Oddly as I thought about how to open the review of this movie, distant memories began to float in. Perhaps being 7-8 years old and this movie being on Fox on the weekends during the day. I remember being confused because I was told it was an action movie about cops and robbers and it was just in one room. Strange memories on this night (thats a Fear and Loathing reference folks). But anyway, this is the Tarantino movie I've seen the most times and the only one I actually own. Actually I own a really cool special edition of it that can be seen below. Get it? The case is a gas can! The DVD sleeves are matches from the diner! Fantastic! What's funny? I actually really do like this special edition and how it was set up. Usually a special edition just throws in a couple of extra features and re-does the box art. I dig the fact they put in some effort and it was different from anything else I own. But this isn't a DVD review, this is a movie review! GET ON WITH IT!
We open in a diner on a group of guys discussing the meaning behind Madonna's Like a Virgin. Its actually a pretty classic conversation and each guy in the group has their own theory and questions about it. To me this makes the entire group relatable. Is there anyone out there who hasn't been with a group of friends discussing pop culture theories? A few more lines of epic conversation (Pink's argument against tipping is a rant for the ages) and the scene leads into the opening credits. We know nothing about this group other than they're all sitting around in similar suits, work together, and are about to go to work. They mention the local radio station playing fantastic 70's oldies (leading to a fantastic soundtrack throughout the entire movie). They then march out to a classic rock staple walking together just looking like straight badasses. After the credits, we jump to a car with two characters. Somethings gone wrong as one is shot in the gut and the other is driving yelling at him that he's not going to die. What the hell happened? and that's JUST the opening.
This movie is told in a non-linear style and you don't get the full story until the entire movie has played out as it jumps from the heist, to the recruiting of the crew, to the aftermath of what happens during the botched robbery. Despite it jumping around so much, it never feels rushed or out of place. The entire thing is perfectly paced. Oddly enough, it also manages to remain suspenseful. So here's the plot since I'm not going to go through every scene. Gangster Joe plans a diamond heist, recruiting his thieves and crooks for the job. Something goes horribly wrong during the heist and the crew ends up in a shootout with the cops and running back to the rendezvous point. BIG SPOILER TIME: There's a rat/undercover cop in their midst and they need to find out who it was. Honestly? It's a great story, with great characters, and it's told well. I dont want to go through everything because I want you guys to actually see the movie, so lets hit what stands out and what might've been slight misses.
The thing that stands out to me is every actor in this film aside from Tarantino as Mr. Blue. Tim Roth as Mr. Orange, Harvey Keitel as Mr. White, Michael Madsen as Vic Vega/Mr. Blonde, and Steve Buscemi as Mr. Pink all deliver amazing performances where no matter how ridiculous the situation around them gets, you believe every word coming out of them. All of the emotion feels real. The dialogue flows like conversation should and doesn't feel written or scripted at all. To add to that, there's great one-liners peppered throughout the movie, but they're not delivered in a cheesy fashion. They fit the character the film is trying to portray. These elements combine to make the fact there's only about 3 settings and very little action in the film irrelevant. This movie is banking on the performances and the dialogue and it absolutely knocks it out of the park.
The standout performance has to go to Michael Madsen as Mr. Blonde. You know how every heist movie has the loose cannon? That's Mr. Blonde. Mr. Blonde is a stone cold psycho who ends up taking a cop hostage. When everyone else besides a passed out Mr. Orange leaves, he begins to torture the hostage. Not to get information. But just because he thinks its fun. He delivers all of this in a terrifying deadpan. No emotion, no anger. When the torture begins, the radio begins to play Stealer's Wheel Stuck in The Middle With You. You can watch the sheer joy in Mr. Blonde as he prepares and then proceeds to brutally almost murder the hostage. The entire scene is horrific and fascinating all at once. Even if you don't watch the rest of the movie, this part's worth seeing. You'll also never hear that song the same way again.
So time for the whiffs of the movie. Honestly, it lost a bit of timelessness for me when I realized something. Towards the end of the movie Nice Guy Eddie uses a cell phone to call his dad (Joe, the ringleader) and tell him everything is blown to hell. I know it was 1992 but these guys had enough money/success at crime they should've been able to spring for a phone for the other guys. I was thinking maybe it was a car only phone but nope, no cords. This bothers me. Great movie nonetheless, but it's weird to think about how movies based on "misunderstandings" and being "cut off" from communication are now completely implausible in today's world.
My other big issue isn't necessarily on the movie itself but on some fanboys that claim the ending is ambiguous. There is no ambiguity here. SPOILER: This is Hamlet/Macbeth caliber. EVERYONE dies (the movies not about that). You hear it happening if you pay attention. The only way not everyone dies is if Pink surrendered but you hear gunshots outside so odds are he's not living by the end either.
So..I said this was the only Tarantino movie I liked...and it still holds up after not having watched it in awhile. With great storytelling, scripting, and characters that act logically given the situation around them, this movie somehow ends up making you feel for a bunch of thieves and killers in a botched job. Its a fantastic flick, and everyone should see it at least once in their life.
Final Verdict: Great movie. I give it 9/10 cut off ears
So round 1 is over, and my outlook on Quentin is excessively positive? Pretty crazy for a guy doing this specifically because in the past he disliked Tarantino films. Will it stay this way?
You gonna bark all day little readers, or are you gonna bite?
-Oz
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