QT8: The First Eight | Film Review

“But you can’t kill the main character in the middle of the movie.”

Director Tara Wood wastes no time introducing us to her intentions with QT8: The First Eight; this is – first and foremost – a celebration of the works of Quentin Tarantino. It is an important anecdote to note, because if you were hoping for a shockingly tawdry expose plunging into Tarantino’s childhood – ripe with family secrets explaining his fascination with the criminal underbelly, gimps, and a vernacular so profane it might make Richard Pryor blush – then prepare for disappointment. Tara Wood, like so many of us, is a fan.

Instead, QT8 takes us on a journey through the past 21 years of Tarantino’s filmography, from Reservoir Dogs to The Hateful Eight, and specifically acts as our guide through the creation and release of those films. How he turned his residuals from The Golden Girls into a feature film career, his inspirations and motivations, most of all his unrivaled knowledge of cinema history.

Many critics have taken a dagger to Tarantino’s inherent ability to create a singular unique voice, eschewing traditional linear storytelling amidst often times shocking dialogue, while simultaneously paying “homage” to almost every obscure title in movie history. While Tarantino has owned this throughout his career, Wood smartly allows Quentin’s fellow artists the opportunity to illuminate this backstory, explaining how much love and reverence Tarantino pours into every shot, line of dialogue, reference, and detailed moment he commits to celluloid. And by doing so, these artists inject the film with a vividly layered understanding of the method behind the madness: the man simply obsessively worships and appreciates the art of movies.

“Quentin is very hands on.”

Though his tootsies fetish is essentially glossed over (and honestly what could be added, QT digs feet, we get it), Wood’s celebration doesn’t ignore Tarantino’s frequent use of the “N word”, allowing Samuel L. Jackson and Jamie Foxx to defend his artistic choices, nor the Hollywood elephant in the room: Harvey Weinstein. As the behind-the-scenes overlord producing Tarantino’s films up to The Hateful Eight, Weinstein is also part of his success. As she does throughout the film, Wood allows her interviews – Michael Madsen in particular holds nothing back – to paint a clear picture of these men and their relationship, including the aftermath of Weinstein’s heavily publicized scandal. And thankfully for the film, this is kept to a minimum as QT8 keeps its eyes squarely on the prize of its subject.

Also addressed – and much more pointedly at Tarantino – is the driving incident between Uma Thurman and Tarantino where he coerced the actress to operate a vehicle for a shot on Kill Bill that demanded a stunt performer instead. This also led to the fracturing of their relationship, and a factor as to why Thurman never pops up throughout the documentary. It is an event that showcases Tarantino’s occasionally unhealthy obsession with the perfect shot (along with Diane Kruger’s fascinating Inglourious Basterds recounting), and illuminates the growth of his humanity as a person when he finally does right by Uma.

“The voice of his generation.”

In the world of film, few directors carry a mind for movies in quite the same way as Quentin Tarantino. What becomes clearer than ever by the end of this film, is that every compliment Tarantino has received over the years is warranted, and that those who have participated in these films remain fiercely loyal to him. Tarantino’s phenomenal evolution as a filmmaker is undeniable as we watch his style begin with static shots reliant on electric dialogue, and grow into glorious 70mm works of artistic perfection.

In QT8: The First Eight, Tara Wood takes us on a voyage of discovery which we’ve already taken, and somehow we walk away with, yes, newer anecdotes, but also a deeper appreciation for the artist himself. From behind a video store counter just a few decades ago, Quentin Tarantino has emerged as one of the greatest visionaries in cinema. And QT8 is a wondrous celebration of his journey.

QT8: The First Eight releases on VOD December 3, 2019
Appearances by Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell, Zoë Bell, Robert Forster, Michael Madsen
Directed by Tara Wood