A True Gem

Rating: 8/10 (16 July 2001)

Pulp Fiction is not another alternative film or a cult classic, but an experience in detecting what truth can be gleaned from each situation in our lives and dispelling all that is not real. It is a quest to find what each of us wants, needs, and desires. Character development is covered in multiple layers and each character evolves within the film, making it difficult to capture all of the subtle nuances in one viewing. The defining mark of this film is the use of extremely real characters surrounded by absurd life situations. This is in high contrast to the majority of filmmaking in Hollywood, which seeks to place hollow shells in very spectacular or realistic environs. Each person met seems like someone you know. Their manner, speech, or thoughts never betray them as empty husks contrived to fill space in a film. The use of vignettes is masterful and adds to the importance of each scene and to the scope of each characters life and their interdependence with one another. The film does contain severe violence, copious explicatives, heavy drug themes and an explicit rape scene. A good film to watch with a group of people, leading to discussion afterward. What was in the briefcase?