an homage to an earlier genre

Rating: 8/10 (2 October 2005)

Quentin Tarantino does a magnificent job with "Jackie Brown," a rich film that hearkens back to the black exploitation films like "Foxy Brown" that gave Pam Grier, the star of this film, her start.
Though the plot of "Jackie Brown" is wonderful, the characters make this film worth watching. Pam Grier, an actress of remarkable presence and special beauty, plays a flight attendant caught between gun merchant Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), for whom she transports money, and two ambitious detectives portrayed by Michael Keaton and Mark Dugas. She decides to go for a con of her own and enlists the aid of her bail bondsman (Robert Forster). Forster hails from my home town, and he is one who knows a lot about career ups and downs. He first made a splash in "Reflections in a Golden Eye," and when the reviews came out, he was doing construction work outside the newspaper office. The review was thrown to him. He was nominated for an Oscar for "Jackie Brown," playing a man at a crossroads. He's marvelous as a hard-working 56-year-old man who's seen it all, made his life choices, accepted what he has, and then falls hard for Grier.
There are so many layers to the film and performances. The tone is laid back, natural, and conversational, and most of the acting is very underplayed. Jackson is great portraying an absolute horror show who bails people out so he can kill them before they give him up. DeNiro has only a few lines as Jackson's apparently easygoing, take it as it comes partner (and what comes at him is Bridget Fonda), shrugging and smoking pot through most of the film. Towards the end, he nearly steals the movie as his nerves creep up on him. It is an absolutely brilliant performance. Keaton is perfect as a hyper detective. But it's Grier, as a powerful, street-smart woman determined that she has had her last bad break, who captivates as Jackie Brown. The part is unusual, in that it's a lead role for a 44-year-old woman.
Tarantino gives us the usual scenes shown from various characters' points of view, the violence you don't see coming, and a great sound track. Though not considered his best film, Jackie Brown is interesting, fun, and bittersweet. And hey, he gave some very good actors a second place in the sun.