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‘The Movie Critic’: Quentin Tarantino’s 10th Film May Very Well Be His Last
Quentin Tarantino is back in the saddle for one final ride. The Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood director is concocting his tenth and final film, marking what is expected to be a farewell to the movie-making business. The Hollywood Reporter recently revealed that the celebrated filmmaker has already penned a script for The Movie Critic, with production to commence sometime later this fall. Unsurprisingly, details surrounding the movie are being kept under tight wraps; however, the publication notes that the movie will take place in late 1970s Los Angeles, with a female lead at its heart.
RELATED: Quentin Tarantino Says These 7 Films are ‘Perfect’
Pauline Kael | Image: Erin Combs/Toronto Star via Getty
While nothing has been confirmed at this point, the setting and time period was enough for The Guardian to speculate that the film’s plot might be loosely based on Pauline Kael. A real-life critic, Kael was known for her “witty, biting, highly opinionated and sharply focused” reviews. During the late ’70s, she even had a brief stint working as a consultant for Paramount, which THR says “seems to coincide with the setting of the script.”
Tarantino, himself, has a tremendous fondness for Kael and his 2022 non-fiction novel Cinema Speculation drew significant inspiration from Kael’s works, so it won’t be surprising if he dedicates his final movie to the acerbic critic. As of writing, no studios are attached to the film, but THR’s sources say that could change “as early as this week.”
While sadly, Quentin Tarantino’s reportedly plans to step away from the big screen don’t come out of the blue. The acclaimed artist has never shied away from sharing his retirement goals, stating on multiple occasions that he wants to direct either 10 films or retire by the time he is 60. He’s currently got nine movies in the bank and will be turning 60 later this month, so the clock is ticking.
Quentin Tarantino | Image: Weinstein Company/Everett Coll
Furthermore, the writer-director is of the opinion that filmmakers turn creatively dead as they age. During a 2012 interview with Playboy, he said, “I just don’t want to be an old-man filmmaker. I want to stop at a certain point. Directors don’t get better as they get older. Usually the worst films in their filmography are those last four at the end. I am all about my filmography, and one bad film f—s up three good ones.”
“When directors get out-of-date, it’s not pretty. I’m on a journey that needs to have an end and not be about me trying to get another job. I want this artistic journey to have a climax. I want to work toward something,” he continued. “You stop when you stop, but in a fanciful world, 10 movies in my filmography would be nice. I’ve made seven. If I have a change of heart, if I come up with a new story, I could come back. But if I stop at 10, that would be okay as an artistic statement.”
The end of Tarantino’s filmmaking career might be bittersweet for movie buffs, but there is a caveat. Late last year, the Oscar-winner confirmed he was planning to create a new eight-episode limited series set for release sometime in 2023. Once again, the details are scarce but it would appear Tarantino’s retirement clause might only apply to film. For that, we’re thankful.
Shubhendu Vatsa
Shubhendu Vatsa is an experienced reporter specialising in video game, eSports and technology coverage. A BTech IT graduate, Shubhendu has previously written for entertainment-based publications such as GiveMeSport, Touch, Tap, Play, Attack of the Fanboy, EssentiallySports, Twinfinite and The Load Out.
