Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • January 23, 2013 ‘Django Unchained’ (continued from Entertainment page) screenwriting, the viewer suffers. The main reason to see this film, even if you’re not enamored of graphic violence, is the performance of Waltz. His scenes and dialogue are especially well written and, because his Schultz is a European, viewers can accept the idea of him partnering with a black man, something that shocks the white people they encounter. Waltz knows how to get the most out of his dialogue and his is the best developed character in the picture. Intelligent, compassionate, and ruthless, Schultz is an interesting combination. His sense of right and wrong is questionable when it comes to locating the men he is hunting, and that is intriguing. He respects the law, works under its authority, and expects the same of the small town law enforcement officers. Waltz has been nominated for an Academy Award for his performance. Foxx is burdened with far less memorable dialogue. His transformation from a cowed slave to a confident gunfighter might strain credibility, but is emotionally satisfying, since viewers have seen the scars countless whippings have left on his back. Though Foxx plays the title role, he is overshadowed by Waltz. Foxx does get viewers to root for his character, but there is a tentativeness in his performance, almost as if he cannot bring himself to immerse himself fully in slave mentality. He is far better in the later scenes, when he does not have to lower his head, avoid eye contact with white men, and simply accept his lot. Di Caprio has a meaty role as the reprehensible plantation owner. Candie’s favored sport is Mandingo fighting: pitting two strong slaves against each other in a fight to the death, with his fine home standing in for the Roman Coliseum. The role is overwritten, perhaps because Tarantino felt he had to showcase his major star with as much screen time as possible. Despite his best efforts, however, Di Caprio never fully conveys the depth of his character’s evil. Samuel L. Jackson is outstanding as Stephen, Candie’s elderly slave and partner in slave mistreatment. Jackson has some amusing scenes as an outspoken man who is tolerated by Candie mostly because of his age and devotion. But he also comes off as one of the most heinous characters in the picture, since he stands by or even encourages abuse. Tarantino’s love of movies and their history is apparent in his casting of supporting roles. Bruce Dern, Jonah Hill, Dennis Christopher, Russ Tamblyn, Tom Wopat, Franco Nero, James Russo, and Tom Savini all show up in small roles, and Don Johnson has a sizeable part as plantation owner Big Daddy. “Django Unchained,” rated R, is extremely violent. For those who can tolerate the violence, Walz’s performance makes this movie worth watching.