Awful movie, despite the clever script

Rating: 3/10 (15 May 2000)

Movies can either entertain or edify; ideally, they do both. Pulp Fiction failed to entertain me. Perhaps that's just me. I grant it's funny in places, but I couldn't manage laughter in the middle of a homosexual rape, a gangland hit, a drug overdose, a kid getting his head blown off, etc. I suppose I must be abnormal in some way.
Does it edify? It makes many references to other films; I don't think that counts. It shows us (several times) how crucial timing can be in visiting the restroom. No, I don't think that's it either. Some say it's about the "redemption" of the Jackson and Willis characters. Whatever redemption may have taken place seems very superficial and unconvincing.
On the positive side, several of the performances were brilliant. The screenplay is undeniably clever. But that's not enough to make me want to recommend this movie to someone.