Grier and Forster Shine in Tarantino's Flick

Rating: 10/10 (19 November 2005)

"Jackie Brown," which is Quentin Tarantino's 3rd flick, pays tribute to 70's blackploitation films, even using 70's queen Pam Grier in the title role.
Grier plays Jackie Brown, a 40-ish airline stewardess who works for a crappy airline service. She also runs money from Cabo to the states for Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), a shady dude that sells guns. She soon gets busted by ATF Agent Ray Nicollete (Michael Keaton). It seems that one of Ordell's associates, Beaumont (Chris Tucker)dropped her name to get out of an arrest of his own. Knowing that Ordell will kill her (Like he killed Beaumont after he bailed him out), Jackie uses her skills to outsmart him.
With the help of Max Cherry, the bail bondsman that picked her up from jail (Robert Forster), she plans on stealing Ordell's money (a total of $500,000)from under him and the feds. However, Ordell's girlfriend Melanie (Bridget Fonda)also wants the money, trying to get Ordell's friend Louis (Robert DeNiro)in on the deal. And so the game is on, with half a million dollars up for grabs.
Tarantino has created a great movie. Those familiar with blaxploitation and 70's movies will really get something out of it. All of the performances are great (And Jackson excellent as always). However, it is Grier and Forster who really shine. The scene in which Max is waiting at the jail to pick up Jackie is a prime example: As she walks toward him, fresh out of jail, you can see the exact moment when Max falls for her. And falls HARD. Tarantino's use of music is also key: Max plays "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time" over and over because he first heard it while having coffee with Jackie. A sure sign that Max is intrigued with her. By the end of the film, you want them to get together. They are just such a sweet couple! Even if you're not a Tarantino fan, you will still love this film. A must have.