including rap and soul).
The movie was a critical and commercial success when it was released in 2012. It grossed over $425 million worldwide and received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards (Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz).
My Evaluation
Overall, I thought “Django” was an excellent movie. The story was engaging, the acting was top-notch, and the cinematography was stunning. While it is not a perfect movie (there are some pacing issues in the middle), it’s definitely worth watching.
One of the things that resonated with me in particular was how the movie handled the issue of slavery. While it’s obviously an incredibly dark period in American history, Tarantino manages to find moments of lightness and humor without trivializing the severity of what happened.
That being said, I can understand why some people might be put off by the violence or language. Tarantino movies are not for everyone – if you’re easily offended or squeamish, you might want to skip this one.
The Cinematography
The cinematography in “Django” is breathtaking. The landscapes are vast and beautiful, and the camera work is often very creative.
One of my favorite shots in the movie is when Django and Schultz ride through a field of cotton. The camera is positioned between the two men, and we see the cotton stalks whipping past us as they ride.
I also appreciate how Tarantino uses different camera angles to convey different emotions. For example, when Candie is giving his big speech about why he likes mandingo fighting, the camera stays on him for an uncomfortably long time. This makes us feel just as uncomfortable as the characters in the scene.
My Opinion
As a fan of both Westerns and Tarantino movies, “Django” was right up my alley. I loved how it blended different genres and had well-developed characters. I also appreciated how it tackled the issue of slavery without being overly preachy or depressing.
That being said, I can see why some people might not enjoy it as much. It’s definitely not a movie for everyone – if you’re put off by violence or profanity, you might want to skip this one. However, if you’re looking for an exciting, well-made movie that will make you think, “Django” is definitely worth checking out.
The Scenes
“Django” has several memorable scenes that stick with you long after the credits roll:
- The opening sequence where Django and Schultz meet for the first time
- The shootout at Candyland (the plantation owned by Calvin Candie)
- The final confrontation between Django and Candie (which involves a lot of blood and broken glass)
The Gossip
One of the more interesting pieces of “Django” gossip is that Will Smith was originally approached to play Django, but turned down the role because he felt that Schultz had more screen time. While I think Jamie Foxx did an excellent job, it’s hard not to wonder what the movie would have been like with Smith in the lead role.
Another piece of trivia is that Tarantino actually injured himself while filming one scene. During the shootout at Candyland, he accidentally slammed his hand into a glass table and cut himself badly enough that he needed stitches.
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack for “Django” is excellent. There are both original pieces by Ennio Morricone and pre-existing songs from various genres.
One standout moment is when Jim Croce’s “I Got a Name” plays over a montage of Django becoming more confident and skilled as a gunslinger.
The Analysis
“Django” has been analyzed from many different angles since its release. Some critics have praised it for its unique blend of genres, while others have criticized it for its use of racial slurs or its violence.
One common point of discussion is how accurately the movie portrays slavery. Some historians have praised it for its attention to detail, while others have pointed out historical inaccuracies (such as Schultz using a dynamite-powered pistol that didn’t exist at the time).
The Special Effects
“Django” doesn’t rely heavily on special effects, but there are some notable practical effects (such as the squibs used for blood during shootouts).
One effect that stands out is when Schultz shoots a man who is hiding behind a door. The bullet goes through the door and hits the man in the chest, causing him to fly backwards.
The Dialogue
As with any Tarantino movie, “Django” has some great dialogue. Some of my favorite lines include:
- “The D is silent, hillbilly.” – Django correcting a man who mispronounced his name
- “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.” – Schultz after shooting Candie’s sister while trying to buy Broomhilda’s freedom
- “You silver-tongued devil.” – Schultz complimenting Django’s ability to talk his way out of a sticky situation
The Crews
“Django” had an impressive crew working behind the scenes:
- Quentin Tarantino – writer/director/producer
- Robert Richardson – cinematographer (who has worked with Tarantino on several other movies)
- Ennio Morricone – composer (who famously turned down the opportunity to work on “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”)
- Fred Raskin – editor (who has also worked with Tarantino on several other movies)
The Criticism
“Django” has received its fair share of criticism since its release. One common complaint is that it is too violent or that it uses racial slurs excessively.
There have also been criticisms about how accurately the movie portrays slavery, or whether or not it trivializes a very serious topic.
The Production and Editing
“Django” was filmed primarily in the United States, with some scenes shot in Italy. The editing for the movie was handled by Fred Raskin, who worked closely with Tarantino to ensure that the pacing and tone were just right.
One interesting note – because “Django” was filmed on actual plantations, some of the cast and crew reported experiencing paranormal activity during production.