Quentin Tarantino: The failure of Death Proof shook his confidence

Quentin Tarantino is a name that needs no introduction in the world of cinema. The acclaimed director has given us some of the most iconic movies of all time, including Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, and Django Unchained. However, like any other artist, Tarantino has had his fair share of failures too. One of these failures was his 2007 movie, Death Proof.

Death Proof is a part of the Grindhouse double feature film that Tarantino co-directed with Robert Rodriguez. The movie follows a stuntman, Mike (played by Kurt Russell), who uses his “death-proof” car to kill young women. However, his plan goes awry when he encounters a group of women who are equally determined to take him down.

When Death Proof was released, it received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. While some praised the movie’s nods to the exploitation films of the 70s, others found it slow-paced and lacking in substance. Moreover, Death Proof failed to perform well at the box office, grossing only $30 million worldwide against its $53 million budget. The movie’s failure was a blow to Tarantino, who had been riding high on the success of Kill Bill at the time.

In a 2014 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Tarantino admitted that the failure of Death Proof had shaken his confidence. He said, “It was the first time I had to endure the ‘Tarantino’s overrated’ conversation. And I’m like, ‘No, I’m not. It’s just that particular movie. Leave me alone.'”

The failure of Death Proof was particularly significant for Tarantino because it was the first time he had experienced a setback in his career. Up until that point, he had been hailed as one of the most innovative and talented filmmakers of his generation. The success of movies like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill had established him as a major force in Hollywood.

However, the failure of Death Proof made Tarantino question his abilities as a filmmaker. He wondered whether he had lost his touch and whether he would ever be able to make another successful movie. In an interview with The Telegraph, Tarantino said, “I was very depressed for about six months. And I started doubting myself, like, ‘Do I still have it? Have I lost my touch? Am I not good anymore? Have I just lost my touch?'”

Despite the setback, Tarantino refused to give up. He went back to the drawing board, reevaluated his approach to filmmaking, and came back stronger than ever. In 2009, he released Inglourious Basterds, which was a critical and commercial success. The movie grossed over $321 million worldwide and received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.

Inglourious Basterds proved that Tarantino still had what it takes to make great movies. The movie was a testament to his resilience and determination in the face of failure. Tarantino’s ability to bounce back from setbacks is a testament to his creative genius and his unwavering passion for filmmaking.

In conclusion, the failure of Death Proof was a significant setback for Quentin Tarantino, but it was not the end of his career. The movie’s poor reception shook his confidence and made him question his abilities as a filmmaker. However, Tarantino refused to give up and went on to make some of the most iconic movies of all time. His ability to bounce back from failure is a testament to his creative genius and his unwavering passion for filmmaking. As Tarantino himself said, “I have a very strong will. I’m not going to let anybody else tell me what I can and can’t do.”