The classic movie Quentin Tarantino says reaches a new “level of incompetence”
Known for his incredibly stylish work and love of cinematic violence, Quentin Tarantino is one of the most beloved filmmakers of our time. Very few can boast a catalogue of acclaimed movies ranging from Pulp Fiction to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Tarantino’s appreciation of cinema started when he was young, inspiring him to take up a job in a video store while spending his spare time writing scripts. After educating himself with as many films as possible, ranging from obscure sexploitation B-movies to old westerns and classic comedies, Tarantino successfully released his debut feature, Reservoir Dogs, in 1992.
It was a landmark of independent cinema, receiving an overwhelmingly strong response. While the film was praised heavily, it also polarised many viewers due to its graphic violence, such as horror icon Wes Craven, who walked out of a screening of it. Still, this was a strong sign of Tarantino’s ability to shock audiences with his bold approach to storytelling, something he has continued to do throughout his career.
While Tarantino is equally loved and hated for his idiosyncratic style, which revels in excessive drug-taking, violent behaviour, and lengthy comedic conversations, it is hard to deny his cinematic knowledge. You only have to take a quick look at his oeuvre to see how a wide breadth of influences has shaped his approach to the medium.
The director has routinely discussed his love (and hatred) of certain movies through podcasts, interviews, television specials, and more. It seems as though the man will not rest until he has shared his opinion on every project you can think of. His passionate and obsessive love for cinema is admirable, and over the years, he has shared some rather daring opinions about popular films that have polarised fans as much as some of his own work.
He once had some bold things to say about Robert Altman’s acclaimed McCabe and Mrs Miller, released in 1971. Tarantino told the Pure Cinema Podcast, “I have an interesting relationship with this movie because I think the first reel of the movie is the worst-mixed reel in the history of Hollywood cinema.”
He added, “It’s so badly… there’s a level of incompetence to the mix that Hollywood never really goes below. Hollywood maybe doesn’t reach its heights every single solitary time, but it doesn’t reach the lows. There is a strong level of mediocrity that it never goes that further down. It’s terrible.”
Tarantino’s thoughts seem to align with contemporary reviews of the film, which were widely negative upon its release. That’s not to say it was universally panned – several critics were very complimentary – but it did not reach anywhere near the same levels of acclaim as other Altman works, such as M*A*S*H and Nashville.
The Pulp Fiction director rather harshly called Altman a “fucking pothead who doesn’t know any fucking better,” continuing his criticisms by highlighting Warren Beatty’s contributions to the movie. “A lot of people think that Warren Beatty was actually kind of the co-director on that movie,” he said.
Tarantino recalled once asking Beatty about his level of involvement when it came to directing the film, with the actor reportedly saying, “Well, you don’t think that pothead could have gotten that performance out of Julie Christie, do you?”
Christie was nominated for an Oscar for the movie, although Tarantino is certain that this had little to do with Altman’s involvement. He added, “Warren Beatty is fantastic, and it’s obvious Warren Beatty is directing himself. He’s not listening to Altman.”
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