Monday, August 27, 2007

Movie 8: Pulp Fiction


Pulp Fiction (1994) by Quentin Tarantino
starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman & Bruce Willis


In a nutshell: It's good, duh


Content: There's really not a whole lot to say about this film that hasn't already been said. QT changed movies with this film and inspired countless young filmmakers to make crappy knockoffs and worthy imitations of its style.

It is an interesting film in that it is difficult to describe why it is so good...you just know that it is. It has no major flaws. I don't really buy Travolta's oscar nomination. He was fantastic in scenes with Uma, but I didn't always believe his language when with Jules. The other acting weak point was QT himself as Jimmy. I have to admit that the first time I saw this movie, I didn't know it was him, but once you know, it's kind of distracting. And why did we have to give Kathy Griffin a one line cameo?? When I saw her, it was like having a bucket of cold water poured on me.

Some non-linear storytelling is necessary (see Memento). Some is done just to be pretentious (see 21 Grams). QT uses it without any real need, and it works beautifully. Once again, I can't really describe why, but I will try. The non-linear order keeps us focused on the characters moreso than on the stories. Although there are plenty of opportunities for us to grow to like Vincent and we root for him to revive Mia, we don't have a chance to mourn his death because he hadn't been involved with the story for a while when he was killed, and because we immediately go back to another story when he was alive and well (or as well as somebody with chunks of skull and brain in their hair could be). Lead characters from one storyline play tiny bit parts in other stories, but those parts are enough to remind us that the characters are still there.

Other thoughts:

Of course the songs used are selected flawlessly.

The prominence of bathrooms in this film is totally odd, yet they appear at the turning point of almost every story.

Uma and Sam deserved their Oscar noms. Walken, Keitel, Willis & Rhames were each right for their parts.

Lots of cool extended shots of characters entering new areas or moving between rooms.

Great scenes: in the pawn shop basement, Walken's story, in Brett's apartment, etc.

It almost goes without saying that it is so easy to get sucked into the characters' conversations that have nothing to do with the actual plot, thanks to QT's oddball dialogue.

I noticed in the taxi scene with Bruce that the green screen images that make it look like they are driving were done very poorly and may even have been black and white. I'm sure this was a conscious choice, knowing QT. He would have to tell you why he made that choice though. I am sure it was a homage to something.

I would say that my personal favorite mini-story is Vincent & Mia. That was the one that really had my heart pumping, even though I already knew Mia's fate.

I probably haven't provided anyone with a whole lot of new insight on Pulp Fiction, but that's ok because it's really easy to find loads of opinions on this movie on the web. It's definitely a modern classic.

Zed's dead, baby!

Rolling Rankings:
1. Pulp Fiction (#8)
2. Sideways (#1)
3. Napoleon Dynamite (#5)
4. Raising Arizona (#2)
5. Grave of the Fireflies (#4)
6. Dr. No (#7)
7. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (#3)
8. Heist (#6)

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