Film review: 'Django Unchained' — A bloody good time

Film: Django Unchained
Cast: Samuel L Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Rating: ***1/2

Who would have thought a Spaghetti Western could be made around the evolution of slavery? Well, only Quentin Tarantino perhaps! A slight shift from his signature films, Django gets a different treatment, one that takes time to settle in before casting its spell on you. Jamie Foxx plays the lead role of a freed slave who takes help of a bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) to save his wife (Kerry Washington) from the clutches of an tyrant plantation owner Calvin Candie (DiCaprio). Samuel L Jackson who has one of the best written roles in the film plays Candie’s servant. 

Unlike Kill Bill or his World War II ode Inglorious Basterds, Django takes time to weave its charm. Despite the blood spilling mayhem and action, there is an undercurrent of unpredictability through out the film. The ensemble cast dances to the tunes of Tarantino with expertise. Especially Jackson and DiCaprio who are remarkable and it is a shame the latter didn’t get recognition for his performance at the award shows. Style being the directors forte, some of the  scenes are lit so beautifully that you can’t help but marvel at them. Dialogue at times is lengthy, but never fails to sting you with its wit. The score and background music take the film to another level. Not as catchy as the whistle from Kill Bill or the melancholy haunting of Basterds, it still manages to stay with you as the credits roll. 

The funny moments come when least expected, and the humour is dark yet cuts through the tension bringing in the laughs. A tad bit too long and self indulgent, the film could have been tighter especially in the second half. Not a classic Tarantino film, Django makes for an entertaining viewing because  of its brilliant screenplay and some top notch performances from the cast.