Title – Pulp Fiction (1994)

Director – Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained)

Cast – Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames, Bruce Willis, Amanda Plummer, Harvey Keitel, Rosanna Arquette

Plot – The lives of various LA citizens intersect as they discuss the important issues of life from Quarter Pounders through to God’s higher purpose for us all. At the heart of this criss-crossing tale lays a mysterious briefcase, its contents seducing all those that lay eyes on its glories.

“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men”

Review by Eddie on 8/09/2016

For a film that’s not about much or anything in particular at all, it’s incredible just how much of a mark the at the time largely unknown Quentin Tarantino’s film has made on the industry with line upon line of memorable and endlessly quotable dialogue, it’s perfectly pitched dark humour and a collection of characters that’ve made their way into popular culture from bible quoting hitman right through to a leather clad gimp.

Pulp Fiction is well and truly a one of a kind movie, a film born out of the imagination of Tarantino and his co-writer Roger Avary that could never be imitated or matched no matter how many times the imitators would try (and there have been many) and as time continues to ever so surely tick on from its original 1994 release that would see the film not only win the Canne’s Film Festival’s Palme d’Or but be nominated for 7 Academy Awards in which it won Tarantino his first ever Oscar (for Best Original Screenplay), it’s a testament to the everlasting value of the film that it continues to be such a joy to watch these 22 years later.

The 154 minute film still wizzes by on the back of its unending supply of quick witted jokes and bizarre circumstances, while its eclectic group of characters who sometimes run across each other’s paths for better or worse are well and truly as fun as they could’ve ever been, whether they be likeable or not. Pulp Fiction really did once and for all set in concreate the talents of Tarantino as the writer and director of actors, as his venture to the sun bleached streets of LA resurrected and redefined a number of careers with its success.

It’s been well spoken about for a number of years at just how important Pulp Fiction was to the at the time stagnating careers of John Travolta (who got to dance his way back into stardom), Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis but Tarantino showcased his chops as a leader of talent by injecting this wild tale with memorable turns (however brief) from the likes of Uma Thurman, Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel, Ving Rhames and even Christopher Walken. It’s a star-studded cast no doubt, but Tarantino handles each one of them perfectly and they show unbridled happiness getting to deliver his and Avary’s home run hitting script right out of the park.

As a movie fan you’ve likely seen Pulp Fiction numerous times (I know I have) and there’s very little that could be said in an argument against its joys as a cinematic trip like no other. A film joy ride you’ll be taking for years to come, Pulp Fiction is deserving of its classic regard and spot on many a film fans top 10 lists. Not too bad at all for a film with nothing but an endlessly mysterious briefcase tying it all together.

5 bare feet out of 5