When viewing Pulp Fiction for the first time, the first scene will leave you scratching your head. You see Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in suits talking about how a quarter pounder from McDonald's is called a "Royale with cheese" in France. They get guns out of their trunk and then you realize that they are hit men. When I saw this movie for the first time, I thought it was the most bizarre thing I had ever seen. We follow two hit men having casual humorous conversations right before they go kill a few guys. It makes no sense. But that's what makes Pulp Fiction--its dialogue.
Pulp Fiction is quite possibly the most quotable movie of all time. Samuel L. Jackson's character (Jules) is one of my favorite movie characters because of his quotes. I quote Jules on a daily basis. My favorite scene comes at the beginning of the film when Jules is pulling off the first hit. While interrogating his nervous victim, he says things like, "Say what again! Say what one more goddamn time. I dare you. I double dare you motherfucker!" and, "Do I look like a bitch? Then why you tryin' to fuck me like a bitch?" I could go on and on with around 25 quotes from this movie, but I digress.
If someone were to ask me what Tarantino movie most defines his film style, I would tell them Pulp Fiction. For someone to make a film with virtually no plot and get so much critical acclaim speaks volumes. Famous film critic Roger Ebert said that he thought Pulp Fiction was, "the most influential movie of the 90's." Pretty much the only thing this movie has going for it is its dialogue, but that is not an insult. The writing is so good it can carry 2 and a half hours of screen time.
Pulp Fiction has an all star cast as well. Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, and Harvey Keitel all have major roles so there is never a dull moment. My friends and I watch this movie every year after the Tennessee/Alabama football game to lighten the mood following a tough loss. It's the perfect antidote.
I will warn first time viewers though. I wasn't a huge fan after the first time I watched it. I felt this way because I didn't really grasp what the movie was. I didn't know what happened in the 2 and a half hours of watching. So naturally, I decided to watch it again. There had to be some reason why so many people obsess over this movie. I watched it again and everything clicked. Every scene is memorable. So if you watch this movie for the first time and do not like it, please don't give up on it. Watch it again.
This was my favorite post that I have read thus far. Luke wrote about one the greatest movies out, and one of the movies that I quote all the time. He touches on the fact that there is never a dull moment. He also touches on the fact that their is no plot in the movie, yet it is still magnificent. These were both perfect description of what I personally think. Quentin Tarantino makes this movie out of chronological order, which is also another great touch to it. The dialogue and quotes are what make the movie and was a great topic in my opinion to write about.
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