Rantings of a convert...

Rating: 5/10 (6 February 2005)

I had watched this film two times, and seen nothing in it but a vast display of gratuitous violence (for its own sake). After talking with two very good friends of mine, I was pretty much ordered to watch it again - which I did. For about an hour after having watched the film, I had the same feeling that I had had the previous two times. But I was determined to try and find meaning in what seemed to be a big jumble, because it was impossible that such a cult had evolved around a meaningless film.
I started reading more and more critical reviews about the film, some of which contained little hints which helped my structure a basic understanding of the movie. For example, the contents of the briefcase (in connection with the code being '666' was something that I had not thought about connecting to the fact that Marsellus has a band-aid on the back of his head. Has he sold his soul to the devil? Though by myself I did not recognise a prevalent theme, I can recognise now that this film has some elements that talk about redemption. Vincent Vega, who chooses not to believe in miracles and in divine intervention - is killed, whereas the implication is that Jules is redeemed after acknowledging the miracle and also 'shepherding' the 'weak' (Pumpkin and Honey-Bunny) 'through the valley of darkness' (see Ezekiel 25.17).
The viewing of this film is somewhat disturbing, and is worthless for people who are not willing to put vast amounts of effort into understanding it. I love criticising literature in this way, and I am generally able to understand basic frameworks easily, but this film was a big challenge. Unless you are willing to 'suffer' through this movie a few times, I would not suggest watching it - because it'd be a waste of your time.
I have given this movie a 5/10, because though it is very masterful, it may not appeal to certain people. This view is only strengthened by the great schism of view about this film.