Review of Jackie Brown (1997) by Serge L — 20 Apr 2018

Jackie Brown is the 3rd film by writer/director Quentin Tarantno, it's based off the book "Rum Punch" by Elmore Leonard. Quentin once stated that "True Romance" was like a Elmore Leonard story he didn't write. Tarantino changed two keys things from the book, Jackie Brown was originally named Jackie Burke and she was white. I'm sure he changed more elements and probably some of the plot but he basically makes the movie he wanted.

Jackie Brown is a caper movie with a blaxploitation feel. It stars Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, & Robert Deniro. Jackie Brown isn't the same kind of movie that Tarantino did with his first two, yes it's still a crime movie but of different sorts. Jackie Brown is also slower and less chaotic than Fiction or Dogs, it still has Quentin's swagger and dialogue. Though the dialogue isn't nearly as sharp as Pulp Fiction.

Jackie Brown isn't all over the place, it's alot easier to follow, some fans might of found that dissapointing. I personally can't relate to being let down, since I hadn't seen Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs to compare when I saw this. This film was actually my first Tarantino picture and I saw it the year it was released. When I first watched it, I wasn't that impressed, actually I really didn't care for it. But over the years I've learn to appreciate it, with each repeated viewing, it's still my least favorite of Tarantino's work.

But even Quentin's worst is still pretty good. Now the acting in Jackie Brown is excellent. I think the chemistry between Pam Grier and Robert Forster is top notch, Samuel L Jackson plays a very deceitful character but in a very charming way. You wouldn't except anything less from this cast anyways, it all works.

The plot is good but not overwhelmingly spectactular like Pulp Fiction's plot. It's pretty much a con job that doesn't go the way you expect, Grier does a fine job weaving her web. Does she get the money at the end or does Ordell (Jackson) get his hands on it? Or will the feds ruin everything for both of them.

Jackie Brown is full of twists in a linear fashion. So don't think non-linear, which Tarantino is know for up to this point. Jackie Brown also has a pretty good sound track, the music basically 70's inspired. The whole movie has a 70's vibe which is what Tarantino was going for, so like I said this isn't my favorite Quentin Tarantino movie but it's good movie overall.

So any fan of caper movies, or previous Tarantino movies, should enjoy this. Who knows, you might like it more than me, there are some hard-core fans out there that think Jackie Brown is Tarantino's masterpiece. Give it a watch and see.