Movie : Jackie Brown

Stewardess Jackie Brown gets busted for bringing cash and cocaine from Mexico. She is turned by the cops to help catch her connection. At the same time she works out a deal with her connection to smuggle more cash in from Mexico. She works both ends against each other to her benefit. Lots of under handedness and complicated plans going on. Jackie and bail bondsman Max Cherry get a thing going in the midst of the shit storm.

Elmore Leonard is one of my favorite writers and Tarantino does his story justice. Full of a great mix of characters, story that hooks you, lots of dark humor, cool soundtrack and much more. Casting couldn’t have been better. From the leads to the support there are so many standout performances. DeNiro’s dumbed down Louis, Fonda’s stoned over sexed, irritating Melanie, Jacksons sleezeball Odell. I love these Leonard creations. He then throws in two are my favorite film characters. Jackie Brown and Max Cherry. I can’t tell you enough how much I love the relationship between these two. From the first moment Max lays eyes on Jackie right through with every scene they have together.

Pam Grier and Robert Forster bring this relationship to life and I couldn’t get enough of it (Tarantino does a good job with the balance). A cool example of someone in love is when Forester’s character Max is driving in his car by himself grooving to the Delfonics, a band Jackie turned him onto. That’s love. So real. Leonard, Quentin, Grier and Forster come together to create a great moment. The love story between these two is played out amidst the madness of the goings on in the film. There are lots of other relationships in the film, all messed up but entertaining. Louis and Melanie for an example (Never rag a violent headcase in a parking lot. Doesn’t go well)).

These kinds of collaborations don’t always work but in this case it works big time for me. Good story, tight direction, solid performances, great dialogue, Hey there is even a subtle love connection that felt real and not pushed. Real good crime flick with lots going on with a few chuckles on the side. I like this film a lot. Tarantino hits his stride with this one and runs on all cylinders.

I just hope that Jackie and Max got together for a while. Just for fun.