674. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Running Time: 153 mins

Pulp Fiction is an American film following the lives of two hit men, a boxer, a gangster’s wife and two petty restaurant thieves who end up connecting in various tales of mad violence and revenge.

This film is a combination of a fantastically intriguing and intelligent plot, some mad, but traditional Tarantino violence, and some absolutely hilarious comedy, which makes it not only exciting to watch, but a lot of fun too.

Much like its celebrated director, this film has an incredible reputation the world over. It’s much more than a cult classic like something like Reservoir Dogs, it is definitely a landmark in ingenuity with its screenplay and plot structure.

The main reason for that is the fact that it’s told in non-chronological order. While that may seem confusing at first, it’s masked well enough in the initial stages of the film that when you finally come to realise that it’s not really in order, it’s too late, because you’ve been so engrossed in the story to notice.

However, the structure does mean that you get a lot of unexpected things popping up again and again, like people who’ve died seeming perfectly fine etc. Again, while that could seem like a confusing and irritating concept, it actually adds to the unpredictability and excitement of the story, because halfway through, it feels to you like anything can happen.

Meanwhile, there’s a whole heap of pop culture references, a hugely fun soundtrack, and some absolutely hilarious comedy all the way through to keep you unexpectedly smiling as you watch this gritty crime thriller unfold. Honestly, except for Inglourious Basterds, I have to say that this is Tarantino’s funniest film, and I’ve got to say that that really helps to add an extra edge to it all, as it’s just so enjoyable to watch.

Finally, the performances in this film are also fantastic. Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta are hilarious, petrifying and completely iconic, Uma Thurman fits that description pretty well too, and Bruce Willis, in a more subdued role than you’d expect, is surprisingly the most intriguing of all the faces on screen.

Overall, this gets an 8.9, because it was a hugely entertaining, exciting, interesting and definitely iconic film, that you just cannot miss out on.