When you think of the influential directors of the 1990s, Quentin Tarantino jumps to the top of many people’s lists. He blew the stage with his feature debut. Mad Dogsand then completely changed how audiences perceived the film in its sequel, Pulp Fictionconsidered by many to be a masterpiece. For this third movie Jackie BrownTarantino flips the script by adapting the novel Rum punch and paying homage to the black exploitation films of the 1970s by shifting its focus to a middle-aged black working woman as its protagonist. Pam Grier plays a major role and is joined by fellow heavyweights Robert Forster, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert DeNiroand Michael Keaton.
Pam Grier, who made a name for herself in popular black exploitation films such as Foxy Brown and coffee, plays Jackie Brown, a flight attendant who smuggles money for an arms dealer. Once she is caught with cocaine and arrested, she comes up with a plan to trick the agents who arrested her and the arms dealer she works for with the help of a slave. Significantly, Tarantino chose Grier for the lead role, who performs with charisma and confidence in each of her scenes. As the agents and Ordell play their games against each other, it is Jackie who holds all the cards and walks away as the true winner in the end. Grier’s performance Jackie Brown helped revitalize her career and earned her a SAG Award nomination.
Starring alongside Pam Grier, Robert Forster plays the role of Max Cherry, a slave who befriends and works with Jackie. The way he can convey emotions with just a glance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, Samuel L. Jackson’s Robbie Ordell is one of the funniest and most colorful characters he portrayed in a Tarantino film. His high-profile performance shows how, despite his best efforts, he struggles to maintain control and eliminate pending cases in a way that is magnetizing. Ordell Robbie is more intimidating than Jules Winnfield.
The story itself is a slow burn, relying heavily on performances to keep the audience intrigued as it approaches the climactic money exchange. Though Jackie Brown has a more traditional narrative than his previous work, Pulp Fiction, Tarantino still uses creative techniques that allow narrative revelations to have more impact. For example, the final money exchange is shown from three different angles, which shows how Jackie and Max can pull Nicolette, played by Michael Keaton, and Ordell. It’s a clever revelation, but in some ways it feels like a step down from the innovative timeline tap dance in Pulp Fiction.
What drives this story the most is the budding romance between Jackie and Max. From the second he sees her and “Natural high” from Heliotrope plays without dietetics, Max is taken with Jackie even after he spent time in prison. The true bond that forms between them is respect and admiration. Grier and Forster convey the growing desire between them, but also the loss that comes from their farewell at the end of the film. After Ordell is killed and she leaves with the money, Jackie decides to take the money and go to Madrid. Although Max confesses to her that he was ready to end his life on bail, he stays there, unable to go with her. Their farewell is tinged with anxiety and “should have been, could have been, should have been”.
For a movie released in the late 1990s. Jackie Brown holds up relatively well. Once again, this is a crime story set in Los Angeles filled with references to the O.J. Simpson trial, the most popular television series of the 1990s. What didn’t get old was the start of Tarantino’s overuse of the “n-word”, for which he really came under fire when the film was originally released. Instead of sounding authentic to Ordell’s vocabulary, it seems more unfounded than necessary.
Something else that seems not enough Jackie Brown this is an image of Ordell’s network of women. Melanie being played Bridget Fonda, seen as an immature, incredulous girl who throws tantrums at every opportunity; her only goals seem to be to get high and try to recruit Louis, played by Robert De Niro, to betray his partner. Sheronda being played LisaGay Hamilton, one of Ordell’s girlfriends who first came to Los Angeles, but was taken advantage of by the man. Even Jackie herself, the main character who ends the film with complete autonomy, is still treated like a pawn between the agents and Ordell. Jackie Brown may not be as inspiring as the movie thinks.
Something that Quentin Tarantino continues to do well in Jackie Brown is the soundtrack to the film. He has a great ear when it comes to making soundtracks and Jackie Brown not an exception. The exchange of rock music for soul and R&B allows Jackie Brown stand out. Artists love Randy Crawford, Delphonixand Bobby Womack and the World fill the movie with sultry, flowing sounds. In particular, The Defonics song “Did I (Blow Your Mind This Time)” acts as a theme song for Jackie when Max sees her and his affection for her grows. In addition, Pam Grier’s own song “Long Time Woman” from her film is heard in the film. Big doll house.
In Tarantino’s filmography Jackie Brown usually goes unnoticed and gets lost in the shuffling. Despite being one of his more mature films, it relies less on the violent action for which he has become known. However, the performances are just as juicy as his dialogue, even showing new sides to actors we’ve known for years; for example, De Niro plays a marijuana-loving partner in crime who plays a more subtle role than we’ve seen from him. Building on these performances and a sweet love story, Jackie Brown stands out from his filmography and deserves high praise.
Grade: B+
Source: Collider
