Film analysis that explains how Quentin Tarantino's movie Jackie Brown is an especially unique entry in the director's filmography.
0:00 Introduction
1:53 4 Ways Jackie Brown is Totally Unique
6:08 Conclusion
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The article that became this video: thegemsbok.com/jackie-brown
Jackie Brown on Amazon: amzn.to/2pxmI95
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It's strange because the ending of Jackie Brown gets me more emotional than any other ending of a Tarantino film. In my mind, Forrester goes after her lol
Me too. Aside from brilliant casting- it's unlike any of his other movies. The contrast. Deep and subtle at the same time- if that is even possible, lol. I can't make up my mind who I like better in that film. Pam or Forrester. Both of them are so good. She finally gets her own film and he ends with the best performance of his career.
Dude, Jackie Brown will blow anybody away that has not seen it - especially if they are Tarantino fans. It's freaking great in every way a Tarantino film is. I wish I could go back and watch it again for the first time. All of his films are classics - and all are essential viewing. They are all very much like him. Every one of his movies seems like he puts the exact same amount of himself into them. That's how fucking good he is - no matter what the movie is about.
Right Jackie brown imo had the BEST dialogue out of his entire catalogue, without the shocking violence it’s what really drives and makes the film good
I just watched it for the first time last month and just re watched it last night. Great movie. I really like Jackie Brown. The characters are what I call strong
I like all of his movies except for Death Proof. I only like that partially, there really wasn't a story in it.
I watched this film in theatre when it came out - I was living in West L.A. at the time and familiar with the scenery and locations (RIP the Cockatoo Lounge). I’m now four years older than Jackie was in the film. Even as a woman of 23 I recognised that this was a quiet movie about getting older, the fear that comes with realising that you never quite made it and what you’ll do when you feel like you’re running out of choices. At 48 and facing that feeling firsthand, each repeat viewing has only strengthened that impression. Honestly this is one of the most underrated stories about aging desperate people out there, one that neither patronises nor decentralises mature women, and I hope QT is proud of himself for having made it.
Very well said - erudite and perceptive
Well said
I really like Jackie Brown. At times, it feels more like a Paul Thomas Anderson flick than a Quentin Tarantino movie.
Interesting thought! Wouldn't have said so previously, but now that you mention it, I can see what you mean.
This film reminds me if boogie nights which is ironic because they came out the same year
@@seanchukwuezi3079 how
Unpopular Opinion: My favorite film of his. His most mature work. Great performances from legends Grier and Forrester (R.I.P) and probably Samuel Jackson's best role as a villain, so cold and ruthless and De Niro as the complete idiot. Great soundtrack as well.
I've been surprised (and delighted) at the number of people who have shared that this is their favorite Tarantino film on different forums and social media spots since publishing this video. Thanks for your comment!
It’s by far his best film!
"De Niro as the complete idiot" hehe
Jackie Brown is Tarantino at his best as far as I'm concerned
I share this opinion.
I was 15 and had been given a free ticket for the press screening at 11 am on a Wednesday morning. So I skipped school and went. 5 or 6 solo watchers in the cinema. I was blown away. The music. Pam Grier's performance. Sam Jackson at his scariest cos he seems nice and reasonable on the surface. De Niro is hilarious. Michael Keaton is so good in it. The dialogue is like poetry. The heist is so smart. I love movies when they repeat an event over and over from different angles. It's a masterpiece and one of my favourite films and I never get bored of watching it.
You skipped school to watch Jackie Brown. That must've been an amazing day and one of the best decisions you've ever made.
That boy can put together a soundtrack!
I watched Jackie Brown for the first time last night. Great film! No words can emphasis how underrated this motion picture is. The lack of tarantino style violence did not bother me at all. I was completely fixated on the characters.
Jackie Brown is a forgotten masterpiece just like Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.
Well said!
If you haven't seen this movie, do! F%#k what the critics say, it's one of his best works. One of my favorites. Great soundtrack & Robert Forester was perfection.
i love it when y'all feel like critics are these monstrous crazy & idiotic cry babies while they're just saying their opinion, jackie brown is a film with 10% the style or identity or purpose of his other films it's better than 95% of anything mankind's ever made it just flops as a tarantino flick
The critics and fans at the time got this one really wrong, they were all expecting another pulp fiction.
@@colorfields tarantino's the most obssessed about pulp fiction, so much so that he undo-ed everything from PF & made an Anti-Pulp Fiction
I freaking love this movie, even though some say this is one of Tarantinos worst movies, it's still one of my favourites
This movie is really ahead of it's time in that it seems like if he does only do 10 films then I would imagine his last one being what Jackie brown is. Truly an underappreciated flick...
I think he said in an interview that he intended jackie brown to have that vibe as a sort of gotcha for people who’d make the kind of comments like “he’s finally matured” later in his career
@@dally1398 that's spot on, because he really displays his full capabilities in Jackie Brown and it does seem more mature than any film he did after it, but still retains all of the Tarantino tropes.
Without a doubt,my favorite Tarantino fi;m.
a man of taste
I thought django was better
@@111imcool 1) Django Unchained 2) Jackie Brown 3) Reservoir Dogs
Django over pulp? Come-on
One of my favorite films period
This is my favorite of his films, it's a hang out movie and rewatching is like meeting up with old friends
It’s under appreciated. One of my favourites of his. However I can see how it’s overlooked
Yes, I understand it as well; it's certainly not as flashy or attention-grabbing as many of his other projects.
The critics really messed things up for us. Because they gave Tarantino no reason to make another movie like Jackie Brown.
his upcoming movie "the critic" might bring this subject up
good summary and interpretation of what J.Brown represents in QT's filmography. It coincides with previous interview material from the time and current conclusions about this adaptation of the Rum Punch novel. In 1997 the younger crowd and Tarantino fans were disappointed... they wanted more action and blood...in my case being in my late 30s at the time I loved it and still think it's great and smart in its composition. Also, it was necessary for Tarantino to make that change (in my opinion). Today, recognition is much greater for J.Brown... with all the information available and condensed, the audience understands the why's and reasons much better... it was a deliberate decision on Tarantino's part.
Maybe not the best, but definitley my favorite Tarantino movie.
I always thought this movie was good when I first saw it but I just watched it again after 10+ years and now I think it's amazing. I think now that I'm in my 40s instead of in my teens, the characters seem more authentic and remind me of real people I've known in life, especially Jackie and Max.
I think it’s his best film- it’s so full of human desperation and the need for survival. How dog eat dog we are- but also the fear of aging and the fear we won’t be able to survive if we don’t give it one more try.
When compared to something like Once upon a time in Hollywood, Jackie Brown is a fucking masterpiece of a movie by Tarantino
Personally never got into Tarantino movies but I am intrigued by your description of this one.
yeah, Jackie Brown is a Tarantino film without most things that he gets criticized for (which is TLDW of this video tbh :D)
@@a_shuchu_601 Seems legit. But I prob would not have believed that without seeing the examples in the video. Ahaha.
Don't get into putting things in a box, watch and judge after.
It's great
My favorite movie of his. I've probably watched it 20 times over the years. Never gets old.
Love this film. Don't know if I'd call it his "best" but it's WAY up there! I find that people who are film buffs love this film, and people who just like violent over-the-top theatrics hate it. I love his violent films too, especially when they're great (and in truth, I love EVERY Tarantino movie), but as someone said earlier in the comments - you can tell the people who really love film vs. the people who just love action, by their opinion on this one. The whole cast is perfect, but Pam Grier just shines beyond, even more so than her '70s output (which is also super fun). Thanks for acknowledging it!
Well said. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the comment!
Potentially my favourite Tarantino film. I think a lot of people disregard it because it doesn’t necessarily feel like a ‘Tarantino film’
I didn't notice he didn't cameo in this, it would've fkd with the tone so harddd haha. Also, i felt the violence off screen added to the tension in such an interesting way, like if it got any more tense you'd just want jackie to cut and run. Very much a tightrope
He DID cameo ... His voice was on Jackie's messages announcement.
This movie is a treat to watch with great music performances and it's like you are watching a smuggling right in front of you with slowness with reality and day to day life of bunch of criminals and civilians too.
My tattoo artist and I were both saying this is hands down out favorite QT movie STILL. This soundtrack too?!?!
Definitely yes---the soundtrack to this movie is incredible.
Jackie Brown was largely shot in and around the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, which is where Quentin Tarantino was raised.
Tremendous look from S Jackson in 78 Seville as he warns Max at the end . Also the choice of the Brothers Johnson song is unreal smart and classic . Joey Audino
This is a really cool video! I always wondered why I really liked Tarantino movies but wasnt as impressed by other action-blood-and-gore films. It is true that he is a really thoughful filmmaker, he just ALSO infuses a lot of action-blood-and-gore into his movies. Hopefully he comes out with another film like Jackie Brown!
Thank you for the comment! One thing that's only lightly mentioned in this video is the quality of Tarantino's writing, which I think goes a very long way toward making the gory action feel like it matters in his films---which is where so many other 'hardcore' action films fall flat. But I strongly agree with you: I wish Jackie Brown had been a bigger box office success, as then Tarantino might've felt more comfortable making other movies with that degree of maturity.
His masterpiece
My favorite Tarantino film. This, Pulp Fiction, and True Romance are certainly the three films I've watched the most times as an adult, dozens and dozens of times, and Jackie Brown is the one I never burned out on.
my favorite
Have been hearing that from many people since making the video---glad to know Jackie Brown has so many fans!
You could argue all day about which actor shines the most in this film. Not a single weak character.
One of my favorite films, definitely my favorite Tarantino film
My favorite of his films not overly stuffed with Tarantinoisms like the rest of his stuff
One of the first movies that really sucked me into the entire medium along with Pulp Fiction. But this is the one that's always truly stuck with me. It's my favorite Tarantino film hands down. Introduced me to some amazing actors and actresses while showing me how deep the director could go in terms of his storytelling. I'm glad to see other people appreciating it as much as I do!
Thanks! FIlled the void after watching it. Keep at it!
Glad you liked it, and thanks for your comment!
Opening scene sure reminds me of opening scene in The Graduate. Anyway, both are great movies, but I wonder if Tarantino was influenced by The Graduate sequence in airport.
Very interesting point! Tarantino's films are full of conscious homages to older works, so it's entirely possible that he meant to do that. But I can't help wondering what kind of thematic parallel(s) that would raise. Anyway, agreed: both are great movies.
The opening scene is very obviously an intentional homage to the Graduate.
Favorite movie of all time!
CLASSIC great break down
A very intelligent movie in all respects. Acting superb. Sound track, spot on. Plot sly, coy, mysterious. Proves you don't need ultra violence, car crashes, sexual exploit and Hollywood cliche scripts to make an A+ movie experience...thanks QT
It's my favorite Tarantino film by far for these reasons.
This is my favorite Tarantino film to date, and I'm a Quentin fan. I've enjoyed (nearly) every one of his films. Love everything Death Proof and earlier. Like Inglorious Basterds and Hateful 8 is okay. Have yet to see Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. But it's for many of the reasons you laid out that it is tops for me. The lack of a proper Q cameo not withstanding, it may be a perfect film, if not dang close.
Hands down my favorite Tarantino movie, and definitely his best. AND it's still the only QT movie ( aside from maybe Once Upon A Time ) which to feature has actual human characters and not just Cool Cartoons spouting his Cool dialogue .
My fav from QT.
Jackie Brown is a stone cold classic and a hidden gem in films. 10/10
I watched “Jackie Brown” for the first time probably over a decade ago. By then, I knew what a Tarantino film consisted of. So, I just thought the movie was okay, because it wasn’t a typical Tarantino film. I think you love and appreciate “Jackie Brown” more once you also get into Elmore Leonard. I’ve been reading a lot of his stuff lately, so I revisited “Jackie Brown” a few weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. So I think “Jackie Brown” is kind of a perfect marriage between what’s Leonard-esque and Tarantino-esque. I’ve seen the light!
Jackie Brown is one of his BEST films!!! On every level♥️ Great any time, for any mood❣️💘❣️💘❣️💘 Pam is kick ass🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I love it, I just think it is 20 minutes longer than it should. But I love it more and more each time I watch.
Another thing, Quentin Tarantino movies are known for its dialogue. He go back to any of his movies. There are several scenes with great dialogue. If I had to pick a favorite Tarantino movie, I could not do it. I like all of his works.
It’s honestly been my favorite Film of his since it came out.
I wish he had continued in the same style as JB
I never get tired of looking at Pam Grier in this movie!!!!!!!!
It’s not popular opinion, but this is easily my favorite film from him.
Two words "Pam Grier" Nothing else needs to be said. 🖐️🎤
Tarantino is master of small details with deep meanings. Haven't you noticed that almost all scenes in the movie there is a one character who wears white and black shirts given that this movie is about Blaxpoitation.
I was genuinely shocked when I realized how low people rated this flick among QT's other works. Personally, it's in my top 3.
Samuel l Jackson kinda scared me to be honest the scene where he showed up at Jackie’s house and he had that look like he had sinister intentions was brilliant on sams part. I even noticed that Jackie brown is connected to out of sight since Elmore Leonard wrote it and Michael Keaton appeared in the film as Ray
JACKIE BROWN was an underrated masterpiece. What made it so good was that he really was able to capture the vibe of ELMORE LEONARD, on screen, like few other directors before, ( only Barry Sonnenfeld came close with GET SHORTY, and that's because Elmore Leonard himself was one of the screenwriters). Easily, one of his all time best films.
Great observation! If you've seen it, what did you think of Out of Sight as a Leonard adaptation?
No, I haven't. I didn't even know that was an Elmore Leonard novel.
i just found this The Gemsbok fella... Elden Ring & Jackie Brown... i like the cut of his jib... fax!!!
Good review. I really liked this film. Like some of Tarrantino's movies I liked it better the second time, and even better the third. Few holes in this one.
Very nice recommendation of one of Tarantino's more underappreciated works. Hope more people check this out and might change a few peoples opinions on him as a Director. Well done, have dropped a sub!
Thanks for the nice comment, and thanks for the sub!
if I hear that song .... I gotta watch the movie again
Insightful. Why were so many of the images reversed?
Unfortunately, it's a necessary concession to prevent the video from facing numerous incorrect/automatic copyright strikes. I do try to avoid it for scenes containing text, though.
While I love some of the superb scenes in Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown is my favorite Tarantino film overall.
Would you potentially do a video about the Hateful Eight? I really liked that film when I first watched it back in March and I'll probably watch it again soon!
I could! But it probably wouldn't be any time soon, since I'm still working through the backlog of scripts I haven't made into videos from both the film and game series on my site.
@@TheGemsbok Well, I don't think I'll stop watching your channel until one of us is dead, so I'll be there for it!
Haha, jeez. That's pretty hardcore, man. I'll do my best to make content that lives up to that sentiment.
i simply ❤ everything about this film
I didn't really feel there is any big tension moments on this one, at least no like Hans landa in inglorious basterds or the dinner scene in Django. I felt like it was easy killing of the characters on this one and that goes for Louis or ordell. And guess what, I loved it the lightness of the murderers sat really well with me. Great video!
the ending had tension but then Ordell just died. Shouldve been a shootout or something. I hate that he just stood there and died when he was building all this hype for what hes capable of.
Really good movie enjoyed it a lot :)
What is the clip of taruntino saying "we're very rarely fair" around the 6 minute mark from?
That clip is from the movie Four Rooms. It's an anthology comedy from the mid-90s. Tarantino directed the last of the four main segments in the film, and also acted in it.
Realy underated but good
I am happy this film is on my Tarantino collection. Very nice movie!
Wish it was released now because people would rate it more. It was dropped in such an awkward time period for him.
I LOVE this movie and I've seen it at least 6 times!🔥🔥🔥
By far the best Tarantino film. Robert Forester was brilliant!
He really did put in a masterful performance as Max Cherry!
The Gemsbok Max Cherry was a true hero!
I think it helped that Elmore Leonard was great at writing quick intelligent conversations, something Tarantino is also good at.
Agreed. Well said.
In the version of the film I saw, Tucker was on the right side of the vehicle trunk while refusing to go inside the trunk. Well, everyone else in the film was on the other side as well.
Yes, unfortunately, flipping the image horizontally is a necessary concession to prevent the video from facing numerous incorrect/automatic copyright strikes. I do try to avoid it for scenes containing text, though.
"His most mature film of his career" agreed. The best in my book plus just a few more. "Mature" kinda fits, i do like some of his work, can't stand QT himself though. Nearly ruined i.e. pulp fiction and django with his total needless and pathetically bad appearances at the end of these movies ( i just wish they were "cameos" as some commented falsely, but not active roles)
This is such a cool movie. Every now and then I watch it.
Only tarantino has the balls to put de niro in such a sleazy dont matter role. Genius movie very under rated
Agreed. Well said!
By far my favorite Tarantino movie.
My favorite film, the Hollywood movie, I wasn't crazy about, now three things that bothered me about Jackie Brown, First. Opening credits, If she's late for work, why was she standing on the people mover at the airport, She was in a full sprint when she got to her airport gate, if she was late, her pace should have been quicker from the beginning on that people mover. second, I didn't think there was enough motivation for Ordell to kill Lewis in the van, Ya, Lewis saw Max Cherry, but had no idea he bailed out Jackie Brown. So it really wasn't his fault. I think in real life, Lewis and Ordell would have worked together to get the money back from Jackie Brown. Third, and this is weird, Max Cherry asks his assistant to find Ordell at the end of the movie. Well, Ordell had only two residences, the beach and in Compton, so if you remember, Ordell gave Max Cherry his Compton address at the beginning of the movie to bail out Beaumont. So why would did he have to have Ordell found? He already had his address. Best and funniest scene, Ordell trying to talk Beaumont into the trunk.
as far as i am concerned Jackie Brown is the best thing he ever did!
Since making this video, I've found that to be a surprisingly common point-of-view among the comments!
This is my fav Tarantino movie ever Dunno why everyone doesn't like it that much , baffles me Love Robert forster as max cherry. RIP I even own the book titled, rum punch And the prequel to jackie brown called the switch which was made into a movie called, life of crime with Jennifer Aniston
my favourite film top number one.
Better call Saul made me listen to Street Life, comment box told me that another movie has this track. Now I'm here getting to know that Jackie Brown is some Tarantino movie, day made!
Whats the song at 2:00 ive been looking for so long...
Strawberry Letter 23 by The Brothers Johnson
really a great movie, one of my favourite, but it's quite different from the book...anyone read the elmore leonard's book?
Like so many of his movies...I Rewatched this and voila.....it’s a phenomenal movie that grows on you. Fonda is the only performance that I skip thru. The rest is a classic film. Just think even tho she is supposed to b annoying she’s miscast. Cherry and Grier are amazing.
Can you confirm if the cropped photo was Quentin Tarantino's linking Bridget Fonda's character to Fonda's character in "Iron Maze"?
Unfortunately, I can not confirm or deny that. The IMDb page of references in Jackie Brown is actually the only thing I can find that mentions that connection.
@@TheGemsbok I read the IMDB Trivia section. No mention about the cropped photo of "Melanie"
It's not in the trivia section. It's in the connections section: www.imdb.com/title/tt0119396/movieconnections
Another reason why this film is unique to Tarantino? It’s the only film of his in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Everything else is 2.39:1 (except for Hateful 8, which is in an insane 2.76:1)
That's incredibly interesting! (Seriously.) Thank you very much for pointing that out.
Understated Tarantino is the best. The true artist.
At 3:39 Max Cherry is driving on the right hand side of the car. The clip got flipped. ;) and yes, a must watch Tarantino film. Sig Haig was also in the Foxy Brown movies. This is my favorite QT movie and ranks in my top 5.
Well spotted! Unfortunately, flipping the image horizontally is a necessary concession to prevent the video from facing numerous incorrect/automatic copyright strikes. I do try to avoid it where it would be distracting, though. (That one slipped through.)
It was my fav until I saw kill bill on my projector.
My favorite Tarantino!
This was a great movie
My favourite Tarantino movie.
Great choice!
Why’d you horizontally flip the video at 6:27 ? Obviously it can’t be a right hand drive car. I’ve just watched the movie a few minutes ago.
Unfortunately, it's a necessary concession to prevent the video from facing numerous incorrect/automatic copyright strikes. I do try to avoid it for scenes containing text, though.
I only have a small problem with the film (which probably is really a problem of mine cause I didn´t caught all the details). At the end of the movie, when Ordell goes to the bail bonds place, looking for his money, how did Jackie explained to the cops why Ordell went there in the first place? I mean, the cops thought that Ordell had all the money, so, if that were the case, why in the world would Ordell go to the bail thingy?
I didn't think of that really why ? it's A good point I cant find a way to explain it thought still a great f movie no matter what