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Quentin Tarantino's 1994 indie film Pulp Fiction might be accused of cliché. It may be roasted for its racist and homophobic jokes. It could be slated for its lurid, blood-squirting violence. It might even be hit by the pope for its incessant use of Ezekiel 25:17 to rationalise murder. And although it is guilty of all the above charges, it is culpable of none.
(If you're feeling nostalgic, watch clips from the movie.)
The thing that sets Pulp Fiction apart from all the other typically nihilist films (not counting the fact that it's a Tarantino film) is its postmodern vibe. The mock intensity of the acting and events in the film doesn't allow you to take things seriously, to be offended or to over analyse Tarantino’s "intentions". It is the quintessential cool because it steals from iconic American pop culture, laughs at it and spits it out.
Part of the fun is the puzzle of pop culture allusions. References to and critiques of other films are constantly made. The scene in which Jules (John Travolta) takes Mia (Uma Thurman) to Jack Rabbit Slims, for example, takes the mickey out of Travolta himself for his part in Grease (1978) – what with the hot red vintage car, the 1950's music and the twist. It's exactly that use of old material, formulaic characters and age old storylines that run off-centre that make this film exceptional. Its self reflexivity and its criticism of other films set the stage for a new film trend to follow (some took it too far – Scary Movie).
The non-linear narrative structure raises the stakes. You find yourself listening to every word and watching every flicker on the screen trying to figure the film out. The story starts and ends in the middle of its own chronology, meaning that for those of us without IQ levels to brag about, there are holes in the story right until the last scene, when everything falls into place at once. And then we can't wait to watch it again!
The plot follows three protagonists – hitmen Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, and boxer Butch Coolidge. Although their stories are connected, they focus on very different incidents and give insight (through noteworthy dialogue and monologue) into the worlds of each character. These three storylines are divided into seven scenes each introduced by an inter-title. This, combined with the extremely stylised look and feel as well as the interaction it encourages from the audience, has created a cult fan base for Pulp Fiction.
Based on the popular mid-1920's hard boiled crime novels and pulp magazines (hence the title), the film makes use of punch-drunk dialogue, dark humour and striking violence. It was shot on 50 ASA filmstock (for the film buffs out there) meaning the image is radiant and looks like it came from the 1950s Technicolour era.
And if that's not enough, there's the soundtrack. A potent punch of surf music, pop, rock 'n roll and soul, that's become a hit among younger audiences worldwide.
And, in conclusion: "Trying to forget something as intriguing as this would be an exercise in futility"…"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go home and have a heart attack."
