A Royale with Cheese

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2018)

Pulp Fiction is an American crime movie in which Jules Winnfield, played by Samuel L. Jackson, and Vincent Vega, by John Travolta, are two hitmen out to retrieve a stolen briefcase from their employer, a mob boss named Marsellus Wallace, played by Ving Rhames. In a connecting story, Wallace also asks Vega to take his wife Uma Thurman's character, Mia, out while he is out of town, and Bruce Willis' Butch Coolidge, an aging boxer, is paid by Wallace to lose his fight. The series of seemingly unrelated stories are interwoven in a film full of twists, violence, and redemption. Appropriately so, the film's title is a direct reference to pulp magazines popular during the first half of the 20th century, known for their dialogue and lurid scenes. The film focuses on the conversations between characters, which lead to each character's own development, and is infamous for its extensive use of violence. Although Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction may confuse some viewers due to the film's nonlinear organization and lack of clear protagonists, it is one of the most influential movies of all time for its memorable dialogue and soundtrack.
Since its debut in 1994, Pulp Fiction has been considered one of the most highly commended films of all time. In just over two years, the movie won 64 times out of the 69 times it was nominated for an award. These awards and nominations ranged from Oscars for "Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen" and a Cannes Palme d'or to Polish awards for "Best Foreign Film" and Brit awards for "Best Soundtrack." IMDB rates this film as within the top 10 rated movies of all time. With many more nominations and wins for various awards worldwide, it is difficult not to be curious about the publicity around the movie.
However, there are many people who can't seem to understand the film's success. According to Adam G., a critic on IMDB, Pulp Fiction was one of Tarantino's "insane, self-indulgent, and bloated" works. In reality, Tarantino's "insanity" is what led to the film's success. Tarantino created a final product that somehow remained coherent while retaining all the creative, impulsive decisions he made while directing the film. If Pulp Fiction was directed in the same way every other movie has been and is, it definitely wouldn't be the popular and beloved film it is to this day.
One of the most polarizing aspects of Pulp Fiction is the dialogue. Adam, alongside many other unhappy viewers, argued that Tarantino let the movie run too long because he "was in love with the sound of his own voice." Although some parts of digression sound like they should have been cut out of the final film, many parts of dialogue are full of pop culture references and observations on human behavior, making each tangent philosophical and unique. This a far contrast to the generic black-and-white conversations in every other action film. Especially between Vega and Winnfield, there is a sense of realism that gets lost in the production of big-screen movies. The conversations between them hold something theatrical while sounding natural at the same time. It's a combination which demands the audience's attention. Tarantino's famed dialogue actually has led to some of the most memorable lines from movies of all time. A conversation about burgers across the globe may seem like something that should have been left out of a crime movie, but some users of the Internet used this scene to portray Brett Kavanaugh's hearing. In the midst of controversy over Kavanaugh being accused of sexual assault, the Internet turned him into a fearful character in a well-known Pulp Fiction scene, allowing for others to express their opinions regarding the case. Not only has this "useless" scene become iconic in modern day culture, it has also become a way for relevant information to be relayed.
Like many others who left negative reviews under Pulp Fiction, Adam also argued that the movie ultimately lacked a plot. While the larger meaning of the movie remains unclear, the film definitely has a story to tell. Tarantino's unique play on the gangster crime film is seen by how he uses details to drive the movie, even if it digresses from the typical film's plot development. As much as I'd recommend watching the movie, I'd also strongly recommend watching it for the second time since the movie will be more easily understood and enjoyed after understanding the story in chronological order. This is not to say that this film would be better off organized less abstractly. In fact, Tarantino's use of chapters and flashbacks piece together each scene in an original and creative way. By rewatching the movie, the sense of familiarity to the characters and story will bring out new details overlooked the first time watched and give viewers a changed perception of the film. To some, the film is about power, explaining the character's actions and motives and the mystery which surrounds Marsellus Wallace. Like abstract art, this film has piqued the creativity and curiosity of many viewers, leading to numerous interpretations and fan theories.
In addition to all of the visual aspects of the film, Pulp Fiction included a soundtrack that matched the endearing amount of 'coolness' which the film itself possessed. Tarantino again boldly took the path untaken by using music that wasn't particularly popular at the time. In an interview, Tarantino stated that he was completely against the 'cheap' idea of using music to create a sense of period. Instead, he used a variety of obscure tunes to define what the next music trends would be. The movie was largely built around 60's surf music, and has become synonymous with tracks like "Misirlou." As a result of this, Tarantino successfully brought a resurgence of surf music into the 90s pop culture. The soundtrack is also filled with many other genres of music other than surf rock. For example, when Marcellus Wallace is focused on in a scene, Tarantino uses funk and soul music to create a mood of powerful calmness that Wallace possesses. As a result of the influence that Pulp Fiction's soundtrack had on pop culture, the film was also able to boast numerous awards from MTV, the Brit awards, and beyond.
Although some may find the non-chronological organization of Pulp Fiction and the lack of distinguishment between the 'good guys' and 'bad guys' confusing, it is one of the most influential movies to date, being referenced in pop culture and growing in popularity over 10 years after its debut. With many awards, hidden details, and a plot which keeps an audience on their toes, the film seems to automatically draw in audiences. The most outstanding attributes to this movie include its dialogue and the soundtrack. Many people can agree that this is a film worth your time, securing a spot as one of the best movies of all time.