Thursday, September 12, 2013

Jackie Brown (1997)

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Writers: Elmore Leonard, Quentin Tarantino

Composer: QT didn't use original music at this time

Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Michael Bowen, Christ Tucker, LisaGay Hamilton, Tommy 'Tiny' Lister, Hattie Winston, Sid Haig

More info: IMDb

Tagline: This Christmas, Santa's Got A Brand New Bag

Plot: 44 year old flight attendant Jackie Brown gets caught with gun dealer Ordell Robbie's money and to get the ATF off her back she sets up Ordell with her new friend, a bail bondsman named Max Cherry. But what the ATF doesn't know, is that they are part of her wild plan to get Ordell's half million dollars and get off scott free. However, she has to do it under the noses of both Ordell, the ATF man and a local cop. What she doesn't know is Ordell's blonde beach bunny wants the money for herself as does Ordell's ex-con friend.



My rating: 9/10

Will I watch it again? Naturally.

Many folks were left disappointed after this, Tarantino's follow-up picture to PULP FICTION (1994).  I remember seeing it opening weekend in the theater and loving it.  PF is a tough act to follow but Tarantino made a great fucking movie in JACKIE.  The performances are outstanding.  Jackson should be in every one of T's movies.  Hands down.  Pam Grier was great.  Michael Keaton was great. Michael Bowen was great.  For my money it's Robert Forster who worked for me (it's a given that Jackson comes off best).  The subtleties in his performance are so genuine.  That final scene with he and Grier until the screen goes black are magical.  Great choices in music and a fun crime picture.  Oh, and De Niro plays a great dimwit criminal.  I just got back seeing it on the big screen for the first time since '97 and the print was appropriately dirty and used.  Loved it.

HOLY SHIT!!!  OK, so I saw this at Tarantino's theater in L.A. (The New Beverly Cinema) and after the flick the man himself got up on the stage and did an unanounced Q&A for easily a half hour.  It was fucking awesome!!!

1 comment:

  1. If you ask me which Tarantino film I like the most, I usually name his latest film as my favorite and then put "Jackie Brown" in second place. It's such a perfect film, definitely in my top 10 all-time favorites. I don't understand how anyone could be disappointed with it. It's like a fine wine, it gets better with age.

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