PULP FICTION
Written and Directed by Quentin Taratino
It's a little hard to write a capsule on Pulp Fiction, as it is composed of several loosely connected stories tied together and cannot be described with minimal amount of words. The first story line is about a couple of professional hitmen (played by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson) retrieving an important suitcase for their boss while killing a couple of young thugs who stole it. It goes on to follow the romantic relationship between the boss' new wife (Uma Therman) and Travolta. It contains a very cute dancing sequences and hilarious dialogues as well as two subtle and fine performances.
Another episode involves an on-his-way-to-retirement boxer (Bruce Willis) pulling a trick on Travolta's hitman's boss for the sake of both money and pride. His addventure quickly turns dark and bizzare, but he finally gets to ride into the sunset -- debt free -- with his little French girlfriend, thanks to his father's watch. It is, in my opinion, the weakest part of the whole film, because it does not feel too original comparing to the rest of the movie. The problem is that the plot twists take more priority over *situations*, which is what Tarantino really excels in, and the story, however strange it is, feels familiar and over-the-top.
The third chapter is called "The Bonnie Situation," in which the story goes back to trace the two hitmen after the retrieval of the suitcase. Taratino wrote himself a hilarious small role, although he proves again he cannot act. Just as funny is Harvey Kietel, playing a meticulous man that helps to solve the eternal problem of how to get rid of a bloody dead body. The ending completes a full circle to resolve the restaurant robbery that is described in the very beginning of the film.
This is Taratino's more refined and sophisticated work comparing to his first effort "Reservoir Dogs." It bares his trademark of slightly absurd dialogues in the most unlikely situations, such as a lengthy discussion about foot massage before a killing takes place. They are so unreal, funny and witty that, after a while, they kind of grow on me. It's a treat for the audience's ears. There are numerous "blocks" of dialogues or monologues that are worth chewing on. Except for unusual conversations, Tarantino is best at handle a "situation" of conflicts and complexity and the characters within the situation. The non-linear narrative and slightly off-centered characters are all interesting and neat. The cinematography reminds me of some black-and-white films from the 40s and 50s (although I'm terribly ignorant of old movies) in which the characters move within a frame while the camera is held steady. The shots are multi-layered that interesting things are displayed simultaneously both in the front and in the background. Things are all cool and fun. However, I was not entirely impressed with the film for it was not too far beyond cleverness, until the finale.
The ending of the restaurant robbery is the best part of Pulp Fiction, which literally transformed the whole film to a higher level. The true jewel is Samuel L. Jackson's conversation about faith, revelation and redemption. His "you approach this shit the wrong way" speech feels more persuasive and convincing than any self-conscious religious talk in "Contact". His "walk the earth" intention even reaches beyond pure christianity and shares a touch with Zen Buddism and Taoism. Finally, Jackson's gunman becomes a preacher to talk a couple of small robbers out of their robbery completely blows me away. Like the ending of "The Usual Suspect," it takes the film from ingenuity to profoundness that is neither pretentious nor shallow. I was truly surprised. It was a priceless scene and Jackson's performance delivers every drop of juice in the script. I don't see why he did not get nearly as much attention as Travolta did,(Maybe he's not a good-looking white male actor who's adored by everyone in the business?) but Jackson's presence is truly special. Just for the last half hour, it is worth the price to see "Pulp Fiction."
On my personal scale of ratings, Pulp Fiction gets an A-.
jun
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