Since he began directing films and succeeding thanks to projects like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino has been clear that he would only direct ten films in his career -understanding Kill Bill Vol.1 and Vol. 2 as a single unit-. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, released in 2019, was his ninth feature film, and now he has just announced what will be his tenth and final film.
The Movie Critic will be the title of Tarantino’s latest foray into the industry, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film will be set in Los Angeles in the late seventies, and will feature a woman as the protagonist. If all goes according to plan, Tarantino would like to shoot it this fall.
A biopic of Pauline Kael?
Apparently, the film will focus on the story of Pauline Kael, one of the most popular film critics of all time, who was at odds with half of Hollywood at the time and was a tough nut to crack for producers and studios. In the late 1970s, Kael worked as a consultant for Paramount, a position she accepted at the urging of actor Warren Beatty. If plans are confirmed, Tarantino will adapt that era.
It is no news that the director of Inglourious Basterds feels great admiration for the figure of this film critic. However, taking into account how the director usually adapts real stories -or if not, just ask Bruce Lee-, it wouldn’t be surprising if the film goes much further than the real story, and ends up becoming a new homage to 20th century cinema.
The film would still not have a studio behind it, although Sony could finally be the company that would help him in the production, thanks to Tarantino’s good relationship with president Tom Rothman. This studio was already the one that helped him to make Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with a unique deal that allowed the rights to return to the filmmaker after a while. And the same could happen again with his next feature film.
Undoubtedly, there is a mixture of joy and sorrow with this news. On the one hand, whenever a Tarantino film is announced, the film world is filled with happiness. But, on the other hand, knowing that this will be his last film is not at all pleasant. We will miss good old Quentin.
