Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino, 1994)

Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino, 1994) is the second film in Tarantino’s filmography, and is heralded by many as his magnum opus. The film is a hybrid of many genres, namely crime and comedy, and features an eclectic cast including the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Bruce Willis, and Uma Thurman.

The film displays several storylines in a nonlinear fashion now typical of Tarantino’s oeuvre. Cleverly building upon pre-conceived cliches of the crime genre, Pulp Fiction presents archetypal characters – such as charismatic hitmen, a prideful boxer, and a stoic mob boss – in a new and unique narrative format.

A large portion of the dialogue featured throughout the film appears to be superfluous, as it doesn’t seem to drive the narrative forward in any meaningful direction. Considerable amounts of the film are dedicated to monologues centring around seemingly ‘mundane’ conversational topics, including: burgers, bible verses, and foot massages. In actuality, this dialogue richly characterises the caricatures being portrayed – implying subtextual ideas throughout. Through this dialogue, the viewer is able to relate to each of the characters on a deeper, parasocial level. This distinctive style of dialogue also reinforces Tarantino as an auteur, being a cornerstone of his filmography.

The film additionally features very strong and graphic violence, a taboo that was seldom seen within the mainstream of cinema at the time. Being another common feature of Tarantino’s body of work, the extreme violence is presented in a humorous manner, creating a sense of irony. An example of this can be seen during the infamous “I shot Marvin in the face!” scene, during which an intensely gruesome event is portrayed through a light-hearted lens.

Personally, Pulp Fiction is one of my all-time favourite films. The enchanting characters in tandem with the jumbled narrative structure creates a wholly unique experience. I love the intricately crafted dialogue and the sense of enthralment every scene produces, but if I had to pick a favourite it would be Vincent’s untimely death halfway through the film.

Overall, I would rate Pulp Fiction ★★★★★.