Quentin Tarantino Breaks Down the Problem With ‘Yellowstone’

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As a long-time admirer of Quentin Tarantino‘s cinematic masterpieces, I must admit his recent comments about TV left me a tad perplexed. Having spent countless hours immersed in the captivating narratives of television shows like “Yellowstone,” I find myself at odds with his perspective.

Vocal artist (not the singing kind) Quentin Tarantino has much to say about the state of TV today. The Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood director had some less-than-favorable opinions on the cinematic sleight of how many of the prestige TV shows, such as the Paramount hit
, use in their visual esthetics. He shared his criticisms during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience alongside his Pulp Fiction co-writer Roger Avary. During his diatribe, Tarantino spoke about his experience with modern television versus his favorite films:

Many people praise modern television as exceptional. Indeed, it’s quite good, I must admit. However, to me, it remains television. I can’t help but wonder what sets it apart from a captivating film. After all, many TV shows today seem to have the feel of a movie. They employ cinematic techniques to draw you in…I might cherish a memorable Western film for my entire life, recalling its narrative and specific scenes. It culminates in an emotional climax that lingers. But with this content, there’s no such lasting impact. There’s just more interwoven drama without a satisfying resolution.

Quentin Tarantino pondered that shows such as Yellowstone, with their film-like visual aesthetics in cinematography and color grading, may not carry the enduring emotional resonance of films that conclude a narrative. It might appear, from one perspective, that television producers are employing this technique to give their work a more cinematic legitimacy. However, viewed differently, it suggests that TV technology is becoming increasingly affordable and the visual styles of TV creators are simply growing more refined.

Quentin Tarantino Displays a Fundamental Misunderstanding of TV

In simpler terms, the auteur filmmaker’s critique of TV may not fully grasp the essence of the medium. Unlike films, TV series aren’t typically structured to conclude a larger story. Instead, their purpose is to generate continuous narratives filled with plots and complexities, extending the show for as long as it can become popular and influential enough for executives to claim credit. However, it should be noted that the emotional impact of TV shows can sometimes take time to fully sink in. For instance, while specific episodes, character deaths, and major plot twists might be remembered, the overall impact of a series is often felt only after its final episode, as demonstrated by the reception of the Game of Thrones finale.

Tarantino continued, describing Yellowstone as nothing more than “just a soap opera.”

“I didn’t start watching ‘Yellowstone’ until its first season, which I found incredibly engaging. Despite this, I view it as a soap opera because it presents various characters with complex backstories and relationships that draw me in. However, at the end of the day, my connection to the show is similar to that of a soap opera.

I don’t know who is going to tell him, but yeah, that’s just what TV is.

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2024-12-12 17:01