The moment where Tarantino peaked

Rating: 10/10 (1 February 2014)

It almost goes without saying that Pulp Fiction was one of the most influential and iconic films of the 90's. In all honesty it probably was the very top film in this regard. I can still remember seeing it for the first time and being amazed. I had loved Quentin Tarantino's earlier Reservoir Dogs but thought he had upped the ante even higher with this movie. Seeing it again recently I have to say it remains an incredibly well made and entertaining bit of cinema. And even though I have enjoyed all of Tarantino's films since, there is no doubt in my mind that his three 90's crime films tower above all of his post millennium filmography. In those ones he seemed to integrate his obsession with pop cultural references into strong stories, as opposed to nowadays where his movie references have become so blatant and full on that they have become an actual handicap of sorts. Pulp Fiction is the movie where he best showcases his style in a movie that is consistently brilliant from start to finish.
It's essentially three stories entwined. All on the face of it standard crime cinema tales where something goes wrong but Tarantino focuses on unusual details that make them completely original. The chief aspect that differentiates them from others is his brilliant dialogue that is never afraid to go on non-plot related diversions in ways that utterly humanises the thuggish bad guys that populate his film. The script is full of pop cultural references, inventive profanity, witticisms and even many moments of wisdom. Tarantino's primary gift, and the one he will be remembered for, is his gift for dialogue. You get the impression that actors are instructed to deliver their lines word-for-word; this isn't a film that feels improvised in any way. On some very odd occasions this can result in some lines feeling a little forced but the pay-off is massive, as the script is quite simply genius in many ways. This great writing has created some excellent iconic characters. It doesn't do any harm either that the acting is top level throughout. Well, with the exception of Tarantino's cameo that is – he's pretty terrible and should really never act. But otherwise its quality all the way with standout turns from Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Walken and Uma Thurman. Jackson probably steals the show with the character Jules but Travolta is very impressive and convincing as Vincent Vega – you really believe he is a pretty nasty bit of work under the charm. Thurman and Willis play typical film-noir characters, namely the femme fatale and the boxer who throws the fight – both are excellent. While Keitel and Walken have cameo roles, with the former as the very memorable Mr Wolf, while the latter is in an extremely funny role as an ex-soldier who wore a watch up his butt.
So what's it all about? Well the title says it all really because this is an unashamed bit of pulp fiction but a wonderfully original presentation of it. Its influence is other movies such as Italian poliziotteschi and American film noir, with a huge post-modernist make-over. Films specifically referenced include The Italian Connection (a black and white gangster hit men are sent to sort a situation out) and Kiss Me Deadly (a plot revolves around a suitcase that when opened has a mysterious glow). It is essentially a crime-comedy, with a real focus on humour. This means that some of the strong violence is played simultaneously realistically but also for comic effect. While the staggered time-line is constructed for maximum impact. It is, for example, a pretty rare thing for a film to kill off a character (Vincent) and then go back in time a little to watch his exploits in another escapade. We know he is doomed but can't help but completely forget this fact. It's one of many reasons that this film stands out. One of the very best of the 90's and Tarantino's masterpiece.