The year is 1994, a time when Hollywood churned out an array of movies that would go on to become gems. The Crow, Jason’s Lyric, Shawshank Redemption, Speed, Angels in the Outfield, Forrest Gump, the list goes on. But there was one in particular that managed to grow more into a cult classic over time. Fast forward to today as the Quentin Tarantino directed flick Pulp Fiction celebrates its 30-year anniversary.
Often regarded as one of the best films of all time, the cast includes John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Christopher Walken, Ving Rhames and Harvey Keitel. For anyone who hasn’t seen it to this day, those names alone would lure anyone into giving it a go. It’s important to note that their resumes back then didn’t hold the same weight as they do now. The movie made Thurman recognizable everywhere, as she was the focus of the theatrical poster, which can be found plastered anywhere from vintage clothing stores to smoke shops worldwide.
Not only is Pulp Fiction a fan favorite that lands on many film enthusiasts’ top 10, it went on to win many awards as well. Perhaps the most decorated nominations came from the 1995 Academy Awards where it garnered seven nominations including Best Picture, while giving Jackson and Thurman their first Oscar nods for Best Actor and Best Actress. Despite losing the biggest category of the night to Forrest Gump (understandable, as Shawshank Redemption was also a contender), Tarantino and his partner, Roger Avary, took home the golden statue for Best Original Screenplay. Conversation has been swirling for months now regarding whether or not the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood director will be retiring from, well, Hollywood. His final film was initially set to be The Movie Critic, which was to star Brad Pitt in the lead role, but it was reported back in April that he simply changed his mind.
Back on the topic of writing, Tarantino has been nominated for seven Oscars, but the two he took home were both for his screenwriting abilities. This is important to note because, when it all boils down, one of the stand out qualities that make Pulp Fiction a masterpiece of its time is the dialogue. Films weren’t having the type of exchanges that Vicent and Jules (Travolta and Jackson) were having, amongst others, as it served for a big chunk of the characters’ development.
The dynamic of the cast worked incredibly well, making this a movie where you’re meant to focus on not only what is happening, but what is being said. One of the more memorable scenes is a car conversation about McDonalds, just that simple. But the way it was written somehow made it much more than that, as it is still a popular reference three decades later. That’s the magic of Tarantino; he is truly a unique artist with a vision unlike others in this industry, as many have tried to imitate his creativity but have failed. It’s clear that audiences didn’t know what they were witnessing unfold at the time, but many generations have grown to appreciate the way Pulp Fiction pushed boundaries.
Earlier this year, a screening of the film was shown at the TCM Classic FIlm Festival to commemorate the milestone anniversary. Most of the cast including Jackson, Thurman, and Travolta were in attendance. Willis was absent due to his ongoing battle with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia. In his place, his wife Emma Heming Willis and daughter Tallulah Willis were present to honor him. Notably missing from the gang was Tarantino, although a clear reason as to why is still unknown. On the carpet, the stars reflected the film’s long-lasting impact, with Jackson saying, “Creating those characters and creating those relationships changed the dynamic of how people looked at films and how they want the characters to react to each other inside those films.”
Pulp Fiction was, in many ways, ahead of its time with its unconventional storytelling, violent moments, and comedic elements that made it an overall smorgasbord of a film. With storylines that intertwined through the entire two-and-a-half-hour run time, there is never a dull moment. At a time when movies being pushed out were sentimental or full of action, Pulp Fiction was truly unhinged.
Ask anyone why they love it, as most won’t give a solid answer across the board. Whether their older sibling introduced them to it at a young age or they recall quoting it non stop with their friends, it’s definitely a flick for the people. Its gritty style has become something filmmakers long to duplicate, but to no avail. While Tarantino’s directorial debut came in 1992 with Reservoir Dogs, it was the masterpiece he delivered two years later that solidified him as a genius in the film industry.