Research into a Similar Film- Pulp Fiction

Pulp Fiction

I decided that I would research the film 'Pulp Fiction' because it contains some similar themes to what the film we are creating might contain. 'Pulp Fiction' is directed by Quentin Tarantino and also written by him and Roger Avary. Released in 1994, this film won an Oscar for best writing and screenplay and was nominated for several more Oscars. It also won and was nominated for Golden Globes, BAFTA film awards and various other types of awards.

Cast
The film had all all-star cast and was probably one of the reasons why it became as popular as it did, and still is:

1. John Travolta
2. Samuel L. Jackson
3. Bruce Willis
4. Uma Thurman
5. Harvey Keitel
6. Tim Roth
7. Amanda Plummer
8. Eric Stoltz

Are just some of the big names to be featured in this film.

Reviews

On this website there are various reviews written by the general public who have watched the film. This is a chance to see what others think about the film rather than to just read critics reviews. Here is just one review written by someone who watched the film:

'To put this in context, I am 34 years old and I have to say that this is the best film I have seen without doubt and I don't expect it will be beaten as far as I am concerned. Obviously times move on, and I acknowledge that due to its violence and one particularly uncomfortable scene this film is not for everyone, but I still remember watching it for the first time, and it blew me away. Anyone who watches it now has to remember that it actually changed the history of cinema. In context- it followed a decade or more of action films that always ended with a chase sequence where the hero saved the day - you could have written those films yourself. Pulp had you gripped and credited the audience with intelligence. There is not a line of wasted dialogue and the movie incorporates a number of complexities that are not immediately obvious. It also resurrected the career of Grease icon John Travolta and highlighted the acting talent of Samuel L Jackson. There are many films now that are edited out of sequence and have multiple plots etc but this is the one they all want to be, or all want to beat, but never will.'

This gives potential audiences a chance to see other reviews, rather than the critic's opinions, and it is more likely to allow potential audiences to see the film  based on a less critical opinionated view, for themselves.

Ratings
This film was rated an 18 by BBFC due to it containing strong language, having sex references and features strong drug use.
The MPAA gave tis film an R rating based on it having strong graphic violence and drug use. The film also contains strong persuasive language which is why the R rating was needed.

Due to only knowing about the BBFC I wanted to do some research into the different certificates of the MPAA. Mostly, I wanted to know what the certificate R was due to Pulp Fiction haven been given it. The guidelines on the MPAA webpage (www.mpaa.org) state that a film is rated an R when:

'Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counselled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.'

The R rating is in short for restricted which is what an R rated film is; a restricted film.

Storyline
On the IMDB page for Pulp Fiction, users are free to post their version of the storyline which again gives potential viewers to maybe read about the film from different perspectives:

Themes
There are various themes throughout Pulp Fiction. The main being drug abuse. There are several famous scenes throughout the film that feature hard drug abuse that are famous for the violent and awful approach that Tarantino has created, about drugs, in the film.

The most famous scene featured is when Uma Thurman's character has a drug overdose and Vincent Vega, John Travolta, tries in all his might to save her life. The scene is best described as disgusting and Thurman does a brilliant performance.

Another main theme is violence. Violence is apparent throughout the whole film and the film is known for this.