Tarantino has said that Cliff's character carries "a monster within himself," and, if provoked, Cliff unleashes the monster. Its what he does to the Manson guy who put the knife in his tire; and way at the end, its what he does to the OTHER Manson family members.
On a "lower level," Cliff unleashes the monster on Bruce Lee when gets tired of the bragging -- Cliff insults Lee about being "a dancer who can't handle a real fight," and "a little man with a chip(on the shoulder)," plus "you wouldn't be a stain on Cassius Clay's shorts." This leads to the agreed-upon fight between the two men, and to Cliff getting fired, but Cliff rather brings it on himself with the heavy insults to Lee. He let the monster out.
These glimpses of the "monster" in Cliff further feed the idea that maybe he DID kill his wife. We certainly see her insulting him within an inch of his life...could that have triggered the monster?
And why DOES Cliff have the monster within? One single solitary line uttered by Leo to Kurt Russell gives us the clue: "He's fckin war hero." A War hero likely from WWII, or Korea, or both. And war heroes -- usually kill a lot of people. Cliff may have come back with his war hero "monster" within. (Which, interestingly enough, ties cliff to DeNiro's "Irishman," a killer solder who brings his murderous skills back to the States for the Mafia.)
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[deleted]
5 years ago
"And why DOES Cliff have the monster within? One single solitary line uttered by Leo to Kurt Russell gives us the clue: "He's fckin war hero.""
Good catch. That line didn't mean much to me at the time, yeah, maybe there was more significance than I attached to it.
"These glimpses of the "monster" in Cliff further feed the idea that maybe he DID kill his wife. We certainly see her insulting him within an inch of his life...could that have triggered the monster?"
Good point.
On another thread, I posed this very question. It was strictly a poll as we'll never know for certain unless QT eventually tells us.
Although I like to think he didn't murder her, he gave her a pretty intense look as he casually pointed the spear gun in her direction. It was very different look compared to his persona throughout the rest of the movie where he sort of let everything just roll off his back.
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[deleted]
5 years ago
"A War hero likely from WWII, or Korea, or both."
You know, on further reflection, you may have solved another mystery for me.
When Cliff squares off against Bruce Lee, he doesn't fight using classic Western boxing... something that most stuntmen of the day were trained in for staging movie fights.
He uses some sort of martial arts himself, starting with his initial combat stance.
If he did fight in Korea -- he would have been in his early 30s -- it's possible that he picked up some martial arts while he was over there. (Chuck Norris got his start while serving in the military in post-war Korea.)
Nice bit of detective work there, ecarle...
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ecarle (14979)
5 years ago
I've seen the movie again, and earlier in the film we get this bit :
Brad: So ..you're feeling better now.
Leo: Yes.
Brad: Then give me back my sunglasses.
Leo: Come and get 'em, sucker.
Brad raises his fists and Leo backs down fast.
Leo: Hold on, Audie Murphy!
..and gives them back.
Its all in fun, its not really a fight, but Leo DOES back down fast, acknowledging that he knows Brad is a war hero/tough guy. Audie Murphy was a real-life WWII war hero who killed a lot of men and ended up with a movie made about his WII life(he played himself) and a lot of Western leads.
So another clue...Cliff Booth has seen war, fought hard, killed people. He's laid back but...mess with him at your peril.
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Jehosaphet (1063)
5 years ago
Really enjoy these types of posts...good insights ecarle, thanks for taking the time. I didn't catch that either.
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wrlord (1227)
5 years ago
I disagree. In every instance of Cliff going off on someone, they have it coming - AND he gives them every chance to back down first. He clearly acts within a code of honor.
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ecarle (14979)
5 years ago
I disagree. In every instance of Cliff going off on someone, they have it coming - AND he gives them every chance to back down first. He clearly acts within a code of honor
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That is true...what's interesting about Cliff Booth is that while he has a monster within that he can unleash, he is really a very laid back, warm and friendly guy most of the time.
As I write this, Brad Pitt has not won the Best Supporting Oscar yet for Cliff Booth..but I'm pretty sure he will. Another such winner -- Jack Palance -- said: "The performance doesn't win the Oscar...the CHARACTER does."
And Cliff Booth is a great character...friendly, loyal, content with his fate in life, helpful...but ready to unleash (for fun with Bruce Lee, for keeps with the Mansons) if pushed.
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