Unlike other Tarantino film, better on second viewing

Rating: 7/10 (11 August 2006)

I first saw this movie on opening night and was somewhat disappointed. I think in retrospect that I was expecting too much the same thing I got from "Pulp Fiction". Specifically I was disappointed that Sam Jackson and Robert Deniro's characters were such small time criminals and just not "badass" enough. I thought it was kind of a waste of their talents. Thinking about it now, I realize why would you want to see Deniro and Jackson repeat previous performances? Tarantino did something new with them in this film and they both turned in very interesting performances that are better than the vast majority of their work in film since.
Just in general, I really think this is the best Tarantino film I've seen except "Reservoir Dogs". Why? Because the characters are more real and the plot/story is more focused. I love the performances he got out of Pam Grier and Robert Forster. Both of them are fantastic actors who really were wasted through most of the 80s and 90s until Quentin came along and basically rescued him, like he did for Travolta. Except Forster and Grier are way better than Travolta, and turn in excellent and nuanced performances here. The chemistry between them is perfect.
A few tangential comments. The music is good, as usual, the first time I saw it I felt it was a bit forced. But I realize now that it was part of the "verite" effect he was going after. Having the characters interact with the music makes the music seem a bit more obtrusive, but it also makes the film seem more real.
There is a lot of good character work in this film too. Keaton is great as a youngish cop, the "nice guy" in the routine. Fonda shines as a slutty stoner, the type of girl who makes fun of her boyfriend to his friends when he's not there, as if that would make them seem more appealing or sophisticated. In fact there is a very nice kind of "dovetailing" effect where you really don't notice the difference between the performances of the "stars" and the "character actors". The "stars" (Forster, Grier, Jackson) get to do basically just an expanded version of character work, and it makes for an even more seamless film than "Pulp Fiction" which at times feels bogged down by the weight of its stars.
All in all, a good story with good actors makes for a good film, if a bit slow in the end when we have to see the "heist" from multiple viewpoints despite its predictability.