Overlong, stretched, too much

Rating: 5/10 (29 March 2010)

From popular director Tarantino comes this overlong adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel "Rum Punch". It appears Tarantino has attempted to make the film as clever and as in-depth as the original material. Yet in trying to include so much, he has stretched this pic too far.
Far too much time is spent on characterisation (probably the entire first hour). The plot therefore, is neglected until it is too late for Tarantino to gain our interest. By the time he starts compiling the narrative, we have tuned out. Our director was too hung up on his amazing characters and what they had to say (a Tarantino weakness which served him well in "Pulp Fiction"), and his introductions went on too long.
Tarantino fave Samuel L. Jackson is his usual enigmatic self, but is in serious danger of being typecast. Richard Forster's subtle performance is far more effective, and Pam Grier is solid. Good support from Robert DeNiro and Bridget Fonda.
The funky soundtrack helped, but Tarantino's over indulgence did not. Could have been more impacting with twenty minutes cut out and more focus on the plot.
Saturday, March 6, 1999 - Video