2nd Viewing
Tarantino Marathon Part III of IX
The first time and the only time I saw Quentin Tarantino’s 3rd feature-length production Jackie Brown was wayyy back when I was in middle school. Based off of my recent revisit to this underrated glory, it can be deduced that I wasn’t mature enough to intimately appreciate the artistry of Jackie Brown.
The irony that Tarantino has recently been declared a “sexist” after the release of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by a couple wishy-washy news-writer “activists” is honestly humiliating. Despite the fact that he’s the creator of some of the greatest female protagonists in cinematic history (Jackie Brown, The Bride, Shosanna Dreyfus, etc.), some folks still have the nerve to call him a “misogynist” simply for giving Margot Robbie a, quote on quote, “small role” in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It’s, frankly, hilarious. I mean, you can call him a “sexist” because of other rationalities—go right ahead—but you can’t deny, he’s killer at coining commendable female characters. Power to him.
Jackie Brown is a self-assertive female persona that’s written and performed so naturally and authentically by stunning actress Pam Grier—which is epic! She’s got class, but maybe some vulnerability like any other human being yet accommodates a witty, badass instinct to her that makes her a true A1 Tarantino character. Jackie Brown’s script, but primarily the dialogue written in the script, I consider to be top-tier Tarantino writing. All the characters rock hard (I mean, this might just be the best cast out of all his films besides, maybe, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood). Here, let’s go over the list: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Michael Bowen, Chris Tucker, etc. Like, damn my dudes and dudettes.
Jackie Brown is what I like to refer to as the solid definition of a “slow-burn.” It’s this big accumulating tease to this, as the movie refers to it as, “sting,” that justifies any, at first, supposedly meandering events that came previous to it. The elongated, multi-perspective climax is exhilarating, and it doesn’t accomplish anything less than showcasing the mammoth magnitude of Tarantino’s creativity. Witnessing Jackie’s intricate plan play out just in general too, is just, ugh, a motherf***ing ball.
I’m guilty as charged, I misjudged this movie too confidently the first time I saw it back when I was barely a teenager. Now, I’m shockingly pleased to see that I’ve warmed up to the picture. It genuinely is Tarantino’s most under-appreciated piece yet.
I suppose I’ll end this review off with a list of the best scenes in the film. Yeah, I like that.
1. “I think it’s a gun pressed up against my dick.”
2. “Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles.”
3. “Your ass used to be beautiful, man.”
4. “Keep your mouth shut.”
5. “Accept no substitutes.”
Verdict Change: B- —> A-
This Movie is a Part of My List: Ranking Quentin Tarantino’s Films From Best to Worst
“Jackie Brown” is now available to rent and buy on Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Netflix.
Burning the Celluloid 
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