Jackie Brown

I gladly got to finish Quentin Tarantino's filmography over the past two days, and man was I one lucky guy for this film to be the anchor of it all. I truly think this is his best work put out to date! Maybe even De Niro's as well, I'll talk more about that once in a lifetime type of performance in a second. One thing that really sets this film apart from all his other one's is the particular tone of this project, it's mature and melancholic. It does still have his unique style of dialogue and violence, but it's not frantic and overly stylish. It's grounded with profound character studies. It's very noticeable in Quentin's approach at the romance between Max and Jackie. It's not the typical Hollywood love story, its quiet and their interactions are subtle. Often communicating through glances and understated dialogue, while they both convey a deep sense of longing and connection. Pretty much like a nostalgic bond built on mutual respect and understanding, this makes the stakes of the plot more impactful because we genuinely care for these two. While also taking the story to a even more grounded place because of our emotional connection to it. Plus his choice in soundtracks always enhances the story he's telling so of course I also enjoyed that. Another thing that I loved from this because I've actually read the book, is the way Tarantino perfectly captures Elmore Leonard's distinctive voice and knack for creating morally ambiguous characters in tight situations. Jackie in particular, she's not some bigger than life hero. She's a middle aged woman facing the end of her career looking for a way out. Which leads her to playing both sides of the operation, with some elite vulnerability from Pam Grier which it makes it hard on us to decide how we really feel about her until the very end. Now onto the man, Robert De Niro. I don't think I've ever seen him sink so far deep into a role you truly don't know if that's even him anymore, he's quite but intense often reflecting a lot of expression through his body language and facial expressions. You can see and truly feel deep down the weariness and desperation in him, while also sensing the potential for a sudden explosion. What's really compelling about De Niro portraying Louis is his representation of the less glamours side of the criminal world, in some ways we see him as pathetic and not the brightest of the bunch but he's very loyal to Ordell. Making their relationship complicated and almost a ticking time bomb itself considering how Ordell looks at people as disposable. You were wrong Ordell Robbie, Louis wasn't beautiful in the past tense, he will always be beautiful! Truly a masterclass in building tension while revealing characters through meticulous plotting. It's not just a heist film, it's character driven by their acts of survival and the desperate measures people take when pushed to a certain limit.