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Pulp Fiction (1994)
Rating: 7
Quentin Tarantino
Main Players: Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman
Story: Two gangsters, their boss, a boxer and the boss's wife.
Comment: The movie that introduced Tarantino to the world. What draws people to it is the fact that it is so far from mainstream Hollywood movies - it doesn't even have a score, just song after song after song. But what songs! The fact that Tarantino chops-up the story into 4 parts and presents it to us in the order of; 1, 3, 4, 2; makes the movie that much more attractive. We are actually forced to use our heads a bit. But this isn't a movie that aims to make you think. It's main purpose is to entertain - and it does so wonderfully.
By no means is this movie for family viewing, nor is it even appropriate for people who are easily offended. But if you can look past all that, there is much artistry in the movie. From the wonderful songs, the great acting, the first-class dialogue and the pacing. You do get the feeling that you're watching a bad B-grade movie, but the "look" was intentional. The people inhabiting this "world" are seamy. But they are intelligent; that's what makes this movie a good watch. The characters TELL you why they are and the arguments are compelling. You begin to forgive them for their faults ... until they kill another person; but by then you are so attached to them, you forgive them for that too.
One scene from the movie, which must surely go down in cinematic history, must be that of "Jules" (one of the gangsters) quoting the Bible, with his own colouring - mind you, and ... well, you've just got to see it.
What's wrong with the movie? Not much. A major fault is that it sometimes lingers a bit too long on some scene and they are boring during the first viewing. But watch them a second time and you'd understand the story better. Tarantino corrected this problem in Jackie Brown - they movie didn't dwell too long on any one scene.
I cannot peg this show into any genre, simply because it seeks not to "go with the flow". It fervently wants to stand on its own, separate from all the rest. There's comedy, violence, dancing, and commentaries on ... well, life. It's just ... a movie ... a story being told.
Review: Watch it. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how movies CAN be made.
Review of Tarantino's Jackie Brown.