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Jackie Brown

Rating

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Screenplay

Quentin Tarantino (Novel: Elmore Leonard)

Length

2h 34m

Starring

Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Michael Bowen, Chris Tucker, LisaGay Hamilton, Tommy ‘Tiny’ Lister Jr.), Hattie Winston, Sid Haig

MPAA Rating

R

Basic Plot

There’s half a million dollars at stake. What would you do to get it? In Jackie Brown, a illegal firearms merchant, his new associate, his dope-head girlfriend, an airline stewardess, a ATF agent, his cop crony and a bail bondsman all want the money, but who has the better plan to walk away with the jackpot?

Review

There’s not much one can say about the film without giving away plot points and you-must-see events. So, what else can we talk about? Lots of things come to mind. In Quentin Tarantino’s first directorial effort since his phenomenal success Pulp Fiction, he uses similar plot devices and camera shots to capture the stories of some very rich characters. His adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch isn’t without its flaws, a listless first hour slows the film down from being a top-notch movie. Tarantino’s use of multiple angles for the same scene to show different perspectives spread throughout a short period of time is similar to that in Pulp Fiction and isn’t new, but is still effective.

As for the performances? Well, its a superb ensemble that not only work well together, but work well alone. Robert De Niro doesn’t have a major part in the film like he’s used to, but still gives a fine performance as Louis, Ordell’s soon-to-be partner. Ordell is played by the generally pleasing Samuel L. Jackson. At time during the film I got tired of his ranting and wondered if he had much more range than his two characters in Pulp Fiction and this film. Bridget Fonda does a superb job as Melanie, Ordell’s pot-smoking sexual pal. Fonda has some of the most comedic scenes in the film and is a delight to watch, she’s graceful and talented. Robert Forster is Max Cherry bail bondsman who Ordell hires to get both Beaumont and Jackie Brown out of jail. His performance is one of the better ones, he’s subdued, but calculating.

Next we have Michael Keaton and Michael Bowen as the ATF agent and assisting cop, Ray Nicolet and Mark Dargus. Bowen is definitely the background to Keaton’s character and both are interesting to watch if not more so for Keaton than Bowen. Last, but certainly not least, is Pam Grier playing the sexy flight attendant and the film’s title character Jackie Brown. Queen of 70s blaxploitation films, Tarantino wrote the film specifically as a vehical for Miss Grier. Her talent far outdistances the rest of the cast and she is a delight to watch. Pam Grier has made such a wonderful comeback that we hope it won’t turn into the same as Travolta’s pandering, annoying career, but rather a bright and distinguished one.

Awards Prospects

Best Picture is unlikely, however a nomination for Pam Grier is highly likely. Samuel L. Jackson also has a good shot at Supporting Actor and Tarantino MIGHT get a director nod, but the latter is highly unlikely. Tarantino, however, WILL get a nomination for adapted screenplay and Film Editing is always a possibility.

Review Written

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