A dark Cinderella moment in "Inglourious Basterds"Denny, back again after dancing to Chicago this weekend. When Nathaniel was looking for suggestions to kick off Tarantino Week, I immediately suggested a piece (or pieces) called "Tarantino’s Toes," in honor of his position as the world’s foremost foot fetishist. I was half-joking, but the alliteration was simply too much to walk away from. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. How does one even begin to rank the many, many feet Tarantino has filmed? Does one go by the height of the arch? The length? The width?
… Sorry. I just had to run to the sink. I’m better now.
Actually, on re-watch, I found that, while they aren’t always plot devices, Tarantino does actually use feet to illuminate his themes and charact… Sorry. I just can’t take this seriously. We’re talking about FEET for frak’s sake! To wit, being as non-pervy as I possibly can, my completely arbitrary list of...
Tarantino’s Top Ten Toes
Honorable Mention: Mia’s foot massage in Pulp Fiction
We don’t actually see it onscreen, so I didn’t consider it eligible, but Jules’s monologue about the ultimately deadly foot massage that “Tony Rocky Horror” gave to Mia Wallace is pretty killer. That, according to Mia, the foot massage never even happened makes it even more intriguing.
10 O-Ren Ishii in Kill Bill, Vol. 1
They’re only glimpsed for a split second, but the sight of Lucy Liu’s O-Ren running down a table just before slicing off the head of the one member of the crime council who dissents to her new leadership in one swift, clean cut, is one of the film’s best surprises. And on repeat views, it only gets funnier.
more little piggies after the jump
09 Esmarelda Villalobos in Pulp Fiction
Angela Jones may have extremely limited screentime, and Esmarelda is probably too much of an enigma for her own good, but she drives barefoot, and that automatically makes her awesome. It’s little details like that which make you want to know a character better, even as it tells you so much about them.
08 Abernathy in Death Proof
If it’s good enough for Stuntman Mike, it’s good enough for me!
07 & 06 Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction
One of the most iconic scenes not just in Tarantino’s oeuvre, but in all of cinema. I’m sure much has been written about Uma Thurman and John Travolta twisting away to “You Never Can Tell” at Jackrabbit Silm’s, but I’m just here for the feet (this time). And what they do with those feet is pretty magical.
However, points are deducted for not having a true close-up and for Vega’s socks – apparently, Tarantino is not an equal-opportunity foot fetishist.
05 Melanie in Jackie Brown
Pure aesthetics for this one. Bridget Fonda really does have a nice pair of feet. And this shot is so well-composed (Hit Me With Your Best Shot, anyone?).
04 The Bride in Kill Bill, Vol. 2
For the sheer shock/ick factor of seeing poor Elle Driver’s eyeball squiching through Beatrix’s dirty toes. One of the more fascinatingly revolting images in Tarantino’s filmography.
03 Jungle Julia in Death Proof
Sidney Tamiia Poitier is scorching hot in Death Proof (and she looks pretty great, too). I wish she would get more/better work, because if this is any indication, she’s capable of greatness. Obviously, given the way the camera lovingly caresses her feet in just about every other scene, Quentin thought so too, and she reciprocated beautifully.
02 Bridget von Hammersmark, Inglorious Basterds
Because only a true movie star would have her foot cast in a high-heeled shoe. Bonus points for being part of one of the great hold-your-breath moments in Basterds when Bridget (Diane Kruger) is confronted by Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). If the shoe fits...
01 The Bride in Kill Bill, Vol. 1
Wiggle your big toe.”
Could it be any other at number one? Uma's is not only a nice toe, it’s the most narratively important toe in Tarantino’s filmography, perhaps even in the world’s filmography. I also love how the pink nail polish looks like it’s chipping away – it perfectly captures where Beatrix Kiddo has been, where she is, and where she’s going.
Would you wiggle the order about? Would you wear a cast with your high heels?
Do you recall anything in Django Unchained or Reservoir Dogs that deserves a place herein?