'The Hateful Eight' A Review

The Hateful Eight is a western from writer/director Quentin Taratino. Wyoming, sometime in the 1870's, a stage coach roles across a mountainous snow covered landscape. Major Marquis Warren(Samuel L. Jackson) sits atop three corpses he is taking in for bounty in the middle of the road. The stage coach stops and Warren convinces John Ruth(Kurt Russell), who has wanted murderer Daisy Domergue(Jennifer Jason Leigh) in custody, to give him a ride. They also pick up the son of a former confederate officer Chris Mannix(Walton Goggins) as they make their way through an intense blizzard. The weather forces the coach to stop and hold up in the only place around Minnie's Haberdashery.

Although the film is based around an ensemble as we get deeper into the run time it becomes evident Jackson's Maj Warren is the lead. Jackson gives a complicated electric performance, balancing humor, cruelty, and honor. The most meaty role Jackson's had in years and he proves age has only complimented his already considerable talent. Tim Roth as Oswaldo Mobray is the other stand out playing his mysterious Englishmen with a frenetic relish that is magnetic. The entire cast gives great performances, fully formed, mysterious, and engaging with the sole exception of Channing Tatum who seems a bit out of his league.

The 70mm film offers gorgeous sweeping panoramics contrasted with lush vivid interiors. Depth and focus are utilized to compelling effect, the immaculate shot composition is almost balletic especially apparent in moments of confrontation. The orchestral score serves to heighten the already cohesive and inclusive world. These production elements serve to amplify the theatricality of the film creating a complete movie-going experience, one not only narratively satisfying and entertaining but a unique cinematic event.

Sharp evocative film making technique, gleefully rich performances, a dark gripping frontier tale.

See It.