There is absolutely no doubt that “Inglourious Basterds” is one of Quentin Tarantino’s finest films and one of the Top 10 Films of 2009. It is a beautifully shot and masterfully written movie that courageously re-writes the history of WWII for cinematic purposes. It feels simultaneously epic and intimate. It is both silly and grand. It is another masterpiece of insanity from one of the legendary directors of our time.
The central performance here is not that of Brad Pitt, who is wonderfully nuts as Lt. Aldo Raine. The key to this film’s success is the story of vengeance sought by Mélanie Laurent’s portrayal of Shosanna Dreyfus over the nefarious Col. Hans Landa, played by the impeccable Christoph Waltz. The Nazi Colonel massacre’s Shosanna’s family in the opening scene of the film — a scene that is a masterclass of spoken dialogue and implied meanings. Years later, she stumbles across an opportunity to serve up an ice cold revenge over all of Nazi Germany.
I cannot speak highly enough of this film’s visual grandeur. It is one of the loveliest displays of cinematography in recent years. The colors are so vivid. The settings are characters in and of themselves. As is typical of any Tarantino film, each scene has an identity that is impossible to forget. “Basterds” is so unique and memorable in every way… It is a must-see for any film fan.
