Beautifully Directed. Filled with Symbolism.

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2014)

Summary
This review contains **SPOILERS**
Kill bill Volume 1's plot can be summated simply as an assassin (Uma Thurman) who wanted to taste a life of normality. But unfortunately for Uma, she never quite developed the means to taste it. The desire was there and all the pieces fell nearly into the right place, but she just wasn't cut out for it. In a rash attempt for normalcy Uma breaks free from the team of assassins and sets out for marriage instead. Bill, who raised Uma from relatively innocent to world-class assassin, doesn't quite approve of the marriage. Bill orders the remaining of the assassins to murder her and anyone else during Uma's wedding ceremony. Bill takes special attention to finish the bride himself and somehow fails in the process after firing a bullet straight into Uma's skull; ultimately leaving her in a comatose state for six months. Upon regaining consciousness Uma sets out for revenge to murder the remaining assassins and ultimately Bill.
Theme From a young age Uma was trained to be a human killing machine. She was trained by Bill day in and day out teaching her everything he knew. Uma looked up to Bill and saw him as a father figure of sorts, which is something she lacked before meeting Bill. From the day Bill met Uma, or simply and often referred to as The Bride Bill has always thought of her as a natural born killer. While The Bride was trained to be the absolute and best killer on the face of the planet, at least with a sword, she no less has a conscience that struggles with who she is. She whole heartily rejects the notion of being a natural born killer, something Bill seemingly repeats to The Bride. She makes a heartfelt attempt to bail on the assassin lifestyle to seek a life or normality. But even then The Bride struggles with what and who she is: a killer, or a woman- a bride?
Motif and Texture It's said that a sword represents the soul of the person who carries it. Throughout the film a sword, a Japanese Katana is displayed almost as a trademark for the film. The sword carries symbolic significance in the film as it represents The Bride's dualistic nature as two sides of the blade. One side of the blade is dulled while the other is sharp, carrying its trademark sine wave pattern engraved down the sharp edge of the blade. The sharp end of the blade represents The Bride's mind; sharp and keen, but dangerous and quick to kill. The duller side represents the smooth consistency of the life she wishes to obtain through marriage. The sword being a blade represents the dualistic nature of The Bride and also her internal struggle of who she is: a killer, or a bride?