Pulp Fiction (1994) Review

 

This masterpiece of a film can be summed up in one sentence: Pulp Fiction is the very definition of the word “cool.” Quentin Tarantino weaves its stories into a tapestry, telling a tale across its nineties nostalgia trip. Jules and Vincent, played by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta, are hired goons for Marsellus Wallace, a Crime Boss dealing with guns, drugs, and gambling frauds. Set out in the beginning to simply do a job it ends up going south. Yet, how their story weaves into that of the films beginning, where Pumpkin, (played by Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny, (played by Amanda Plummer) set out to rob a Diner. Their paths colliding and their futures left unsure.

The dialogue in this film just screamed character. Each actor seeming unique and one of a kind yet fitting into the larger picture like a puzzle piece. Every character in the film was strong and could very well have taken the lead. From the likes of Jules, Vincent and Butch, a boxer who got on the wrong side of Wallace (played by Bruce Willis) to Trudi and Lance the drug dealers. Not to mention Mr. Wolf (played by Harvey Keitel). They all had their strengths and they all played off of them. Truly becoming believably lifelike.

Uma Thurman played Mia Wallice, the wife of said Crime Boss who spent her time in the film with Vincent. The chemistry between these two actors was electrifying. Literal sparks as they danced at Jack Rabbits Slim. However, the evening they shared together did not end well. The only positive coming out of it was tainted by the idea of “It could have been worse.”

Butch was supposed to take a dive. Having been paid by Wallice to do so in the fifth round he instead took matters into his own hands, winning that fight and enough money from it to flee the country with his girl, Fabienne, played by Maria de Medeiros. Before they could leave the country Butch crossed paths with Wallice and it was not a pleasant reunion. In the end, though, Butch saved the life of Wallice and because of this Wallice let him go. Free to leave providing that he never comes back again.

Jules and Vincent were faced with another problem before the day was over. The accidental shooting of Marvin left the inside of their car drenched in blood and brains. At the house of someone “sympathetic to their situation” Jimmie Dimmick (played by Quentin Tarantino himself) with the help of Mr. Wolf  are able to (somewhat) take care of it. Jules and Vincent they ditching the body and moving on like nothing had happened.

This film is a work of art. It is on a scale that few other movies can even dream of achieving. Tarantino plays a game with words. Telling a story more through the characters voices than their actions. This is something unique to Tarantino. It is a skill that he has mastered and it is a skill that he shows off. Very few can even come to his level.

10 out of 10