Quentin Tarantino
a short biography of the great man.
The words of Quentin Tarantino, seem to be immortalized into modern popular culture, his film making timeless, inspirational and important, not only to his gangster genre but to independent film. He managed to inspire the next generation of film makers and screen writers. His rags to riches success story is truly inspiring, his enthusiasm for film started at an early age and to this day he is still fascinated and obsessed by the idea of storytelling and film making. For a dyslexic, who dropped out of school aged 15, with no qualifications his rise to the top almost seems fated. He started working in a video store, and it was here that he wrote screenplays such as "True Romance" and "Natural Born Killers". It was off the back of the success of these screenplays that Tarantino met up and coming producer Lawrence Bender, who persuaded him to write and to direct his next film. The film would turn out to be Reservoir Dogs, a so called small Indie filmed that was shown at the Sundance Festival. The success and hype around this film led Tarantino on the path to success and he has not looked back since. From a man on the outskirts of the Hollywood film industry, to one of the greatest director and writer of a generation. Reservoir Dogs, defined Tarantino’s non linear storylines, naturalistic and humourous conversations, with stylized violence. Tarantino modernised the gangster genre and changed it forever. At this point, Tarantino could of defected his indie roots and gone to Hollywood where he was offered Blockbusters such as Men in Black and Speed. Tarantino, instead went to Amsterdam to write what would be the highest grossing indie film of all time. This would inevitably be the Award winning Pulp Fiction. Any thoughts of Tarantino being a one hit wonder, were crushed by this movie. Still within the vein of Reservoir Dogs, it was clear that Tarantino had more money to play with. But he still stayed true to having a clever script with twists and turns throughout the plot, along the way his trademark dark humor shining through. By this film, he was able to attract some big Hollywood names such as Samuel L Jackson, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel and Christopher Walken. Tarantino, instigated one of the greatest Hollywood comebacks by giving Travolta a leading role. Travolta rewarded Tarantino by giving an Oscar nominated performance, he was beaten only by Tom Hank’s performance as Forrest Gump. Tarantino himself won an Oscar for best screenplay, with Pulp Fiction. At last Tarantino, had the recognition his genius deserved. From here onwards, his position in Hollywood legacy was confirmed with two classics behind him. He then went on to film Jackie Brown, which was less critically or commercially success, yet did enough to keep Tarantino’s genius in tact. After a six year break, where he took time out to write, first of all a war epic entitled "Inglorious Bastards", but eventually turned his attentions to the two part revenge epic Kill Bill. A blood filled revenge epic inspired by spaghetti westerns, kung-fu movies and theater practioneer Bertolt Brecht. He would be once again reunited with close friend Uma Thurman, who took the lead role. Kill Bill, would prove a huge commercial success for Tarantino and increase his fan base to a whole new generation. His latest film is split into two parts one part directed by Robert Rodriguez and the other, Deathproof, directed by Tarantino. The two films come under the title Grindhouse. Even if Tarantino was to never be a part of another film again, his legacy has been made. He has written golden pages in the history of Hollywood, and will be remembered as one of the greatest film makers of his generation. He will be the sole inspiration for the next generation of contempary film makers.
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