Pulp Fiction; it's big, flashy, nasty, violent and tremendous fun.

Rating: 9/10 (17 June 2002)

I'm not sure that it's at all socially redeeming, but a rousing good time can be had by virtually everyone. Pulp is certainly easier to take than Natural Born Killers, which was also big, flashy, nasty and violent. It has more heart, though some may find it excessive, profane, misogynistic and/or racist. Whatever you think, Pulp Fiction won't bore you. It is an intricately structured work that employs a very large cast. Working on a big canvas, Tarantino's weaving of plot lines and numerous characters has a subtlety reminiscent of Robert Altman, though he has a bluntness that Joel Silver would envy. At a long 149 minutes, it all moves along quite nicely, though sometimes the author (Tarantino) seems to enjoying nothing more than hearing himself talk. The marvelous cast has a field day with Tarantino's ramblings, and there are many standouts. Christopher Walken has only one scene, but it is a showstopper. The Timex was hidden where? John Travolta, as a hit man who can dance a wicked twist, does his best work. Samuel L. Jackson, with a curly Mod Squad hairdo, is outstanding as Travolta's partner in crime. Harvey Keitel has a brief but funny cameo as a "cleaner." Mr. Clean specializes in ultramessy (bloody) situations that need a professional touch. Even Bruce Willis is great as Butch, a thick-skulled boxer on the run for not taking a prearranged fall. See it.