Now one of the more popular examples of this genre is Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Being a "Tarantino virgin" (I'll admit it), all I really knew about his stuff was that they were not for, um, innocent souls, so to speak.
Pulp Fiction follows hit men Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) and gangster wife Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman). They all have different lives, so how are they all connected? Simple: Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames).
The highlight of Pulp Fiction is clearly Tarantino's writing, which rightfully earned an Oscar. Some of the dialogue gets up there with Hammett and Chandler for noirish feel and memorability. Some is typical Tarantino (f-bombs galore, anyone?), but if it wasn't for the dialogue the movie would been crap.
Now I know that everyone has Pulp Fiction wedged somewhere in their top 100, but probably not for me. I mean, I liked it very much but I didn't love it like everyone else (a re-watch is in my future as some of you may say). Still, it's awesome nonetheless.
My Rating: *****
Your right about the dialogue, it's really so crucial to the film's effect. I don't know if it would have been crap without it, as I've always dug the retro look and feel and much of the acting as well, but there's no doubting that it would have been a significantly lesser movie.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I like it very much but it's nowhere near one of my favorite movies ever, and as far as Tarantino goes I probably like Inglourious Basterds, Jackie Brown and possibly even Death Proof more. But it's an anointed classic for a reason, and I still enjoy popping it in every few years or so. It definitely holds up in repeated viewings.
I wouldn't say that Pulp Fiction is in the top 100 for me either, but there are things about it aside from the dialogue that are great. The use and non-use of visuals in the pawn shop scene make for masterful cinema.
ReplyDeleteI love this film to bits. Definitely in my top 100, though I like Kill Bill better.
ReplyDeleteThe dialogue is wonderful, but there are many other things I love about this film...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely one of my favourites. Mainly because it's the film that triggered my love for films.
Good review!
it's definitely a very good film. it's different from the old movies from the past, but i think it helped define a new form of filmmmaking
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with your last passage. The film rocks, but I wouldn't include it in my top 100.
ReplyDeleteI'd put it in my top 100, but it's not for everyone. Tarantino's foot fetish still freaks me out a bit. Glad you finally got around to seeing it!
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