Warning: Spoilers Below:
I saw “Django Unchained” on Sunday, I really enjoyed it. First, I’m a sap for righteous revenge movies. Second, nothing could be more righteous. But there was a lot more to the movie than that.
Of all the characters, I found Samuel L. Jackson’s “Stephen” to be the most interesting. Because, despite his (mandatory) public Uncle Tomfoolery, it was clear that he was the brains behind the entire plantation. That brief scene in the library revealed that to be the case. Even his public displays of servility to Candie were tinged with sarcasm … as with his “you is a rock in my shoe” comment. While we are meant to dislike Stephen (and we do, for the obvious reasons), there is a certain poignancy to his character. Today, he would be a corporate CEO, a senior military officer, or a major politician.
I found it interesting that the white protagonist in the film, Dr. Schultz, was German. The same actor who played (so wonderfully) the Nazi in “Inglorious Basterds.” I had to wonder if Tarantino intentionally made the character German, to balance out his portrayal of Germans in the other film? Or maybe he just enjoys working with Christopf Waltz, just as he obviously does with Samuel L. Jackson. Anyway, I bet Europeans find Schultz's nationality particularly appealing.
As to Schultz, and his shooting of Calvin Candie, well … the storyline did explain it, with his ruminating over the former fighting slave torn apart by dogs, his anger over Broomhilda’s plight, as well his irritation over Candie’s (really Stephen’s) seeing through his scheme to save Broomhilda at nominal cost. Still, with all of that, Schultz was no softie (as a bounty hunter, he had no problem killing men, including having Django shoot a man in front of the man’s son). He was also very savvy. For him to fly off the handle like that was a little hard for me to understand, given his instinct for survival. Why not just shake that bastard's hand, and live another day? But it was explained.
Finally, as to the ending: I had to wonder, what happens after the credits? How would it really play out? Being the eternal pessimist, I see everything unraveling into a tragic climax. While we are meant to believe that Django and Broomhilda, armed with their documents of emancipation, will ride north into the sunset, I don’t think so. Sure, the 1850s didn’t have the lightning fast communication that we have today, but still … word would have quickly spread. Particularly with the massive explosion of the house, the fire, the telltale “alarm” of smoke that could be seen for miles. Even though Django shot all the white witnesses (including, hilariously, Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly) … he let the slaves go free (with the exception of the evil sellout Stephen). Of course he had to … in this movie, how could he not? So what would have happened? Word would quickly spread that there had been a major slave revolt in Candieland, the fourth largest plantation in Mississippi. Candie had earlier alluded to this ever-present fear among the white plantation owners, and this fear was historically present at the time. A major manhunt would ensue, to capture any runaway slaves, and to interrogate any who stayed behind. Through coercion if not “voluntary” compliance, other slaves would inform the authorities that Django did it all. (Historically, slave revolts were at times unwound by slaves informing on one another, before things even got off the ground). It is less clear if word would get out that all this happened after Django’s and Schultz’s plot to “swindle” Candie went south, but other slaves may have overheard something about that as well, and they clearly knew he was with Schultz. That’s a small detail, however. “SLAVE REVOLT” would be enough to galvanize the authorities. The papers of emancipation signed by Schultz would serve as an indictment of Django and Broomhilda, were they to actually show them to anyone in the South. So unless Django and Broomhilda were to make it to a “free” state very very quickly, they would likely be apprehended. And even if caught in the north, Django and his coconspirator Broomhilda could well be turned over to the authorities in Mississippi, on charges of murder in the first degree (unless “saved” by the onset of the Civil War). Likely outcome: Both hung by the neck until dead, and probably first tortured. If not first killed by a bounty hunter.
… I know … just a little ray of sunshine. That’s me.
Oh, and as to the “controversy” over the use of the “n” word. That’s just silly. For heaven’s sake, how were the white bigots supposed to be portrayed? And as for Stephen’s use of the term, well, he wasn’t using it as a collegial term of endearment. The word is what it is. A disparging racial slur.
