Discuss Chuyện ngày xưa ở… Hollywood
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Representations of masculinity in OUTIH
posted by RockySullivanSTAFFMOD on February 17, 2024 at 7:55 PM
I've been reflecting on OUTIH somewhat lately... and not coming up with much. Tarantino just doesn't seem the same since his editor, Sally Menke, died. A pity. Menke possessed an invisible touch and a strong hand at complementing QT's cinematic violence. RIP Sally. At any rate, ideas pop up in the guy's films that still pique my curiosity. Currently, I'm interested in how Once Upon a Time... uses the actions of two characters, Rick Dalton (an actor) & Cliff Booth (Rick's stuntman).
I consider when Cliff & Rick pound each other (and on others) in the public limelight and what it means. There's also the guys' macho language which I had all but forgotten. OUTIH is a period piece, so such gestures and talk -- which I hardly see dudes practice now -- stick out like a sore body part. I suggest that Quentin Tarantino directed DiCaprio & Pitt to offer up such characteristics, in a sense, acting as a sort of documentarian of men's social development.
What say you?
Reply by bratface
on February 17, 2024 at 11:59 PM
I had wanted to see this for a while. Since I have Hulu, I gave it a go, made it to around the one-hour mark & gave up out of boredom.
Reply by rooprect
on February 18, 2024 at 7:00 AM
I haven't seen this, but I've always noticed this tendency in Tarantino's work. Maybe it's because he stems from the crop of filmmakers who got their start in the late 80s-early 90s toughguy genre. You know, on the heels of Schwarzenegger and Stallone. Reservoir Dogs is basically a room full of toughguys trying to out-toughguy each other.
It's bizarre because I know Tarantino is a huge fan of Chinese director Yimou Zhang who is very much a "woman's director" exploring the sensitive issues that befall tragic heroines (Raise the Red Lantern). Tarantino has remade some of Zhang's films as well as other Chinese classics that focus on the feminine side of action (Kill Bill is a loose remake of Lady Snowblood). But as you pointed out, Tarantino's films always gravitate toward the male machismo trope. He's good at it, maybe that's why he keeps returning to it. But I'm afraid it won't age well in the annals of classic cinema.
Reply by RockySullivan
on February 18, 2024 at 7:11 AM
You didn't want to find out if Sharon Tate makes it through the end?
Reply by rooprect
on February 18, 2024 at 8:11 AM
lol.. reminds me of the comedian who did a routine about Passion of the Christ. He says "Christ dies at the end. Oh crap I spoiled it."
I'm actually more curious to see how Roman Polanski was portrayed. Hollywood has always hypocritically glorified and defended him over that sleazy period of his life, his admitted sex (alleged rape) with a 13 year old girl, etc. But Hollywood still adores him. Would be nice to see a brave filmmaker cut to the chase.
Reply by RockySullivan
on February 19, 2024 at 2:05 PM
Ahh... I hardly remember Roman from the film at all. Sharon Tate, on the other hand, is portrayed with her beauty, splendor and naiveté in full bloom!