PULP FICTION
A film review by Chad Polenz
Copyright 1997 Chad Polenz
**** (out of 4 = excellent) 1994, R, 154 minutes [2 hours, 34 minutes] [crime/satire] starring: John Travolta (Vincent Vega), Samuel L. Jackson (Jules Winfield), Bruce Willis (Butch Coolidge), Uma Thurman (Mia Wallace), produced by Lawrence Bender, written by Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, directed by Quentin Tarantino.
"Pulp Fiction" is such a landmark film it's difficult to describe the many nuances and offbeat elements that make it great. It's greatness lies in the fact that right from the get-go it establishes an entirely different, yet completely plausible reality.
The title refers to those old cheap magazines not unlike comic books that tell stories of "lurid subject matter," and that is exactly what we get here. >From the basic plots and stories, to the characters' dialogue, to the individual props, and the way they all work together to create such an uncanny story.
As the film opens we see a seemingly normal couple having breakfast in a coffee shop. We realize they are robbers complaining about their "job" and it's funny not only because of the dialogue, but because it's relatable even though the characters are not. They decide to rob the restaurant and the tone of the film is set from this short scene alone.
The film then cuts to a different setting as we again eavesdrop on another strange conversation, this time between two men describing the funny differences between Europe and America. We later learn their names are Vincent (Travolta) and Jules (Jackson) and they are hitmen about to go to "work" themselves. But this is no ordinary crime film, and what we get is so offbeat, "pulp" is really the only way to describe it.
As Vincent and Jules walk to their destination they start an interesting conversation about their mob boss and his wife. This subject then leads to a hilarious discussion about the differences between foot massages and oral sex. Although the dialogue is laced with profanity and the overall basis of the conversation (and the film as a whole) is taboo in nature, the way everything is depicted is genius because it's so original and fascinating.
Since this film is a modern day pulp magazine it is not a linear story, but a collection of at least three different ones that come together as a whole. Tarantino's script is not so much concerned with overcoming a conflict as it is showing how the characters affect each other.
After Vincent and Jules do their work, we then follow Vincent as he takes his boss's wife, Mia (Thurman), out to dinner. Their night out becomes something very bizarre, yet totally believable all along. It flirts with disaster but the brilliant satirical mood keeps it funny and interesting, and (gasp!) also starts to convey a theme.
Basically, the film is about salvation and justice where you'd least expect to find it. Vincent and Mia narrowly escape death, and a similar theme of redemption is portrayed when Butch Coolidge (Willis), a struggling boxer, disobeys the mob boss Marselius Wallace (Ving Rhames), and through a series of undescribable events, the two must work together to save themselves from a common, twisted enemy.
The ending itself comes full circle back to the beginning which could be and probably is reflective of some kind of spiritual philosophy of "The Circle of Life."
Everything that could be great about "Pulp Fiction" is: the acting; the story; the offbeat, funny dialogue; and especially the film's ability to be so complex and profound yet so interesting and easy to follow.
Please visit Chad'z Movie Page @ http://members.aol.com/ChadPolenz
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