Typical Tarantino

Rating: 4/10 (22 June 2005)

One day, Quentin Tarantino may learn that it simply isn't enough to consistently, repetitively, and egregiously recreate classic scenes from better films in order to pad his resume. That day's a long way off, though, and at least Jackie Brown avoids the stylistic overkill of Pulp Fiction. It also helps to have Pam Grier in its lead role--though Grier was never a good actress, she has matured admirably and holds her own throughout this bloated tribute to the black action genre. The film looks good, but of course is burdened by QT's typically horrendous, wise-cracking screenplay, written, pretentiously, 'for the screen', according to the end credits. And here's a question I'd like to see addressed: why is it Quentin feels the need to use the 'n' word over and over and over and over again in the first reel, but then drops it like a hot potato for the balance of the film? If Tarantino were a true 'wigga' he'd shamelessly promote this pejorative for the film's full 154 minute running time: instead it disappears and its mysterious and sudden absence leaves one with the distinct impression that the Weinsteins decided enough was enough after the first three dozen reiterations. I'm one person who never bought into the theory that the word was appropriate under ANY circumstances, and it's certainly offensive to have a hyperactive, naughty cinema schoolboy like QT use it the way he uses it: with reckless and careless abandon.
Other points of interest: Jackie Brown takes Martin Scorsese's reliance on pop music to the extreme, but of course QT lacks the subtle touch of prime Scorsese and slathers on too much too often. The film lacks an original score and, unsurprisingly, repackages cool old songs as hip accoutrements for Tarantino to pin onto his retro chic bowling shirt. That's obvious from scene 1, as Bobby Womack's sublime Across 110th Street is appropriated as Jackie Brown's theme song. It is, however, a treat to see Sid Haig in a straight role as a judge. Overall, though, I'm shocked that so many IMDb reviews imply that this lazy piece of film-making is somehow 'underrated' when it's racked up a plus 7 score from IMDb voters. Hopefully my '4' will help bring a tiny sliver of balance to the force.