Jackie Brown
Jackie Brown ★★★ 1997 (R)
Tarantino finally climbs back into the director's chair with his leisurely but satisfying adaptation of Elmore Leonard's “Rum Punch.” No, it's not “Pulp Fiction,” but it could do for Pam Grier what “Pulp” did for John Travolta. Grier stars as out-of-luck-and-options stewardess Jackie Brown, who runs money to Mexico for ruthless arms dealer Ordell (Jackson). Busted on one of her errands, she comes up with an intricate plan to get out from under, hopefully with the money and without getting caught or killed. Slower and less bloody than Quentin fans are used to, but as usual, he gets killer performances from everybody. Cool dialogue and chronological shifts are again key ingredients, along with a hightened sense of character development. Fonda and De Niro make the most of small (but crucial) roles, but it's Forster (another ‘70s whatever-happened-to refugee) who provides the standout performance. The look and feel of the movie reflects the dingy world it inhabits, as well as Tarantino's love of ‘70s blaxploitation flicks. 155m/C VHS, DVD . Pam Grier, Robert Forster, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Michael Bowen, Chris Tucker, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Tommy (Tiny) Lister, Hattie Winston, Aimee Graham, Sid Haig; D: Quentin Tarantino; W: Quentin Tarantino; C: Guillermo Navarro; M: Mary Ramos, Michelle Kuznetsky.