18/03/2012: Pulp Fiction [1994]

The third in my Quentin Tarantino weekend was of course, Pulp Fiction. Ranking at # 4 on IMDB, and at the top of hundreds of other lists as well, Pulp Fiction ranks amongst one of the greatest movies of all time. I wholeheartedly agree, and while not everyone may love it, everyone should see this cinematic milestone.






Pulp Fiction is Tarantino's second time in the director's chair, and after the successes of Reservoir Dogs and True Romance, it was possible he might stumble. However, that would only be if Tarantino was your average filmmaker, instead Tarantino brought us Pulp Fiction, a movie that changed the history of cinema and rewrote the rules. It is not the first time movies have come along and done so, but every decade or so it takes a movie like Pulp Fiction to break the mold and bring about change.

 Most of the major ideas that Pulp Fiction brought into cinema are evident in many movies these days.  One of it's biggest elements was of course the non-linear story. While we get this often nowadays, (Memento) it was quite the revolutionary idea back in 1994. Tarantino might literally have taken the story in Pulp Fiction, sliced it into little segments and re-ordered it. The effect: a movie that can bring about major plot points early in the movie, and yet still not reveal all of it's cards until the end.

"Man, I shot Marvin in the Face!"

 The key to Pulp Fictions ability to be non-linear is the plot itself. Pulp Fiction switches between a number of characters and storylines, seemingly unrelated, and not necessarily in chronological order. One of my favourite things about Pulp Fiction is that it skips nothing. Most movies, characters jump from one important scene to the next, no one ever watches the elevator ride, or drive to the next place. Pulp Fiction however, shows you the entire elevator ride, and no it is not a waste of time. Filled with funny conversations, these scenes all help to develop the character as well as the plot, also adding much needed humor. As at two and a half hours Pulp Fiction by no means rushes things.

The movies different storylines are all very original, and although they all start out simply enough, they all become a little crazy in due time. As usual, Tarantino uses violence to shock the audience, even throwing in a very surprising scene involving Bruce Willis, as he chooses between a bat, chainsaw, hammer and katana, all of which are pulp culture references to other movies. If you've seen Pulp Fiction you will no doubt know which scene I am referring to. Of course one of the most memorable scenes is the story of Vincent and Mia's date. From the pick-up to the dancing to the hectic ending it is one hell of a night.

Jackrabbit Slim's is a hopping place.

While, Pulp Fiction relies a little less on dialogue than Reservoir Dogs, mainly because it had a budget that allowed it to go places other than a warehouse, Pulp Fiction is still all about the character stories. Every line is important, revealing all the clues to piece things together. The keys to good character is good lines, but more importantly great actors and as always Tarantino has assembled quite the cast. John Travolta plays Vincent Vega (brother to Mr. Blonde) and the Grease stars career was revitalizing his career. Samuel L. Jackson stars alongside Travolta and his performance is flawless. Uma Thurmon won the coveted role as Mia Wallace, Tim Roth and Harvey Keitel return, as well as Tarantino himself playing a small role as Jimmie. Together the cast gives us all knockout performances.

Jackson's hair is actually a wig, Travolta's, not so much.

All I can really say is that, if you have not seen Pulp Fiction, you must. It is the most influential movie of it's generation, and a cinematic leap that should not be missed.

Link:
Pulp Fiction IMDB