Living With B

‘Django Unchained’ directed by Quinton Tarantino is set two years before the Civil War when Django, a slave, finds himself accompanying an unorthodox German bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz on a mission to capture the vicious Brittle brothers. Their mission was successful, Schultz frees Django and together they hunt the South’s most wanted criminals. Their travels take them to the infamous plantation of shady Calvin Candie, where Django’s long-lost wife is still alive.

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AH! Quinton Tarantino has such a brilliant mind when it comes to directing! I won’t lie, he is such a weird man, but his mind is so brilliant when it comes to this type of stuff! Currently, Denver and I are trying to watch all of Tarantino’s films, and I have not watched one I didn’t like. Anyway, enough about my thoughts on Tarantino, let’s get on with the review!

first thoughts

When Django Unchained began, I felt immediately immersed in the universe and found myself on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next thing to happen. I was initially taken aback by the harsh language and violence taking place. Still, I had to remind myself that this is a historical piece, where the language was harsh, and unspeakable actions were brought upon people of color.

main characters

Django

Jamie Foxx delivers an exceptional performance as Django. He absolutely owns the role, capturing the character’s internal turmoil with remarkable depth. I don’t recall the last time I saw Foxx on my screen, he unquestionably nails this performance, showcasing his skill and range in portraying Django’s journey throughout the film.

Dr. King Schultz

Christoph Waltz owns the role of Dr. Schultz, effortlessly bringing to life a quick-witted, charismatic character. Dr. Schultz was, without a doubt, my favorite throughout the entire film, and he undeniably stole the show on more than one occasion.

Broomhilda von Shaft

Kerry Washington gives a standout performance as Broomhilda, fully embodying the character with an emotional depth that resonates throughout the film. Her portrayal makes Broomhilda’s journey feel incredibly real, and I’m thrilled that she ultimately gets the happy ending she deserves.

Big Daddy

Don Johnson nails the role of Big Daddy, as he always does. From start to finish, Big Daddy gives off a real ‘icky’ vibe — I mean, he makes everyone call him ‘Big Daddy,’ so the discomfort is pretty undeniable!

Calvin Candie

Of course, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers an incredible performance as Calvin — you can’t deny this man’s talent! Calvin is a truly icky character with no redeeming qualities, but DiCaprio nails the role, bringing him to life perfectly.

Stephen

Samuel L. Jackson owns the role of Stephen — that’s all you need to know because he kills it every single time. No question about it. Stephen is an utterly unlikable character, and that’s clear from the moment he’s introduced. He has no redeeming qualities, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise.

final thoughts

I found this to be an enjoyable as well as a hard watch. It is enjoyable in the sense that it is a good movie, with a good cast, and a satisfying ending for Django and Broomhilda. A hard watch in the sense that, I hate seeing people be treated badly and the people of color in the story are treated badly. As mentioned above, it is a period piece and I appreciate it not playing down the mistreatment of people of color during that time, but it is not an easy watch if you are squeamish or just find it hard to watch people suffer.

do i recommend this movie?

I do! I think the plot is well fleshed out, the cast is wonderful, and it was an overall good movie, in my opinion. If you are a bit faint when it comes to blood or violence, I would be wary of it, but even then, I think it’s a good watch.

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Where to Watch: Amazon