‘Death Proof’s’ Women Fight Back in Style
Although grindhouse films were before my time, Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof” brings to life the era of exploitation and cheap thrills that were characteristic of those types of movies. Bad editing, grainy footage and missing frames are littered throughout the film but fortunately never distract. In the end, “Death Proof” turns the tables on its antagonist and becomes a movie about feminist power — a refreshing change from your typical slash-and-grab films.
“Death Proof” originally was part of a two-part feature (which included Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror”) that was released April 6 in the U.S. The film did poorly, even though it received many positive reviews. Some blame it on the running time, which was more than three hours and also on the gimmick of a two-part feature, which confused many theater-goers.
To prevent a repeat of its poor performance overseas, the films were to be lengthened and split into two separate films for international distribution, according to the Weinstein Company. The “Death Proof” entry at the Cannes Film Festival is a result of this process and contains extra and missing footage from the original U.S. release.
The film tells the story of two groups of female friends played by a variety of familiar actresses — too many to name here. However, the standouts are Zoe Bell, a New Zealand stunt woman who amusingly plays herself, “Cold Case’s” Tracie Thorns and Rosario Dawson.
The movie is broken into two chapters. The first chapter takes place in Austin, where a group of three women go out for a night on the town and end up drinking, dancing and smoking a lot of weed at various Texas bars. Little do they know that psychopath Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) is following them and waiting to kill them with his “death proof” stunt car — a 1969 Dodge Challenger. I won’t say what happens to the women, but the scene is grisly.
The second part takes place in Lebanon, Tenn., where four female friends are taking a day off from a film shoot to check out a white 1970 Dodge Challenger. Bell and Thorns later have plans for test driving the Challenger, and Dawson is just along the for the ride. Eventually, the women get on Stuntman Mike’s radar, and a car chase begins.
Again, I won’t spoil the film, but things turn out quite differently than expected. In fact, it’s a pleasant surprise to see what happens to the women and Stuntman Mike, which ends suddenly in B-Movie style.
“Death Proof” seemed well-received by the international press, which, as my Cannes roommate commented, is fascinating because its likely their first exposure to a grindhouse film. I did hear one journalist boo the screen afterward, but it could have been a joke.
I’ve always enjoyed Tarantino’s films, with my favorite being “Pulp Fiction,” which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1994. “Death Proof” has great dialogue and interesting style — if you appreciate that most of the film is just witty banter between feminists, with some thrilling car scenes thrown in for good measure.
3.5 stars
***
Wayne’s star system
1 star –> avoid at all costs
2 stars –> watch on TV when nothing else is on
3 stars –> rent it eventually
4 stars –> must see before you die
“Death Proof” (IMDB)
“Pulp Fiction” (IMDB)
Leave a Reply