#6 Pulp Fiction

In Summary

Grab yourself a big Kahuna burger and a tasty beverage, it's time for Pulp Fiction.

Set in a world of charismatic and eloquent criminals, Pulp Fiction is a tale of coincidence. It is about how small details can lead to people finding themselves in the right place at the right time - as well as the wrong place at the wrong time.

A sprawling and non-chronological storyline drags absurd characters into absurd situations. Just when it feels as if the plot has gotten itself into a corner it cannot get out of, something even more bizarre happens to drag it out.

It is the snappy dialogue that provides the momentum for the film. From extended conversations about fast food, Bible verse, to just general bickering, Quentin Tarantino has clearly taken great delight in creating this set of hyper-real characters and gives each one of them every opportunity to say their piece.

Lurching from the mundane to the ridiculous, Pulp Fiction still somehow manages to pull its disparate elements into a cohesive final package.

A Memorable Quote

Well, there's this passage I've got memorized that sort of fits this occasion. Ezekiel 25:17. "The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of the evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper, and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!"

Things You May Not Know

• There are 165 f-bombs in the film.
• The film is considered a prequel to Reservoir Dogs - The Wolf is Mr White, Vincent is the brother of Mr Blonde.
• The fictional TV show, Fox Force Five, inspired the plot for Tarantino’s later film, Kill Bill.

One of the Greatest Of All Time?
While there are elements of self-indulgence across the two-and-a-half hour running time, the quality of acting and writing makes the moments where the plot isn't carried forward a joy to watch nonetheless. The only bum note is Tarantino's choice to cast himself in a film littered with acting heavyweights.

Pulp Fiction is Tarantino in his element. There's the typical snappy dialogue, the classic film references, the gorey violence. This is an entertaining ride through the mind of Quentin Tarantino.