Introduction
Several movies throughout history have tremendously impacted the film industry, forming examples for specific genres. Understanding such works’ properties and analyzing the unique qualities that shape their overall appeal is essential for film studies investigations. An instance of such iconic creation is Pulp Fiction, a remarkably famous motion picture that follows the ideas of the gangster genre while making a distinct and inspiring impression on the viewer. In this paper, Pulp Fiction will be analyzed from the standpoints of genre theory, presenting it as a prominent example of gangster films and describing the work’s design techniques and general impact.
Pulp Fiction within the Genre Theory
Pulp Fiction was directed by Quentin Tarantino, one of the well-known auteur creators, and co-written by Roger Avary. Released in 1994, the production was quickly recognized by the audience and critics as an outstanding comedic gangster film, comprised of several stories revolving around the subjects of crime, narcotics, and sophisticated philosophical themes. The film’s events follow the stories of two criminal partners working on an assignment for their boss to retrieve a mysterious briefcase (Tarantino, 1994). As the picture unfolds, the two protagonists encounter other characters, often with displays of violence and black humor, leaving the viewer to contemplate the nature of the briefcase (Tarantino, 1994). Overall, the production portrays the flow of criminal life, its complications and commonalities.
To uncover the underlying characteristics of multiple works and estimate their significance, scholars utilize a broad approach known as genre theory. This practice is beneficial for classifying numerous productions into separate categories enveloping determined film elements and design features (Goodykoontz et al., 2011). The genre theory is particularly efficient for the examination of this piece, as it allows to highlight its standard and extraordinary qualities. As such, Pulp Fiction is an iconic representation of gangster and crime movies that address the topics of felony and violence (Polan, 2019). These works often explore the lives of organized crime members, for example, mafia corporations or mob bosses. In the movie described, the narrative encompasses various situations that transpire with such individuals, namely partners in crime, the mob boss and his wife, and several other representatives of the criminal world. Furthermore, as most gangster films incorporate instances of illegal activities, drugs, and displays of power through weaponry and violence, Pulp Fiction follows a similar storyline (Polan, 2019). During the scenes, most characters perpetrate brutal endeavors, such as threatening behavior from Jules and Vincent, and commit multiple felonies. Altogether, the work is highly reminiscent of gangster and crime cinema, utilizing similar story details.
Devising a Masterpiece
Design elements implemented in the motion picture are especially valuable for the movie’s overall flow, as they help to immerse the audience into the story. Tarantino and the film’s cinematographer Andrzej Sekuła employ a set of techniques to focus the viewers’ attention on particular details, thus completing the work’s narrative. An example of excellent use of mise-en-scène attributes is the frame’s composition, which places the characters and the objects within the scene in their determined locations (Goodykoontz et al., 2011). In the interaction between Butch Coolidge and Marcellus Wallace, the camera focuses entirely on Wallace’s back of the neck, compelling the audience to contemplate the mystery surrounding this individual. In addition, such introduction depicts the crime boss as a dangerous and influential character.
Another outstanding feature of this production is the editing strategy employed. Tarantino allows the viewer to perceive the dynamics of the situation by changing the transition speed and intensity of cuts when presenting fast and thrilling moments. The overdose scene is a remarkable example of masterful editing, as the cuts become more frequent and focused exactly before Mia is injected with adrenaline (Wu et al., 2018). By implementing swift shifts of focus from the woman to the needle, the author highlights the significance of the situation and the danger surrounding it (Wu et al., 2018). Moreover, the shots used brilliantly represent the physical locations, simplifying the process of spatial orientation. In the shot with Vincent and the drug dealer, Tarantino (1994) manages to present an uninterrupted sequence by placing a mirror in the background. Thus, the viewer can observe both characters at once, which adds to the work’s fluidity and reduces the number of cuts necessary. Masterful implementation of editing strategies dramatically benefits the work, producing the desired impression.
Cultural and Professional Value
A film’s popularity is often deeply connected with its cultural and societal influences. Pulp Fiction is a magnificent example of widely recognized cinematography, known to people of various backgrounds and social statuses. The movie received tremendous attention from the public and the film industry professionals, who quickly evaluated its potential, both from cinematic and cultural perspectives. This work significantly impacted society’s notions of gangster movies, presenting outlaws as intelligent and powerful characters (Polan, 2019). Instead of following a typical pattern and picturing mob members as immoral and lacking a determined purpose, Tarantino uncovers their true nature by depicting other distinct characteristics: ordinary day-to-day conversations, dancing, and philosophical thinking (Polan, 2019). In this world, criminals do not simply engage in illegal activities but have unique qualities that make them charming and understandable, rather than distant and extremely dangerous. Mia Wallace is a perfect example of how Pulp Fiction changes the overused concept of a boss’s wife, attributing to the personality of a powerful and independent woman (Tarantino, 1994). By altering an approach introduced by crime movies, Tarantino shapes a novel view of felons, in which the audience becomes invested in seemingly negative characters.
The new style of storytelling largely affected the film industry, allowing other directors to construct more dynamic and engaging narratives. In this original wave of gangster cinema, criminals become highly sophisticated and revered characters who examine the hardships of life and combine elements of philosophy and violence (Barrowman, 2019). Such works as The Big Lebowski and Fight Club pursue corresponding topics of felony, story connectedness, and distinguishable storytelling, appealing to the audience’s demand for interactivity and upholding Tarantino’s legacy. Altogether, Pulp Fiction made a longstanding impact on popular culture and cinematography, forming an alternative view of criminals and suggesting additional strategies of story presentation.
Conclusion
To conclude, the film Pulp Fiction, an iconic example of a gangster movie, was thoroughly investigated in this paper. The genre theory proved to be exceptionally useful for this discussion, offering a scientific perspective on the features of crime and gangster motion pictures, allowing us to compare these works. Created by a well-known auteur director Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction combines the primary attributes of gangster cinema and further improves the principles of storytelling and filmmaking by introducing a unique perspective on crime. Implementing distinct composition of the frame and utilizing diverse cuts and transitions is a distinctive feature of this work, which constructs a comprehensive and engaging narrative. Furthermore, the unconventional storytelling strategy appears to have significantly affected both cultural and professional aspects of the film industry, viewing criminals and their activities from a positive perspective.
References
Barrowman, K. (2019). “English, motherfucker, do you speak it?”: Pulp Fiction and the future of film-philosophy. JOMEC Journal, 13, 11–29.
Polan, D. (2019). Pulp Fiction. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Tarrantino, Q. (1994). Pulp Fiction. [Film]. A Band Apart.
Wu, H.-Y., Palù, F., Ranon, R., & Christie, M. (2018). Thinking like a director: Film editing patterns for virtual cinematographic storytelling. ACM Transactions on Multimedia Computing, Communications, and Applications, 14(4), 1-22.