An action film with a human touch and people you care about

Rating: Null/10 (11 November 2001)

I found 'Reservoir Dogs' quite a powerful movie, if lacking in light and shade but I did find 'Pulp Fiction' too extreme. Jackie Brown may not appeal to those who like fast moving action all the time but to those who like things a little more subtle with more emphasis on character this is definitely more than a quick fix.
Robert Forster as Max Cherry stood out among a host of colourful and volatile characters, there was a reflective and silent quality about the acting, you knew there was more going on behind those eyes than he ever expressed. It was almost as though Jackie Brown was his opposite in character, a force of nature, a risk taker and someone passionate about going for what she believed in. However, I do think that the chemistry worked well because they both shared a vulnerable, even sensitive side and this was movingly portrayed.
Samuel L Jackson as Ordell Robbie added a nice touch of laid back humour to the proceedings even if it was tinged with menace. This was a nice foil for Max's serious approach. Michael Keaton as Ray Nicolette provided a lot of nervous energy almost as if the part could hardly contain him and the dark edge which appears to be a trademark of his acting.
The only criticism I would have is that Tarrantino did tend to fade scenes out and cut the action at crucial moments (the scene of Max and Jackie drinking wine together for instance), almost as if he has an itchy trigger finger himself and is anxious to shoot the next scene. He focuses on Jackie Brown's wall and a picture of two children, never explaining who they are although it is Max who notices and he keeps everything under control. Why wasn't there some kind of celebration after the success of the plan at the end, we switch from Ordell dead on the floor to three days later! It's almost as if the director hates too much detail.
Still, minor frustrations apart this is a perceptive film about real people with real frailties rather than simple stereotypes.