Telluride 2008 Festival
Advertisement
Sign in
Username   Password         Forgot password?
Wanna join? Tour Spout | Sign up
Find movies you'll love

Jackie Brown (1997)

Jackie Brown
Want to see it?
Seen it?
  • 0
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Rate this movie.

Want to buy it?
Write a review
addDiscuss it
Add to lists
addRecommend it
get recommendationsGet recommendations

Rent it, watch it, find it

Advertisement
Directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's 1995 Rum Punch, switching the action from Miami to LA, and altering the central character from white to black. Ruthless arms dealer Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), who lives with perpetually stoned beach-babe Melanie (Bridget Fonda), teams with his old buddy Louis Gara (Robert De Niro), just released from prison after serving four years for armed robbery. ATF agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and cop Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) bust stewardess Jackie Brown (Pam Grier), who was smuggling money into the country for Ordell. Ordell springs Jackie, but when middle-aged bail bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster) picks her up at the jail, he's attracted to her, and they choose a romantic route with detours. Mistrust and suspicions surface after Jackie pits Ordell and the cops against each other, convincing Ordell that she's going to double-cross the cops. Tarantino commented on the film's budget: "Jackie Brown only cost $12 million. You can't lose. You absolutely, positively can't lose. And you don't have to compromise." ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
[more]

Reviews and discussions

Write a review

CammmalotCammmalot My favorite ideas
by Cammmalot in Filmgaming
hasn't rated it.
"I'm coming to the table late and my ignorance of the Batman universe would truly astound so I'll spare you any false insights. I came up with the same idea as Tanski's suggestion of Michael Keaton's return to the series as the next villian. I think this would be fantastic on so many levels. Of course there are obvious ties such as his over the top performances in the likes of Beetlejuice but I'm thinking a darker more omnious psycho along the lines of Pacific Heights. Or the gum chewing bravado of Jackie Brown & Out of Sight . As for the best description of this character I loved Sammyjankis' summary: The main plot (and villain) is, of course, the Riddler. I'm imagining an older man, a former game show host who has a massive chip on his shoulder because he is the smartest man in Gotham but no one notices or acknowledges it. Thus, it isn't enough to simply pull off crimes, he must do it in a way that proves how much smarter he is than his opponents. Where the Joker saw m ... " [More]
Smooth_JSmooth_J Neo-noir, blaxploitation gangst ...
by Smooth_J in Smooth_J Blog
liked it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. [What do you think?]
 "Jackie Brown is really an overall strange movie, not in subject matter but in style and content. It's an obvious Tarantino movie, with the ghetto conversations about seemingly superfluous topics and the long, meandering narrative with plenty of plot-twists and episodes, some labeled on-screen as such. It's really enjoyable despite its 2 1/2 hour run time, which actually seems to fly by without so much as a stutter in plotting. This movie really made me realize just how great Tarantino is with story structure. Even his critics can't say that the man has such a distinctive and confident poise behind the camera, and such a grasp on the intricacies of typical story structure. He seems to be having so much fun with this movie, and effortlessly makes the story glide from plot-twist to plot-twist. It would be so funny to see what a convoluted mess this movie may have been in the hands of most other directors--but Tarantino doesn't even let you think about how extensive the plot is, h ... " [More]
leeroy711leeroy711 Re:Top 5 Uses of Split Screen
by leeroy711 in Top 5
liked it.
"[quote user="mercurial"] When done right, a scene that utilizes split screen techniques can become unforgettable. Done wrong, and, well . . . %$*@! 5.) Jackie Brown - Adds that extra something during the latter half of the film. I could switch this with Kill Bill, but I personally like the use of it here a little more. 4.) Requiem For A Dream - Used throughout the film to emphasize the effects of the various drugs consumed by the characters. I'd say it worked. 3.) When Harry Met Sally - The bedroom scene in which Harry and Sally are watching television from their own separate bedrooms but split screen to appear they are in the same bed. Amazing dialogue and just plain fun. 2.) Timecode - Four interweaving stories occurring simultaneously, each a single continuous shot. Wow. 1.) The Rules of Attractions - reinventing how a split screen shot can be made; two separate stationary to tracking shots were combined in post-production to give the illusion that they merge into a single wid ... " [More]
mercurialmercurial Top 5 Uses of Split Screen
by mercurial in Top 5
liked it.
"When done right, a scene that utilizes split screen techniques can become unforgettable. Done wrong, and, well . . . %$*@! 5.) Jackie Brown - Adds that extra something during the latter half of the film. I could switch this with Kill Bill, but I personally like the use of it here a little more. 4.) Requiem For A Dream - Used throughout the film to emphasize the effects of the various drugs consumed by the characters. I'd say it worked. 3.) When Harry Met Sally - The bedroom scene in which Harry and Sally are watching television from their own separate bedrooms but split screen to appear they are in the same bed. Amazing dialogue and just plain fun. 2.) Timecode - Four interweaving stories occurring simultaneously, each a single continuous shot. Wow. 1.) The Rules of Attractions - reinventing how a split screen shot can be made; two separate stationary to tracking shots were combined in post-production to give the illusion that they merge into a single widescreen shot. Amazing. " [More]
JakeStevensJakeStevens The Ending Of A Fantastic "Tril ...
by JakeStevens in JakeStevens Blog
loved it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
 "Initially underrated, I think in some ways, this film outshines Tarantino's previous two films. He's getting used to being a "director" and it shows - the story and characters have a warmth missing in the first two films. But it's hard for me to judge which I like best (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown). In my opinion, they all go hand in hand. Needless to say, my expectations for Kill Bill were high...too high... " [More]
smoothjazzandmoresmoothjazzandmore The Movie's Real Star Is The Mu ...
by smoothjazzandmore in smoothjazzandmore Blog
liked it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
 "Quentin Tarantino pays homage to the blackploitation era of the 70's in this film based on Elmore Leonard's novel, "Rum Punch". Unlike the book, the film's lead character is black, not white. That change actually enhances the movie, making it more authentic. Pam Grier gives a Oscar worthy performance as the flight attendant hooked into a dangerous plot. Robert Forester gives one of his best performances of his career as bail bondsman, Max Cherry. Couple that with an all-star cast featuring Robert DeNiro, Michael Keaton, Bridget Fonda and Samuel L. Jackson. But what makes this film shine is the music. Fans of late 70's soul music will be asking for the soundtrack. Though a notch below Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, Tarantino's "Jackie Brown" still delivers the goods! Very Good Film! " [More]
BearSuitBearSuit really grows on you
by BearSuit in BearSuit Blog
loved it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
 "this movie was like a new album by a band that you've loved for years. you get high expectations because of past work but the you hear it and think, 'this is just okay.' that's what Jackie brown was like for me. but a lot of those albums that i described i would still listen to. and when i heard in the right mood, something clicked. and you think, 'wow, this really is genius.' i thought jackie brown was mediocre at best until two years later. this review might be boring, but i don't care, i just wanted to write what i thought of a movie that i now hold in a higher regard. " [More]
JimBellJimBell Jackie Brown
by JimBell in JimBell Blog
lost interest.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
 "Jackie Brown (1997) is a Quentin Tarantino classic from an Elmore James noir novel. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, who is, of course, excellent, Robert DeNiro, who underplays his sidekick role admirably, Bridget Fonda, who is a quintessential bimbo who thinks she is smart, and, most importantly of all, Pam Grier who, as Jackie Brown, radiates “woman” in every scene. The movie is full of black dialogue, jargon, and swearing, which, credit to the audio guys, is comprehensible. Typically, people get blown away like popcorn in a gale, and who cares. The message, as Jackie outsmarts them all, is that to get out of the ghetto—which we never see her in—a girl has to do what she has to do to keep alive—lie, steal etc. Strong performances in a second-rate movie.Jim Bell " [More]
HairyLimeHairyLime Outta Sight
by HairyLime in HairyLime Blog
loved it.
Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
 "Been a big Elmore Leonard fan for a while, and had read the book this was based on when it was first released. At the time, I really felt that this would make a great movie, but when the movie came out, I was initially disappointed in the casting, and on the first viewing in '98 I was underimpressed. Not really fair to the movie, as I have a tendency to get disappointed in most adaptations that I grow attached to beforehand. I felt Jenifer Lopez was a bad choice for the female lead, and overall, the great story got back seat to the romance angle.Recently got a chance to revisit this one and it has gotten better with distance. A lot of casting in the minor roles is brilliant, from Don Cheadle to Catherine Keener to Luiz Guzman to Ving Rhames, to Michael Keaton (actually playing the same character he played in another Leonard adaptation, Jackie Brown), and an absolutely hilarious Steve Zahn. The direction and screenplay are crisp and snappy and moves along at a nice pace, employi ... " [More]
RisseladaRisselada Top 5 movies where the title is ...
by Risselada in Top 5
loved it.
"Name your top 5 movies where the title of the movie is the name of the main character in the movie. I'm going to be strict about it. The title has to be the main characters name, and that's it. So as much as I might like to say Ernest Goes to Jail, I can't because "Goes to Jail" isn't part of his name. I don't care if the title is the person's whole name or just part of it. I don't care if it's their real name or their nickname, if you can convince me the entire title is something you would call the main character. Ok, so enough of me being picky. Hopefully you'll still enjoy this. Here's what I've come up with. 1. Henry Fool. What is poetry? Check this movie out. Hal Hartly has apparently just made a sequel which is titled after Parker Posey's character Fay Grimm. 2. Barton Fink. Struggling screenwriter. It seems like some of the things dealt with in this movie aren't that far from Henry Fool. 3. Amadeus. I didn't realize this when I started, but my first three movi ... " [More]
[More reviews]
Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
liked it.
Director Quentin Tarantino's first full-length feature after 1994's phenomenally successful Pulp Fiction is every bit in the same class as his previous two films, and cements his status as a director of genuine style, intelligence and, in this case, warmth. A more subdued, character-driven affair than Fiction, the film was criticized by some for its generous length, but the superlative cast keeps things afloat. The director's knack for unearthing neglected performers continues: Jackie Brown resurrects Pam Grier, veteran of such venerable blaxsploitation films as Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974), as well as TV staple Robert Forster, who would receive an Academy Award nomination for his work. Tarantino affirms his talents as a scenarist as well, turning in a sparkling update of Elmore Leonard's novel Rum Punch. ~ Matthew Doberman, All Movie Guide
Tags: crime , tarantino , bailbondsman , drugs , doublecross
View all
 

Community ratings

mavens
Spout mavens
are neutral about it.
most people
Most people
are neutral about it.

Other opinions

Risselada
Risselada
loved it.
HairyLime
HairyLime
loved it.
JakeStevens
JakeStevens
loved it.
frantik_ninja
frantik_ninja
is not interested.
dog99world
dog99world
is not interested.
lopezdash
lopezdash
is not interested.
Movies
Search movies
In theaters
Coming soon
New on DVD
Coming to DVD
Trailers
Downloads
People
Search people
Find friends
Mavens
What's a maven
Most active
Top bloggers
Top listers
Taggers
Groups
Search groups
Create a group
Genres
Discussions
Popular groups
List activity
Most movies
Most talkative
Reviews
Write a review
Spoutblog reviews
Community reviews
Maven reviews
Podcast
Subscribe
News
Lists
Hollywood
Classics
Indie
Interviews
Festivals
About us
Jobs
Advertise with us
Promoting your film
Contests
SpoutNews
Newsletters
Contact us
Media contacts
Feedback
Customer care
Become a Spout tester
Movies
New movies , classic movies, blockbusters and independent films are all fair game in our movie community. Writing movie reviews, watching movie trailers and getting recommendations from our movie ratings is a game to us. The goal? Finding new movies to love.
Yeah toast!
Privacy
Help
Tour
Site map
© 2008 Spout LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide.