When a movie takes a creative leap and attempts to incorporate an unconventional technique, it can either end up as a big failure or as a massive success. Pulp Fiction's use of the non-linear narrative structure has made the movie complex and endlessly rewatchable.
Pulp Fiction is widely regarded as Tarantino's magnum opus, with particular praise for its screenwriting. The self-reflexivity, unconventional structure, and extensive homage and pastiche have led critics to describe it as a touchstone of postmodern film.
As I said, in general, the film is about American nihilism. More specifically, it is about the transformation of two characters: Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Butch (Bruce Willis).
Summaries. The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.
Directed and written by the legendary Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction is the high water mark of the postmodern film. This is because it indulges in copious self-referentiality, challenging structure, and a keen interest in pop culture. This is because the film challenges the traditional narrative structure.
Pulp Fiction deals with themes of redemption and karma. Thus, when Jules and Vincent narrowly miss being shot, Jules decides to retire from his bad business, but Vincent chooses to carry on. Jules' character faces a redemption arc, whereas Vincent does not, resulting in his death.
Rather than employ a traditional cause-and-effect plot, writer/director Quentin Tarantino sequences Pulp Fiction out of order, on purpose. If each scene is a card, it's safe to say Tarantino shuffled his deck. Or, more accurately, he stacked it. Non-linear storytelling is challenging.
DO WHAT'S RIGHT. This is the moral of the story. The lesson I take away from Pulp Fiction is simply “Do what's right.” On Butch's story he's asked to throw a fight for a huge amount of money from Marcellus Wallace. He does what's right and not only wins the fight but he accidentally kills his opponent.
Why Pulp Fiction Isn't In Chronological Order. While Quentin Tarantino's decision to tell the Pulp Fiction plot out of chronological order was partially stylistic, as he had just done so for the timeline of 1992's Reservoir Dogs, the nonlinear format also has a purpose in making the entire story more compelling.
Having chosen to leave his criminal life behind him, Jules resolves the situation with Pumpkin and Honey Bunny peacefully, showing he is on the path to redemption. This is mirrored in the chronological ending, where Butch rides off into the sunset with his winnings to start a new life with Fabienne.
Vincent turned to the backseat to ask for Marvin's opinion, but they hit a bump and Vincent accidentally shot Marvin in the face. Despite its themes, Pulp Fiction only has seven deaths, but they were graphic and shocking enough to cause controversy.
And, of course, the lives of Jules and Vincent are saved, when a volley of shots in the apartment misses them. Jules chooses to call this a miracle, a sign from God, and retires from crime. Vincent shrugs it off, and pays the price. There is also an important, hilarious, subplot about the saving of Butch's gold watch.
What is pulp fiction? Pulp fiction refers to a genre of racy, action-based stories published in cheaply printed magazines from around 1900 to the 1950s, mostly in the United States.
It is a self-conscious, postmodern pastiche, with a nonlinear narrative. But Pulp Fiction also transcends all of this. It celebrates morality, mercy, and forgiveness, and rewards authenticity of the deepest kind, requiring acknowledgment of our finite realities, our infinite nature, and God's grace.
The title refers to the pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic violence and punchy dialogue. Tarantino wrote Pulp Fiction in 1992 and 1993, incorporating scenes that Avary originally wrote for True Romance (1993)[citation needed].
The watch is a family heirloom with an interesting but strange backstory, and it has also been interpreted as a symbol of karma in Pulp Fiction as well as a symbol of luck.
Pulp Fiction's narrative is told out of chronological order, and follows three main interrelated stories: Mob contract killer Vincent Vega is the protagonist of the first story, prizefighter Butch Coolidge is the protagonist of the second, and Vincent's partner Jules Winnfield is the protagonist of the third.
Containing numerous references to other films, it is like a great work of abstract art, or "art about art." It has all the characteristics we associate with great movies: fine writing, first-rate acting, unforgettable characters, and one of the most well-constructed narratives I've ever seen in a film.
Parents need to know that this film glorifies violence, drug use, and sexual themes. Gunplay, robbery, swearing, drug use, drug dealing, lying, cheating, violence, male rape, sadomasochism, and driving under the influence. A character is shot in the face and it's played for jokes. In one extremely graphic scene (one…
A theory suggests that Brett's associate actually had a fake gun but didn't know it, which explains why he “missed” all his shots and why the revolver on the gun didn't move when he shot – plus, he was too close to Jules and Vincent to completely miss them.
Apparently, The Gimp is a hitchiker who fell victim to Maynard and his brother. Plus, Tarantino intended for the poor guy to die by the end of the film: “It doesn't quite play this way in the movie, but in my mind when I wrote it, the Gimp's dead. Butch knocked him out and then when he passed out he hung himself.
This is open to dispute, but one contender is Umberto Lenzi's Make Them Die Slowly - also known as Canibal Ferox (US 1980), billed as The Most Violent Ever. Publicity for the picture proudly proclaimed that it had been banned in 31 countries.
Mickey Rourke was offered the role of Butch Coolidge but turned it down. The part ended up going to Bruce Willis, who delivered a solid performance. Even so, I'm disappointed Rourke didn't take it, as I think he would have been perfect.
