LA's Crime Characters

Rating: 8/10 (6 October 2009)

When this movie released in 1994 it totally redefined the gangster movie genre forever. They can't be a single soul had not seen this movie. By far it became a classic and received cult status and was given many academy awards at the Oscars. Quentin Tarantino became a popular director and the youth were inspired from his movies. However with this movie in particular he caught everyone's attention. Many movies later became inspired from this. Doug Liman's GO and SEVEN DAYS IN THE VALEEY were speculated with pulp fiction style. Hence why many directors were influenced by this movie and attempted to copy its style. Guy Rithie was very inspired by this movie. This was very evident in 'SNATCH'. This movie was a lot like a homage to the gangster genre. Influances of french and Asian cinema are clearly seem in the visuals. It also contained many moments that leads the viewer to watch on in anticipation as to what will happen next. It is an intriguing adventure none the less. This is the genre that I had wished Tarantino had stayed with. 'Reservoir dogs' and 'Jackie brown' were also were also some of his finest works. However his association with Robert Rodriguez led him on to the path of making vampire and zombie movies, which was not really to my taste. Im sure most of his fans may have adored them.
**************************CONTAINS SPOILERS*********************** Many of Tarantino's movies have been shot in LA. So there has been no better way to portray the underworld realistically. We are given an insight in to a group of characters, some which are directly and indirectly related to the crime world. The movie is more like a collection of 6 stories collaborated in to one movie. One segment moves to the next. They have a linear pattern but they are shown in a non chronological order. Two hit men 'jackson and travolta' recover a suitcase and kill a boy accidentally in their car. They require quick assistance to to deal with the situation. Later on they go to a diner where the place will be robbed by a couple. We are then introduced to a black gangster's white wife that one of the hit men has to spend an evening with. He saves her life from a drug overdose. Afterwards a boxer turns his back on the gangster he had taken payment from but enters in to a situation whereby he is forgiven. These stories all sum up a 2 day period in LA. *************END OF Spoilers******************************* Upon viewing the movie one will notice that there is not really a plot to bite on. Instead we are witnesses to a number of situations that arise in coincidently and how the characters will pull themselves out of it. We are shown how members of the underworld operate and that they are very organised people. The movie is filled with witty dialogues and scenes of a violent nature. However I have seen korean movies that have depicted more. The movie is high on style and substance but is very character driven. I know LA is a very frightening city to live in and even innocent people can be hurt in gang wars. The movie clearly shows this. A lot of concentration and patience is require in some of scenes, diner scenes especially. Due to the fact they are very conversational. Many scenes are long stretched whereby a little editing would of helped the film. There is no background music in the movie at all. Tarantino instead incorporated music tracks in to many of the scenes to add to the atmosphere. It did not take away any quality what so ever surprisingly. A good example of this was when Butch was going to his apartment. Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, and Samuel L Jackson without a doubt give one of their best performances. However I could not understand what led Rosanna Arquette to do this role. I felt she was wasted.
All is said this can surely be an exciting and enjoyable ride for anyone who understands and is a fan of gangster movies. It is nearly on line with 'the godfather'.