Day
172 Jackie
Brown [1997]
Screenplay Quentin Tarantino
Based on ‘Rum Punch’ by Elmore Leonard
Director Quentin Tarantino
Cinematography Guillermo Navarro
Music James
Newton Howard
Leads Pam
Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro, Michael Keaton, Robert Forster,
Bridget Fonda, Chris Tucker, Michael Bowen
Production A Band Apart, Mighty Mighty Afrodite
Productions, Lawrence Bender Productions
IMDb 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes 86%
I’m
not far off having seen all the films Tarantino has directed. I’m yet to see
his first although it was partially lost in a lab fire, My Best Friend’s Birthday,
and his collaborations with Rodriguez, Grindhouse and Four Rooms. I may
be able to safely say I’ve seen all his best ones as I didn’t particularly
enjoy the last collaboration between him and Rodriguez, From Dusk Till Dawn
(Day 40). Jackie Brown is the only film he has directed that is adapted
from a previous work, Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard. Although you’d be
excused for thinking it was a Tarantino original as it oozes his style, perhaps
without his uninhibited twists. Pam Grier gets the film title and leading role,
Bob De Niro is the big name and quirky supporting character, however for me
this film is all about Samuel L. Jackson. He plays arms dealer Ordell, a
good-time criminal, relaxed and humorous, but doesn’t fuck around when it comes
to his business. It’s a role made for Jackson, famous for his ‘Bad
Motherfucker’ role in Pulp, and he slides smoothly into it like Javier
Bardem into the villain’s role. I also liked Bridget Fonda’s head strong
stoner, Melanie. I can’t fail to mention Keaton and Bowen as special agents,
although they are simply a side note to the aforementioned characters. It’s
quintessential Tarantino. Character drives plot. Long conversational scenes that
often don’t affect the plot, but they inform the audience of what type of
person each character is, thus subconsciously explaining their subsequent
actions. Robert Forster was the weak link for me. He is a little too boring and
unassuming for me. I’m sure it was intended but it put me off. I’m highly excited
for Tarantino’s next one about the Manson murders and Jackie Brown again
proved to me that when he’s alone and in charge Tarantino can seemingly do no
wrong.
Acting 4 / 4
Writing 3.5 / 4
Cinematography 3.5 / 4
Music 3.5 / 4
HWF rating 3.5 / 4
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