Well Worth Your Time

Rating: Null/10 (2 August 2004)

"Jackie Brown" is different. With this film, Quentin Tarantino takes a half-step back from his own distinctive style to adapt a novel by his hero and obvious influence, Elmore Leonard. It's true that "Jackie Brown" is one of the more overlooked films on Tarantino's luminous CV. It is a comparatively quieter work than the director's other, more explosive, films. "Jackie Brown" even unfolds in (nearly) linear fashion. Be that as it may, this is one funny, richly detailed, and memorable crime story.
Pam Grier shines in the title role, imbuing Jackie with great depth, humanity, and strength. Grier shares a fine onscreen chemistry with Robert Forster, who is excellent in his role as a smitten bail bondsmen. The rest of the cast, including a villainous Samuel L. Jackson, contribute well. Robert Deniro and Bridget Fonda make a very funny - if unlikely - comic duo.
Tarantino wasn't looking to top "Pulp Fiction" here. He set out to create a stylish and enjoyable movie, and succeeded.