Dies from old age in the film- fine. Dies a QT style violent death as she did IRL, strung by the ceiling from her neck after fetus cut from womb and killed- you really don’t see why the family would have a problem with a major film on 3000 screens reliving that on the 50th anniversary of her death?
Over the top violence is QT’s thing, shitting on the memory of a real life person is not. Plus, QT doesn’t do historical reenactments, and this isn’t The Sharon Tate Story, same as IB isn’t the real story of Hitler last days. Pitt and DiCaprio killing Manson and saving Tate is much more satisfying to the audience anyway- I don’t think any of his films, no matter how violent, have downers like that for an ending? And why make an alternate reality film if the ending is the same as the real one?
One, you don’t have to actually show the murder in all it’s gory detail. If it is a story of the detectives, then the actual details need not be shown to have an effective film.
The first movie (make for TV) about the Black Dahlia murder didn’t even give the important detail about the murder, and it was still a good film. Were you there complaining about the second one, that showed the bisected body? Isn’t that “shitting on the memory of a real life person”? If not, what makes it different?
Two, why does it have to be an alternate reality film at all? What’s wrong with actual reality? Helter Skelter was a fine film, and it didn’t involve alternate realities. Most of QT’s films exist in a shadow of the real world, why does this movie have to murder Manson, if that is indeed what happens? If it is, I think I’ll pass. Talk about shitting on a memory.
Of course, a director can do whatever they want with any story, real or near-real or fake. And yes, there have been several low budget Manson and Manson type films showing the brutality, and perfectly fine.
All I am saying is QT is writer as well as director, and has a true affinity for old Hollywood and retro everything. To write a movie based on historically accurate events doesn’t seem to be his thing. He didn’t show Hitler dying in a bunker, he showed his writing skill to make a cool alternative, one which the audience ate up- I don’t see any reason to think anything different here. And if not going for historical accuracy, why not have our heroes save the heroine? True retro Hollywood ending which he loves. Plus, the movie doesn’t claim to be about the murders, its about (made up characters) Pitt and DiCaprio and the last days of old Hollywood, and this story just so happens to take place at the same time as the murders.
But just my opinion based on the very little I know and I could be dead wrong-
I’m not a diehard devoted Tarantino fan (I haven’t seen most of his films, although I of course know Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction), but I’m looking forward to seeing this. Partly, it’s because I know it will be slickly filmed and well edited. Partly, too, because I’ve read Helter Skelter, the definitive book about the Manson murders, so I’m very intrigued by the subject matter.
Count me among those who expect Tarantino to mess with history. He has apparently pleaded with people not to spoil the ending. And, the movie takes place in 3 acts, each reflecting a different day: the third act is the day of the murders of Tate and the others at her ranch. So, we can expect some sort of interaction with the murderers, but we can’t expect the interaction we already know.
This is from Debra’s TMZ interview linked earlier.
I put it in a spoiler box to be safe. I’m not sure if she’s confirming the historical ending or not. Her comment could be taken either way.
I’m going to try and see the movie next week. I’m assuming tickets will be sold out this weekend.
Debra also says it never felt exploitative of the Manson Family victims, and she actually hopes the film will remind people of the grisly crimes they committed and how some members could still get parole … something she fights against to this day.
The murders happened at night. I think it would be funny - dark, no doubt, but funny - if the closest the characters get to the murder is if they look out the window in the morning and wonder “Why are all those cops across the street?”
I’m going tonight, too. 7:30 pm. I’ve only skimmed the reviews, know the basic alt-history QT thingy he likes to do. Other than that, I’m hoping to be very surprised.
The best opening weekend for a Tarantino film was IG with $38M. Given the interest generated, topic, actors, etc. one would think that OUaTiH would easily beat this, maybe $50M.
But the box office for non-blockbuster movies has changed quite a bit in the last couple years. BoxOfficeMojo is predicting $35M but cautioning it could be lower. Sony is only suggesting a $30M opening. I’d bet on the lower number but the hopeless optimist in me says low $40Ms.
