Pulp Fiction

Rating: 9/10 (9 May 2014)

With no doubt Pulp Fiction is a modern day classic, and there is good reason why there is so much hype around the movie. The story can be a little confusing at times to follow due to the fact that there is two stories happening at once, but when you get the flow of the movie down it is a very enjoyable to watch. The acting is phenomenal and the writing is amazing, it is no surprise that the movie won an Oscar for it's original screenplay. The dialogue is smart and witty through-out the movie, it also uses silences to make scenes more powerful and intense. The conversations feel real as if these people, even though ridiculous, could exist. The editing in this movie is also very strong, one scene in which I find it to be great is the overdose and adrenaline shot scene. Vincent is speeding down the highway with Mia who is having an overdose, he is frantically calling the drug dealer, the camera then switches to the drug dealer, the shot is slow and doesn't cut to anything, giving the effect that he is in no rush to pick up his phone, and is very unaware for what is about to happen. Once Vincent gets to the house we hear the car screech down the road, the camera follows the drug dealer out and the camera isn't quick or steady but instead shaky as if we are running behind following him outside. This adds to the chaos of the scene. Once they have Mia laying down the camera switches between the characters faces, really letting us the panic the two guys are having and the two girls don't seem nearly as worked up. Right before the shot is given we are given zoomed shots of Vincent's face and the drug dealers face again, there is almost no sound, all of this just intensifies the scene and builds up suspense. This scene is serious and yet entertaining because of the banter between the two men. Pulp Fiction is a great movie in many ways and isn't for the faint of hearts, Tarantino is very innovative and uses editing, cinematography and sound to really capture the mise-en-scene of this film.