Reviewer's Rating 5 out of 5 Ìý User Rating 5 out of 5
Pulp Fiction (1994)
18

In a decade of films increasingly dominated by formula Hollywood offerings, "Pulp Fiction" appeared refreshingly different. Since its 1994 release, it has inspired many imitators but even today, it's still strikingly bold and remains to be eclipsed, even by its creator Quentin Tarantino.

As with any landmark movie, more has been written about it than would surely seem healthy. The type of wild and hysterical ranting that has surrounded this picture can be a little off-putting. But it's hard to over sell a movie that is so supremely confident in writing and direction. Despite an almost audience-annihilating run time of nearly two and a half-hours, it is consistently absorbing.

Director and co-writer Quentin Tarantino is courteous enough to credit the viewer with some intelligence. As in his previous "Reservoir Dogs", he and writer Roger Avary create a web of events and characters that ultimately all play parts of a larger story. This time the tale is far more sprawling and complex, but it also rewards and satisfies.

Events kick off in a café with Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer holding up the staff and customers. They're hardly as scary though as hitmen John Travolta and the bible-quoting Samuel L Jackson whom appear in the next scene. They form the thread of the movie that allows for a delicious selection of related stories to unravel, with Christopher Walken and a measured Bruce Willis putting in fine performances.

The entire cast exudes the confidence of the script and sell their often brutally witty dialogue well. The superb packaging of cool music and luscious cinematography completes the deal. And the ribbon that ties it all together is a delightfully clever conclusion.

Read a review of the DVD.

End Credits

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Writer: Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary

Stars: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria De Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Bruce Willis

Genre: Thriller, Drama

Original: 1994

DVD: 1 November 1999

Country: USA

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