TARRANTINO’s HATEFUL EIGHT AND THE HIERARCHY OF FILM SCRIPTS Plot: “Clue”, but w

TARRANTINO’s HATEFUL EIGHT AND THE HIERARCHY OF FILM SCRIPTS

Plot: “Clue”, but with comic book levels of violence, and Mythic rather than realistic characters.

He’s excellent at use of the articulate inner voice – cunning things we wish we could say, but never would. He puts yoda in our underclasses to give them voice – whereas otherwise they would be uninteresting. Just as we love to see middle class people in lower class roles, he gives us articulate near-poets from the upper classes in lower class roles. And he does it with skilled actors.

There are many virtues of using mythic characters rather than close-up technique of the james-dean/marlon-brando and american method actors. I’m certainly a fan of myth. Possibly because its easier to understand. Possibly because I don’t have to suspend disbelief because I’m aware it’s a stage play from which I can satisfy moral need.

HIERARCHY OF FILM SCRIPTS (THE GOLDEN MEAN IN FILM)

Free Association – detached from order and meaning – Film school stuff etc.

Fantasy – detached from reality – detaches us from reality – daydreaming.

Myth – moral engagement

Drama – emotional engagement and entertainment

Illustration – what passes for literary illustration of the human condition.

Documentary – what passes for unbiased reporting – awareness

Raw Footage – Security camera video.