Modern cinema just does not get any more entertaining than this! Quentin Tarantino burst onto the scene in 1992 with "Reservoir Dogs," an excellent tough-guy crime thriller, and he returned in 1994 with his best work to date, "Pulp Fiction." Tarantino assembled one of the most impressive casts of the 90s and got every actor to give one of his or her best performances to date. With "Pulp Fiction," Tarantino can has been attributed with creating, or at least re-inventing, a whole new genre of non-linear film.
There are three principle stories in "Pulp Fiction," and each of them interlocks with the next through pure genius. The first story is about Pumpkin (Tim Roth - "Reservoir Dogs," "Captives") and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer - "Freeway," "Prophecy") and their spur of the moment robbery of a diner. Their story is quickly interrupted when they bring out their guns, and we are introduced to the second, and perhaps, main story. This one is lead by Vincent Vega (John Travolta - "Saturday Night Fever," "Phenomenon," "Face/Off") and Jules (Samuel L. Jackson - "Eve's Bayou," "A Time To Kill"). Vincent and Jules are a pair of hit men who we first meet on their way to a job assigned to them by their mob boss, Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames - "Out of Sight," "Entrapment"). Marsellus has also asked Vincent to take his wife, Mia (Uma Thurman - "Gattaca"), out on the town and show her a good time. The third story is of a prize-fighter, Butch (Bruce Willis - "Color of Night"), who is paid by Marsellus to throw a fight.
The dialogue in "Pulp Fiction" is first rate, possibly the most entertaining dialogue of any film from the 90s. Discussions such as Vincent and Jules' about what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris and Jules' infatuation with quoting his favorite passage from the Bible will have you laughing out loud. It's not just the dialogue itself that is so hilarious, but it is how it is delivered and by whom that makes it classic. Tarantino is an expert at infusing dialogue that is not always necessary to the plot but that adds so much to it nonetheless.
"Pulp Fiction" is full of famous faces, and each actor makes perfect work of his or her role. Travolta and Jackson are really the main stars of the film, and their characters are the most memorable of either's career. Travolta's Vincent Vega is the reserved but smooth hit man who seems to always walk out of the restroom to encounter shocking situations. Jackson's Jules is Vincent's methodical, Bible-quoting partner who knows when to take charge of a situation and when to let other's take control. Aside from the rest of the leads mentioned above, there are numerous other small performances that produce memorable scenes. Christopher Walken is notable for appearing only in a flashback, but delivering an important and hilarious speech to a young Butch concerning his father's watch. Eric Stoltz is perfect as Vincent's uptight drug dealer who gets to deliver some of the films best lines during his short role. Quentin Tarentino and Harvey Keitel deliver funny, on-the-mark performances when they show up near the end of the film to help get Vincent and Jules out of a bloody heap of trouble.
Since "Pulp Fiction" arrived and ignited such a positive response, many directors have tried to emulate Tarantino's non-linear formula and create similar pictures. The only one of these that has succeeded is Doug Liman's "Go," a "Tarantinoesque," high-octane comedy about one crazy night. "Go" tells three separate stories of this night, each of which weaves together beautifully in the end. Although "Go" has been very well received by those who have discovered it, it has not amassed an audience near as large as "Pulp Fiction."
Tarantino's masterpiece is important and influential for a number of reasons. It helped create, or at least re-invent a whole new genre of non-linear films. It has inspired a number of imitators as mentioned above. It reignited John Travolta's film career. And it blasted Tarantino to enormous popularity and influence in today's cinema. On top of all of this, it's an excellent, tremendously entertaining film that can be enjoyed over and over again.
"Pulp Fiction" is very violent and extremely graphic, but if you look close enough, you will find positive messages underneath all the grittiness. Although it is not for the narrow minded or weak at heart, I give "Pulp Fiction" my highest recommendation to all who are willing to take the ride.
Rated R for strong language, graphic violence, drug use, and a rape scene
My Top Ten list of the 90's:
1) American History X
2) Schindler's List
3) Shawshank Redemption
4) American Beauty 5) Pulp Fiction
6) Fargo
7) Goodfellas
8) Forrest Gump
9) Primal Fear
10) Bound
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