Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American independent crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino from a story he conceived with Roger Avary. It tells four intertwining tales of crime and violence in Los Angeles, California. The film stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Ving Rhames, and Uma Thurman. The title refers to the pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic violence and punchy dialogue. Tarantino wrote Pulp Fiction in 1992 and 1993, incorporating scenes that Avary originally wrote for True Romance (1993). Its plot occurs out of chronological order. The film is also self-referential from its opening moments, beginning with a title card that gives two dictionary definitions of "pulp". Considerable screen time is devoted to monologues and casual conversations with eclectic dialogue revealing each character's perspectives on several subjects, and the film features an ironic combination of humor and strong violence. TriStar Pictures reportedly turned down the script as "too demented". Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein was enthralled, however, and the film became the first that Miramax fully financed. Pulp Fiction won the Palme d'Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and was a major critical and commercial success. It was nominated for seven awards at the 67th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won Best Original Screenplay; Travolta, Jackson, and Thurman were nominated for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress respectively. As a result of the film's success, Travolta's career was reinvigorated, and the previously unknown Jackson and Thurman became household names. The film's development, marketing, distribution, and profitability had a sweeping effect on independent cinema. Pulp Fiction is widely regarded as Tarantino's magnum opus, with particular praise for its screenwriting. The self-reflexivity, unconventional structure, and extensive homage and pastiche have led critics to describe it as a touchstone of postmodern film. It is often considered a cultural watershed, influencing films and other media that adopted elements of its style. The cast was also widely praised, with Travolta, Thurman, and Jackson earning high acclaim. In 2008, Entertainment Weekly named it the best film since 1983 and it has appeared on many critics' lists of the greatest films ever made. In 2013, Pulp Fiction was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Look, just 'cause I wouldn't give no man a foot massage don't make it right... for Marsellus to throw Antwan off a building into a glass motherfuckin' house, fuckin' up the way the nigger talks; that shit ain't right. Motherfucker do that shit to me, he better paralyze my ass, 'cause I kill the motherfucker. I ain't sayin' it's right, but you sayin' a massage don't mean nothin'. I'm sayin' it does. Now, look, I've given a million ladies a million foot massages, and they all meant somethin'. We act like they don't, but they do. That's what's so fuckin' cool about them. There's a sensuous thing goin' on... where you don't talk about it, but you know it and she knows it. Fuckin' Marsellus knew it. And Antwan should've fuckin' better known better. That's his fuckin' wife, man. This ain't a man with a sense of humor about this shit. You know what I'm sayin'? It's an interestin' point. Come on. Let's get into character.
Pulp Fiction
- What's her name again? - Mia. - Mia. - Why you so interested in big man's wife? He's goin' out of town, Florida. And he asked me if I'd take care of her while he's gone. - Take care of her? - No, man. Just take her out. Show her a good time. Make sure she don't get lonely. You're gonna be takin' Mia Wallace out on a date? It is not a date. It's just like if you were gonna take your buddy's wife to a movie or somethin'. - It's just good company, that's all. - [ Sighs ]
Pulp Fiction
- You're Brett, right? - Yeah. I thought so. You remember your business partner Marsellus Wallace, don't ya, Brett? Yeah, I remember. Good. Looks like me and Vincent caught you boys at breakfast. Sorry about that. Whatcha havin'? Hamburgers. Hamburgers! The cornerstone of any nutritious breakfast.
Pulp Fiction
What kind of hamburgers? - Uh, ch-cheeseburgers. - No, no, no. Where'd you get 'em? McDonald's, Wendy's, Jack-in-the-Box? - Where? - Uh, Big Kahuna Burger. Big Kahuna Burger! That's that Hawaiian burger joint. I hear they got some tasty burgers. I ain't never had one myself. How are they? They're- They're good. You mind if I try one of yours? - This is yours here, right? - Yeah.
Pulp Fiction
Want a bite? They're real tasty. - I ain't hungry. - Well, if you like burgers, give 'em a try sometime. Me, I can't usually get 'em 'cause my girlfriend's a vegetarian, which pretty much makes me a vegetarian. But I do love the taste of a good burger. Mmmm. You know what they call a Quarter-Pounder with Cheese in France? - No. - Tell 'em, Vincent. - A Royale with Cheese. - A Royale with Cheese. You know why they call it that? Uh, because of the metric system?
Pulp Fiction
I just want you to know how- I just want you to know how sorry we are th-that things got so fucked up... with us and Mr. Wallace. W-We got into this thing with the best intentions. Really. I never- Oh, I'm sorry, did I break your concentration? - [ Gasping ] - I didn't mean to do that. Please. Continue. You were saying something about "best intentions."
Pulp Fiction