Quentin Tarantino calls Yellowstone a “soap opera” due to its ‘forgettable’ format

As a film enthusiast with decades of cinematic experiences under my belt, I find myself deeply appreciative of the current golden age of television. Shows like Game of Thrones and The Rings of Power are pushing boundaries in terms of production quality, while actors like Nicole Kidman, Dwayne Johnson, Harrison Ford, and Kevin Costner are elevating small-screen storytelling to new heights. However, I must admit that I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to my storytelling preferences.

According to reports, as Taylor Sheridan’s series Yellowstone concludes what might be its final season, Quentin Tarantino has shared that he’s a fan of the show – up to a certain extent.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say, it feels like a golden age for TV fans! Shows such as Game of Thrones and The Rings of Power are receiving budgets usually reserved for movies. On top of that, big-name stars like Nicole Kidman, Dwayne Johnson, Harrison Ford, and Kevin Costner are choosing to act in series now instead of films. It’s a dream come true!

Quentin Tarantino, who’s often seen as a rule-breaker, is well-known for his forceful views and championing the significance and worth of films. Recently, he’s challenged the concept of high-end television, with Yellowstone being one of the shows under scrutiny.

Even the best series don’t have a true payoff, Tarantino says

During an interview with Joe Rogan, accompanied by his Pulp Fiction writing partner Roger Avary, Quentin Tarantino acknowledged that top-tier filmmaking methods are employed in today’s most exceptional TV productions.

Many people are praising the quality of modern TV shows these days. While I do think it’s quite decent, for me, it remains television. However, they’re employing cinematic vocabulary to engage viewers deeply.

Tarantino found his viewpoint reflected in the TV series Yellowstone. He admitted he hadn’t watched it for the first few years, but after seeing the first season, he was astonished, exclaiming “Wow, this is fantastic!” Later on, he enjoyed multiple seasons of the show, including its spinoff 1883.

This viewing spree sparked a realization in the director: “As I watch it, I get drawn in, completely captivated. But at the end of the day, it’s just like a soap opera. They’ve presented you with various characters… and beyond that, it’s all about your attachment to the soap opera, about what’s happening to these particular characters.

He compared it to a high-quality Western film. “A good Western movie will stay with me forever,” Tarantino went on, “There’s a reward in it, but there’s no reward here. There’s just more complex drama, and while I’m watching it, that’s satisfying. But when it’s done… I can’t recall any specific details of it.

Tarantino discusses Yellowstone at the 1:56:23 timestamp below.

Hopefully, the finale of Yellowstone’s fifth season carries enough emotional impact to persuade the director into considering it as a standalone film, given its length suggests that possibility.

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2024-12-12 17:06