Writer/Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Robert De Niro, Michael Keaton and Bridget Fonda
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors that achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or cruel gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a celebrated legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created an enduring legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his lasting career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of De Niro and adore all the films he has created in his career. However, “Jackie Brown” is truly my favourite. Released in 1997, Quentin Tarantino’s movie offered a powerful portrait of flight attendants. Packed with bold production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best crime movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Robert De Niro, who embodies a great gangster facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Jackie Brown” a crime classic is its broad appeal. Unlike most crime movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A riveting masterpiece about an attendant, there are many strong reasons why “Jackie Brown” is a movie that is definitely worth watching.
“Jackie Brown” chronicles life of a strong flight attendant whose life becomes turned upside down. Pam Grier embodies Jackie Brown, an eccentric flight attendant that is the talk of her town. Brown is a mischievous con-artist that often gets away with committing grim crimes without experiencing a price to pay. However, Jackie’s life drastically changes when she gets caught for crimes causing disaster. As she is targeted by police which cause her to grieve, Jackie is soon forced to question whether her dreams are possible to achieve. Faced with a dilemma, Jackie questions whether her goals can be achieved causing trauma. Assisted by partner in crime Louis Gara (Robert De Niro), Jackie seeks to solve crime in a high pressure scenario. Facing resentment, Jackie is forced to question whether it’s possible for her to be a successful flight attendant.
Quentin Tarantino is fascinated with the stories of criminals. A strong filmmaker, Tarantino has often crafted engaging movies about criminals facing disaster. His iconic movie “Pulp Fiction” depicted the lives of gangsters facing tension. With “Jackie Brown”, however, Tarantino made his first con-artist film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of con-artists facing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Tarantino captures a flight attendant embarking upon a treacherous journey. Inspired with Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, Tarantino expertly uses montages to convey con-artists that face adversity. For instance, the montages enhance the heist scene. During this memorable scene, Jackie Brown seeks to commit a robbery that causes adversity. Using montages, Tarantino creates a portrait of flight attendants which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in film. As Michael Mann’s “Heat” proved, montages elevate commemorated films about bank robberies. Nevertheless, it works well. Using bold visuals, Tarantino captures tensions which con-artists are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Jackie Brown” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Tarantino effectively uses strong costumes to capture the lives of con-artists facing adversity. Throughout the film, Jackie Brown’s costumes demonstrate her dramatic transformation into a flight attendant facing adversity. For instance, costumes elevate the interrogation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jackie is interrogated by the police in a stressful situation. Using stunning costumes, Tarantino creates a portrait of con-artists that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Mark Ulano’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that attendants bear. Through stunning production, Tarantino captures flight attendants that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Jackie Brown” is a crime film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dialogue to capture tensions which con-artists are facing. Tarantino has always had a talent for using dialogue to create strong characters, and “Jackie Brown” showcased his strength as a screenwriter. Throughout the movie, Tarantino effectively uses witty dialogue to create strong characters with personality. For instance, dialogue elevates the mall scene. During this tense scene, Louis has an intense argument with Melanie causing tension in a shopping mall. Through dialogue, Tarantino crafts a portrait of con-artists which audiences can relate to. Dialogue has always been a central highlight of Tarantino’s movies, and “Jackie Brown” demonstrated his greatest strength as a director. Through an exceptional screenplay, Tarantino conveys con-artists that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his best career performances as Louis Gara. De Niro earned appreciation for playing troubled taxi drivers in crime dramas. With “Jackie Brown”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a con-artist that faced adversities, but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and memorable in his most iconic role. De Niro has always excelled at portraying tough characters having a short temper, and “Jackie Brown” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and resentment of a gangster facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is exceptional and worthy of appreciation. Samuel L. Jackson is spectacular, capturing the tension endured by a gangster that becomes involved in crime causing destruction. Pam Grier is phenomenal, bringing an air of authority to an attendant in a state of fear carrying a burden to bear. Lastly, Michael Keaton merits appreciation. As a bold police-officer, he brings a sense of menace to the movie.
Finally, “Jackie Brown” would earn recognition of everyone for capturing flight attendants in a terrifying situation. Unlike most movies about con-artists, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of anxiety, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of con-artists to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message concerning con-artists that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Jackie Brown” is one of those rare crime movies which everyone would absolutely adore.
Fans of Robert De Niro would absolutely enjoy “Jackie Brown” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A captivating crime classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about a flight attendant facing resentment, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with strong commitment towards his craft that has made unforgettable movies throughout his career which have stood test of time as unforgettable entertainment.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 