What is your favorite Quentin Tarantino film?
Arguing over Quentin Tarantino’s greatest cinematic masterpiece is often a topic of heated discussion among film buffs. While many, including yours truly, would nominate “Pulp Fiction” for the crown, due to its groundbreaking narrative structure, a number of his other films make for strong contenders.
The Long Journey of “Jackie Brown”
“Jackie Brown,” Tarantino’s successor to “Pulp Fiction,” initially did not bask in stellar reviews following its 1997 release. According to Samuel L. Jackson, this was due to audiences expecting another “Pulp Fiction.” Jackson has noted, “The problem is, it wasn’t Pulp Fiction 2. It was a great movie. Possibly a better movie. But it wasn’t Pulp Fiction 2.”
Reappraisal of “Jackie Brown”
Despite its rocky start, “Jackie Brown” received critical reappraisal and is now recognized as one of Tarantino’s finest films. It showcased stellar performances from Pam Grier and Robert Forster, in addition to magnificent appearances from Robert De Niro and Jackson.
James Gunn and Brian Koppelman Weigh In
In a recent exchange on Threads, director James Gunn responded to a “Jackie Brown” screenshot from fellow director Brian Koppelman, claiming it as Tarantino’s most underrated and perhaps his best. Koppelman counter-argued, ranking it as 4th or 5th remaining a fantastic movie nonetheless. Further, Gunn confessed that he did not know of any filmmaker friends who ranked “Jackie Brown” lower than #1 or #2 in their personal list of Tarantino’s repertoire.
Gunn’s Tarantino Favorites
When asked about his top Tarantino films, Gunn ranked them as follows, “Jackie Brown,” “Pulp Fiction”, “Kill Bill”, and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”- rest followed after these. Meanwhile, my personal selection would equally consist of the top four but in an altered sequence, adding “Reservoir Dogs” to complete the top five.
Is “Jackie Brown” Tarantino’s Magnum Opus?
The question roams around, is “Jackie Brown” Tarantino’s most outstanding achievement? Perhaps it is, and there’s a convincing case for it—it is in strong competition for having the best opening credits of any Tarantino film.
The final verdict may vary from person to person. But it’s clear that “Jackie Brown” is a Tarantino film deserving of high recognition. If you’re inspired to have a go at a Tarantino movie marathon or just a night of top-notch films, check out HITPLAY’s compilation of Tarantino’s best works and other curated movie and TV show collections.
