Pulp Fiction: Tarantino and His Actors

Pulp Fiction, likely the most influential and popular movie of Quentin Tarantino, was not built upon senseless violence, or upon the utilization of a lack of moral compass as comedy. Despite the critiques of the movie, Pulp Fiction was built upon friendship and a passion for the films which Hollywood ignored. What made this film so revolutionary to the landscape of cinema in the 90's? It was solely the work and the strong bond of Tarantino and his actors.

John Travolta and Quentin Tarantino.

When I first watched this movie, I came into it expecting nothing. As many Tarantino fans might know, the portrayal of these stories is anything but light. In fact, the first few minutes will surprise anybody. When first seeing the sweet woman, nicknamed Honey Bunny, we expect her to be a sweet and compassionate figure. Soon, the audience discovers Amanda Plummer's character's true colors.

Amanda Plummer as Honey Bunny in Pulp Fiction.

Plummer loved her character in Pulp Fiction, but not only did she love her work, she loved her director, Quentin Tarantino. Plummer said in a relatively recent interview, "Directors like that, you jump off a cliff for if they ask you." Later in the same interview, John Travolta speaks about how he met Tarantino. He said that he had not had a fun role in his career for years and that when Tarantino met with him, he already had a role for him. Travolta heard about the role in Tarantino's From Dusk Till Dawn, but rejected it because he did not like vampire movies. Tarantino unfortunately had already casted Pulp Fiction, but when Travolta said he was interested in the film, Tarantino casted Travolta over Michael Madsen. Travolta was doing well off in Hollywood, but once he got cast as Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, he had a whole new view about acting. He said Pulp Fiction "changed filmmaking forever."

Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction.

Tarantino's casting ability is displayed in this movie. He wrote the parts of Honey Bunny, Pumpkin, and Jules specifically for each actor. When Jackson was not casted in Tarantino's first movie, Reservoir Dogs, Jackson talked to Tarantino about his decision. Tarantino said he was currently writing a role for him specifically. This show's Tarantino's love for his actors and the characters they play. He really is a genius in casting and film-making in general.

Tarantino's success in Hollywood is marked by his incredible connection to his actors, and Pulp Fiction's triumphs in cinema history are undoubtedly due to the love shared within each member of the cast. Say what you will about Pulp Fiction but for me, and for millions more, it has inspired us with a love of cinema and stood the test of time.

By Tony Garcia-Meyer.

tonygarciameyer@gmail.com