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(out of 5)

Independent film became a truly commercial entity when Quentin Tarantino’s brilliant drama hit the big screens and took audiences by storm. It’s an epic piece about low-level gangsters, a tribute to the penny-paperback stories that fill seedy imaginations in the back of used-book stores (yes, it’s really that potent). The film is a trilogy of three stories that connect in mysterious ways by the time they’re over, mainly dealing with two thugs (John Travolta reviving his career, Samuel L. Jackson jump starting his) and their various assignments around Los Angeles working for their tough-as-nails boss (Ving Rhames). The first story, where Travolta takes Rhames’ wife (Uma Thurman in a bubbly performance) out dining and dancing, is the most enjoyable and delightful. The violence is not for the faint at heart, but anyone who enjoys excellent characters, exceptionally tense drama and brilliant dialogue will not want to miss this movie.

Miramax, A Band Apart, Jersey Films

USA, 1994

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Story by Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, Screenplay by Quentin Tarantino

Cinematography by Andrzej Sekula

Produced by Lawrence Bender

Production Design by David Wasco

Costume Design by Betsy Heimann

Film Editing by Sally Menke

Academy Awards 1994

Cannes Film Festival 1994

Golden Globe Awards 1994