***A big number deserves a big Film to Review***
A Film that is very iconic. A Film that won many Awards. A Film that got a standing ovation at Cannes.
So why don't I like it?
This is Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino's 2nd Film and arguably his most successful one. The Writer-Director went over to Europe, partook in the local delights (it rhymes with hugs) and filled a notebook (or seven) with story ideas.
After Reservoir Dogs did so well, he got more clout, more money and a big opportunity. This one was going to be a make or break for him.
He's been making Film whenever he felt like for the last 30 years, so I guess it worked out.
To see why I'm not a fan, however, read on...
The Film is about Hitmen/Go-fors Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield going to retrieve an item for their Boss- Marsellus Wallace.
They shoot two of the men and...
We now follow a different Story.
How about a brief aside about this Boxer named Butch (Bruce Willis) who takes a bribe from Wallace.
We'll cut back to him later for an entire Story about him.
Just keep waiting for the rest of that first Story.
The most famous part of the Film involves Travolta and Wallace's Wife- Uma Thurman- hanging out at a '50s Diner and dancing.
The dance is iconic, but 24 pages of rambling Tarantino dialog are what you have to live through before it.
As part of the Willis Story, we get this completely random Flashback.
Christopher Walken appears as a guy who gives a watch to young Butch. It was stored in a dark place that rhymes with 'his bass.'
This explains why the watch is important...but, it is still random AF.
Butch's Story involves him actually winning his fight (not shown) and running off with the money.
His exit is delayed and he ends up with Wallace in the Basement of a Pawn Shop.
It's famous...but, again, it is random AF.
We finally get to see the end of the story of Jules and Vincent after about 90 minutes or so.
We see a sudden death (another one), a small role for Harvey Keitel, Tarantino himself saying the 'N-word' 4x and they end up at the Diner from the beginning proper.
The Robbers we saw first are now back. Yep, that part was happening later...or earlier.
Look- time is a relative thing, especially here.
The Film ends with a redemption arc for Jules, but we also already know that Vincent dies later, so...hurray?
Is this Film worthy of its reputation?
Most people say 'Yes.'
I get why. If you view the Film segments on their own, they are mostly quite good. Some of them are paced terribly- like the Travolta/Thurman Diner Scene- and others go in strange directions- the Butch/Wallace Story.
Like many 'greatest of all time Films,' most people don't actually watch the whole Film in one sitting. That or if they did, it was 20+ years ago.
The reputation is reinforced over and over again until the actual Film doesn't matter.
I liked many parts of this.
Jackson, for one, earned his Oscar nomination. Travolta was good too.
The Finales of most of the Stories are memorable, whether it is for a good reason or a bad one.
In summary, I get why people love it.
For me, however, it is too long, it didn't need to be shown out of order and it has all of Tarantino's vices.
I'm not going to 'do the dance' here and tell you that I love it if I don't.
Next up, let's look at a classic John Carpenter Film. Let me make up for lost time by watching it now.
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