Pulp Fiction

"I don't eat dog, either."

I was a huge fan of "Pulp Fiction" when it came out. It hit me at the right age (college) and I saw it multiple times with my friends. We wore Mia Wallace-style vamp lipstick and listened to the soundtrack over and over. I haven't seen it in so long and when I saw it pop up on TV (Pluto) I was worried about how it would hold up. We're in the age of superhero movies that try for cool banter in the way that Pulp Fiction kind of pioneered. We've had ample time to see (in my opinion) Quentin Tarantino not really fulfill the promise of Reservoir Dogs (also watched again, last week) and this movie. So I watched it with some trepidation that a movie I loved wouldn't hold up.

Well, first - the filmmaking really is as good as I remembered. Interesting shots and angles that add to the story. Outstanding work by the actors. Travolta is great, especially alongside Samuel L. Jackson, where he seems to come alive. Jackson is amazing, of course. Bruce Willis, almost tragically great when you think how sadly his story has ended. Ving Rhames, excellent, I always wanted to see him in more, but I guess he made bank on Mission Impossible so good for him. 

I wish QT had not put himself into the movie because he's a bit of a cringy weak spot as far as acting, especially next to Harvey Keitel (also, of course, this time I noticed the foot shots that were not as notable back in the day when we didn't know his proclivities). 

It's gory, violent and nerve-wracking, also clever, funny and smart. It holds up for me, but I wonder if my kids would like it as much as I did as a Gen-Xer. I guess my son who likes "The Boys" would appreciate it. Not sure the pop culture references would land (I think my kids know who Fonzie is, but I bet they're in the minority). I can personally still quote big chunks of it and rewatching it was fun.

It's true that everything important happens when people go to the bathroom. Many others have tried but nothing has matched Pulp Fiction's unique and bloody charm.