Review of Pulp Fiction (1994) by Ben L — 08 Aug 2015

I always wondered how Pulp Fiction could be so popular and yet I knew nothing about the plot. Now I'm thinking I never knew because there isn't a single cohesive plot. In a way this movie is simply a series of vignettes that just happen to connect with one another by the end because some of the characters eventually interact with each other.

I really liked the humor in this movie. It has those moments where organized crime and murder are treated like everyday jobs and I got some good laughs out of that. Perhaps this is the one way that I can tolerate a story about gangsters and other despicable people.

When I'm given permission to laugh at them it makes me hate them less. I also have to applaud Tarantino because every time I had a question about what was going on, later in the film it was answered.

The non-linear story-telling is interesting and kept me invested in each subplot. I think the big shortcoming I found in Pulp Fiction was the fact that, while I was engaged by the story, I never really became invested in the characters.

Since each little scene seems to present a new protagonist and antagonist I never fully bought into caring about anyone. That being said, it was still a brilliantly constructed film and one I would probably watch again if I was asked.

In fact it might even grow on me over time. I think I see what the world loves about Pulp Fiction, even though it's only a "like" for me.