Pulp Fiction Movie Review

Owen Silker

15^th September 2014

Pulp Fiction Movie Review

Quentin Tarantino, a name known throughout the entertainment business for delivering some of the greatest films in the past 30 years. His films form an attachment with you and creates a new mind set in which you view your life as meaningless realizing you will never be able to think up these unearthly, creative, bloody but beautiful ideas that the mind of Tarantino manifests. the gory no holds barred manor in which he writes and directs his art is displayed in most of his work however one film in particular shows off Tarantino’s  skill like no other, Pulp Fiction.

Name another film that captures the lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits that then intertwines to create one of the greatest stories ever told, no that’s right, I didn’t think you could. From the word go this film takes you through the lives of these characters one at a time as they slowly merge into one story. It’s this structure Tarantino has chosen that for me gives this movie its well-deserved Oscar; nobody had witnessed this style of writing and creativity before and so it took audiences around the world by storm. Along with the structure is the overall storyline, Roger Avary co-wrote Pulp Fiction with Tarantino and I can certainly say the chemistry between them must have been mind blowing in order for a film like this to be written and produced as it was back in ’94, the level of detail in the writing and the passion shown by each actor is something Tarantino is best for, getting the upmost out of his cast. Each written part is exceptionally written and performed, this is definitely summed up by Samuel Jackson and John Travolta’s paramount scene ‘Ezekial 25:17’.

This brings me to the cast. The late 80’s early 90’s saw Bruce Willis’ rise to fame. ‘Die Hard’ put his name up there with the best and Quentin pounced at the opportunity to have Willis as one of his leading roles, Butch. His aggressive hard man style made a big impact on the movie however the film critics of the world did not recognize this, as he was not even nominated for an award for his apparent ‘average’ acting. Two actors however that where noticed and in global style where the Oscar nominated Samuel Jackson The Highest-Grossing Actor of All Time and the Oscar nominated John Travolta. Two of the greatest actors of our time combined to create one of the greatest twosomes in film history. There onscreen chemistry is enviously, a marvel and individually they’re something to be admired.

Despite the films dark storyline and unexpected jaw dropping moments,t here is a certain black humor. The scene I mentioned earlier in the review demonstrates this comedy element profoundly, ‘Say what again I dare you, I double dare you’. It’s this comedy element that Tarantino incorporates that spices up the writing and gives a different meaning to all the chaos within the film. 

Movies nowadays focus solely on the acting, writing, producing etc. however one thing that Pulp Fiction is famous for in the entertainment world is the soundtrack.  Now you may believe a soundtrack is not important but when it accompanies a MTV Movie Award winning segment for ‘best dance sequence’ between Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) and Vincent Vega (John Travolta) it is pretty important. From the instantly recognizable Dick Dales, ‘Misirlou’ taken from the world famous opening scene of Pulp Fiction to ‘You Never Can Tell’ the Chuck Berry number accompanying John Travolta’s signature dance you get the feel that Quentin’s musical background adds to the beauty of this film.

Pulp Fiction, without it the film industry wouldn’t be the same. Quentin Tarantino, without him screen writing, producing and the creative mindset of a film genius could not have been explored and learnt from thus forging the film business today. As an audience to Film we owe a lot to Pulp Fiction, this work of art changed the film business forever and so I believe that Pulp Fiction is in fact the greatest Film to have ever hit the screen and for that I give it a rating of 10/10. If you wish to be taken on a rollercoaster ride through the lives of criminals in an order that will play with your brain and show you how good Tarantino really is then I would certainly recommend this film, if not then there is a wide array of other pieces Quentin has Directed; ‘Inglorious Basterds’, ‘Kill Bill’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ just to name a few. Pulp Fiction, best Film of all time.