"Jackie Brown" is a crime-thriller about a flight attendant who finds herself caught up in an ATF investigation involving an arms dealer. The film stars Pam Grier as Jackie Brown, Samuel L. Jackson as Ordell Robbie, Robert Forster as Max Cherry, Brenda Fonda as Melanie Ralston, and Robert De Niro as Louis Gara. This is the third feature film from Quentin Tarantino. "Jackie Brown" is one of Tarantino's most unique pictures; excelling in subtlety, wit, and pacing.
The performances in "Jackie Brown" are well-constructed. Pam Grier plays the titular character. In contrast to many of her Blaxploitation roles, Grier takes center stage as more than a caricature for male fantasy. Jackie Brown is intelligent, cunning, and a bad ass all the same. Grier breathes life into Jackie Brown through a wide palette of emotion. In her dialogue, she exhibits anger, fear, and joy with the inflection of her voice. In addition to her delivery, Grier's body language is one of her strongest assets. By large, she is the film's glue. Samuel L. Jackson counterbalances Grier's soul with snakish charm. Jackson's portrayal of Ordell Robbie is devious and chilling. Ordell has charisma and style, however he is cruel. Jackson's best moments are displayed through non-verbal body language. His facial expressions are his strongest attributes. Ordell Robbie may be one of Jackson's most underrated characters. While Jackson and Grier excel in personality, Robert Forster completes that package with his old school Hollywood acting prowess. Forster's character Max Cherry is thrusted in the middle of the film's conflict. He steps in as the audiences surrogate. He is the film's straight man, yet he displays a lot of heart. Cherry gradually transforms into a warm character. Forster plays off both Grier and Jackson as the voice of reason, while simultaneously matching their strong performances. The supporting cast does a great job of keeping up with the film's three central characters. De Niro gives one of his most low-key performances as Louis Gara, while Brenda Fonda is bombastic and colorful as Melanie Ralston. Michael Keaton and Michael Bowen are sprinkled in as an ATF agent and LAPD detective. They each give weight to the film's circumstance through their non-yielding presence as the authorities. In sum, the cast of "Jackie Brown" is really good. They have great chemistry - and their performances double as a "how to" guide on fine acting.
"Jackie Brown" has a strong narrative. There are many twists and turns in the film's plot. While character motives can be seen as complicated, the film does a great job of identifying each person's central goal through exposition. The film's complex set up is one of its' strengths. There is never a dull moment. Tarantino crafted a tight screenplay that does not waver. One of the best aspects of "Jackie Brown" is the use of perspective. Akin to Francis Ford Coppola's park scene in "The Conversation," portions of the movie are depicted from different character standpoints that add new details and new meaning to the central action. Tarantino kills two birds with one stone by replaying the same scenes, while adding each character's essence to the aforementioned scene. One of Tarantino's defining trait is his well-written dialogue. "Jackie Brown" is no exception to this. The dialogue and language used in "Jackie Brown" is well-crafted. Each character feels unique, yet their speech connects to one another and adds more weight to the story. To say "Jackie Brown" has a good narrative is an understatement. The film's plot and dialogue are very strong.
The cinematography is great. Director of photography, Guillermo Navarro does a great job of matching the script's complex narrative with top-notch camera work. The opening scene is an iconic character introduction. The steady-cam dolly on Jackie Brown on a moving walkway is one of the film's best shots. Throughout "Jackie Brown," the camera often follows the characters, mimicking verite and presenting a documentary-esque feel. It makes the drama feel real - and proves compatible with the already excellent story. The film's editing is solid, but at moments rough around the edges. A few cross dissolves feel unnecessary. The sound-mixing is really good for the most part, yet when the characters talk on the other end of a phone - their audio tracks do not match. It's often as if the characters are in the same room as the other characters while being on the opposite end of the phone. It's a minor gripe that can be immersion-breaking. Despite, very minor editing issues, the film has a great style. The soundtrack adds so much to the mood and tone of "Jackie Brown." It's a fun movie to look at - with great music to compliment the visuals.
Overall, "Jackie Brown" is Tarantino's most underrated film. It's novel, it's witty, it's well-paced, it's charming, and it's a great experience. "Jackie Brown" should be remembered as a film that gave Pam Grier and Robert Forster their best performances. Defined no less than what it truly is - a thriller.
The performances in "Jackie Brown" are well-constructed. Pam Grier plays the titular character. In contrast to many of her Blaxploitation roles, Grier takes center stage as more than a caricature for male fantasy. Jackie Brown is intelligent, cunning, and a bad ass all the same. Grier breathes life into Jackie Brown through a wide palette of emotion. In her dialogue, she exhibits anger, fear, and joy with the inflection of her voice. In addition to her delivery, Grier's body language is one of her strongest assets. By large, she is the film's glue. Samuel L. Jackson counterbalances Grier's soul with snakish charm. Jackson's portrayal of Ordell Robbie is devious and chilling. Ordell has charisma and style, however he is cruel. Jackson's best moments are displayed through non-verbal body language. His facial expressions are his strongest attributes. Ordell Robbie may be one of Jackson's most underrated characters. While Jackson and Grier excel in personality, Robert Forster completes that package with his old school Hollywood acting prowess. Forster's character Max Cherry is thrusted in the middle of the film's conflict. He steps in as the audiences surrogate. He is the film's straight man, yet he displays a lot of heart. Cherry gradually transforms into a warm character. Forster plays off both Grier and Jackson as the voice of reason, while simultaneously matching their strong performances. The supporting cast does a great job of keeping up with the film's three central characters. De Niro gives one of his most low-key performances as Louis Gara, while Brenda Fonda is bombastic and colorful as Melanie Ralston. Michael Keaton and Michael Bowen are sprinkled in as an ATF agent and LAPD detective. They each give weight to the film's circumstance through their non-yielding presence as the authorities. In sum, the cast of "Jackie Brown" is really good. They have great chemistry - and their performances double as a "how to" guide on fine acting.
"Jackie Brown" has a strong narrative. There are many twists and turns in the film's plot. While character motives can be seen as complicated, the film does a great job of identifying each person's central goal through exposition. The film's complex set up is one of its' strengths. There is never a dull moment. Tarantino crafted a tight screenplay that does not waver. One of the best aspects of "Jackie Brown" is the use of perspective. Akin to Francis Ford Coppola's park scene in "The Conversation," portions of the movie are depicted from different character standpoints that add new details and new meaning to the central action. Tarantino kills two birds with one stone by replaying the same scenes, while adding each character's essence to the aforementioned scene. One of Tarantino's defining trait is his well-written dialogue. "Jackie Brown" is no exception to this. The dialogue and language used in "Jackie Brown" is well-crafted. Each character feels unique, yet their speech connects to one another and adds more weight to the story. To say "Jackie Brown" has a good narrative is an understatement. The film's plot and dialogue are very strong.
The cinematography is great. Director of photography, Guillermo Navarro does a great job of matching the script's complex narrative with top-notch camera work. The opening scene is an iconic character introduction. The steady-cam dolly on Jackie Brown on a moving walkway is one of the film's best shots. Throughout "Jackie Brown," the camera often follows the characters, mimicking verite and presenting a documentary-esque feel. It makes the drama feel real - and proves compatible with the already excellent story. The film's editing is solid, but at moments rough around the edges. A few cross dissolves feel unnecessary. The sound-mixing is really good for the most part, yet when the characters talk on the other end of a phone - their audio tracks do not match. It's often as if the characters are in the same room as the other characters while being on the opposite end of the phone. It's a minor gripe that can be immersion-breaking. Despite, very minor editing issues, the film has a great style. The soundtrack adds so much to the mood and tone of "Jackie Brown." It's a fun movie to look at - with great music to compliment the visuals.
Overall, "Jackie Brown" is Tarantino's most underrated film. It's novel, it's witty, it's well-paced, it's charming, and it's a great experience. "Jackie Brown" should be remembered as a film that gave Pam Grier and Robert Forster their best performances. Defined no less than what it truly is - a thriller.