Small Scale Research - Director Case Study: Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino is one of the most popular directors of all time and has a cult following due to his unique style. He enjoyed early success in his directing career with Reservoir Dogs, just his second film catapulting him to fame and earning excellent critical reception. Since then he has directed various very successful films - including Pulp Fiction, which is widely considered a classic - that have made him into one of the most admired directors of the modern era of film. Despite being praised for his work by the majority of critics, he has always split opinions among them, and many dislike his style of filmmaking, while he has also been criticised for certain controversial aspects of his work such as his use of excessive violence and frequent racial epithets.

Style

As stated previously, Tarantino's trademark is the use of graphic violence in his films. This was immediately evident as early work such as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction are both known for including numerous gory sequences. At times this violence is used for comical means as well as for the thrill of the action. Some critics have condemned Tarantino for his use of blood and gore for artistic value. 

He has been heavily influenced by films in foreign languages and animated work. He cited Kinju Fukasaku's 'Battle Royale' as his favourite film since he became a director. He also stated that the animated action sequence in Kill Bill was inspired by the animated sequences in Indian director Kamal Haasan's Tamil film 'Aalavandhan'.

Music is also a very important part of Tarantino's films. The soundtracks produced for his films, which often consist of songs from a range of genres, are highly regarded, with that of Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained both being nominated for Grammy Awards.

Successes

Pulp Fiction is the film for which Tarantino is perhaps best known. It epitomises Tarantino's work in that it is filmed in a style that few mainstream Hollywood directors produce.

Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino's breakthrough film, is also very highly regarded, and provided the first sight of Tarantino's dedication to violence and black comedy that he is known for.

Kill Bill Volumes I and II were also met with critical acclaim, and also display Tarantino's penchant for violence and long action sequences.

Jackie Brown signalled a continuation of Tarantino's success during the 1990s, following the continuing theme of graphic violence and dark humour.

Kill Bill, the two part action film, was also a critical and commercial success

Failures

The only film Tarantino has directed that has not general critical acclaim is his 2007 film 'Death Proof', although it was certainly not poorly regarded.

Collaborations

The actor Tarantino has called upon most frequently is Samuel L. Jackson, who he has worked with on six different occasions: Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill, Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained and in upcoming film The Hateful Eight.

Zoe Bell is second to Jackson, she has worked with Tarantino in his last five projects: Kill Bill, Death Proof, Inglorious Basterds, Django Unchained and the Hateful Eight.