Death Proof: A Tarantino Twist That Demands Patience
My initial reaction to Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof” was an unexpected urge to walk out. Not from fear, but from a surprising sense of boredom. Don’t let this stop you! The action takes its time to ignite, making the eventual explosion all the more impactful. To truly appreciate the film’s radical nature and be completely captivated by it, you absolutely must watch it through to the end.
Quentin Tarantino’s fifth full-length film, “Death Proof” (part of the “Grindhouse” double feature, 2007), had a muted reception at Cannes. Tarantino, however, remained confident as ever, with a vision to match his dedicated fanbase. While Cannes critics weren’t sold, the “Grindhouse” project, combining “Death Proof” with Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror,” garnered praise from online communities and it impressively climbed IMDb’s top film list.
The Grindhouse Concept: A Throwback to Exploitation Cinema
“Death Proof” was initially marketed as a horror film in the vein of 1970s “B-movies”. Rodriguez aimed to capture watching exploitation films in the grindhouse theaters of the era. These theaters showed double or triple bills of cheap horror and action movies.
Grindhouse theaters attracted a diverse audience. The Grindhouse movies never really took off with American audiances, so it’s separation was imminent for international distribution. This explains why many didn’t see the fake trailers so important to the original “Grindhouse experience.”
Death Proof: More Than Just a Title
The title “Death Proof” refers to the reinforced vehicles used by stunt performers to protect them from serious injury, or even death. Tarantino has said that the idea for the film grew out of a conversation about building a completely death-proof car.
Unveiling the Surprises Within
The biggest surprise about “Death Proof” is that it initially gives you that I want to leave now type of vibe. It’s not scary; it starts a bit slow. But you’ll find that that’s exactly what makes the film click.
Subverting Expectations: Style and Genre
The film initially feels like a '70s exploitation flick, with cheesy music, garish titles, and a grainy film look we all know and love. But the film’s aesthetic gets a curveball thrown into the mix with the presence of modern cell phones! Tarantino scraps the formal aging of the film altogether, which may frustrate some viewers.
Moreover, the film messes with genre expectations. While marketed as a horror film, “Death Proof” is distinctly different. Stuntman Mike (played by Kurt Russell), the killer who uses his car to murder women, avoids the classic horror villain mold.
Stuntman Mike: A Killer with a Childlike Innocence
Stuntman Mike isn’t played as pure evil. Tarantino wanted to make him sexually twisted, but later got rid of that element. Instead, Mike has the enthusiasm of a child. Chases and murders become an exciting game. He thinks it is for the victims as well. When one of the girls gets him during another chase, he responds in shock! Whether Tarantino meant to or not, Stuntman Mike is his alter ego.
A Playful Homage
The film is filled with playful elements, and funny fake product placements for non-existent brands like Red Apple Cigarettes and Chango Beer even feature.
A Tribute to the “Scream Queens”
The true nature of Tarantino’s homage appears in the film’s final act. The lengthy girl talk is key. “Death Proof” is a tribute to the women of cinema. Tarantino shouts out the opposite sex, with a unique subculture in their style, conversations, and roles playing out on the big screen. Those “Scream Queens”!