Following his successful directorial debut, Quentin Tarantino delivers us the one and only… Pulp Fiction (1994). Now most of the things I write here, you most likely have heard before because DUH, IT’S PULP FICTION! Not only is this film considered one of Tarantino’s bests, not only is this film considered one of the greatest films of all time, and not only will this film influence budding filmmakers for decades to come (myself included). This was the film that revived John Travolta’s career!
Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta star as Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega in the non-linear narrative that threw me for a whirl when I first watched it at 13, yelling, “WHAT IS GOING ON?” Now probably 20 and some odd watches later, I could never understand how I was ever confused (not really). The film follows the chronicles of several different crime stories in the city of Los Angeles involving: a mob boss known as Marcellus Wallace (Ving Rhames), the wife of the boss, Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman), a double-crossing boxer with a hit on his head, Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), an estranged burglary couple coined as “Pumpkin” and “Honey Bunny” (Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer), and of course Vincent and Jules. The timelines of these characters intertwine, skip around, weave in and out, (SPOILERS) and even show some characters being murdered in one timeline as their living timeline is shown moments later. Filled with pop culture references, noteworthy motifs, and homages to other cinema, Quentin Tarantino creates a mind-blowing viewing experience with Pulp Fiction. This movie lives in the core of the “Tarantino genre” and is at the base of his self-created, cinematic universe. The film went on to earn six Academy Award nominees and one win for “Best Original Screenplay” making this the director’s first Oscar win… with his second movie. Its influence continues to live and breathe, stamping Tarantino’s career for a lifetime.
Now it would be silly for me to go on an attempt to say more or critique Pulp Fiction, due to the fact that Quentin has created such a quintessential mark on film history forever with this film. However, the moments of confusion that transition into frustration because of the nature of the non-linear format should be noted. Nevertheless, if you give it one chance, it is all worth it as Tarantino ties it all together with one final scene…something we learn to love and admire from the director.
Story/Plot – 20/20 Direction – 20/20 Acting - 20/20
Cinematography – 20/20 Score/Soundtrack – 20/20
Overall: 100/100
The Founder of @HennionProductions,
Matthew Hennion