Being a stewardess did at some time seem like a glamorous occupation for the not yet married (but looking for that uniformed pilot hubby) girls. It must be the uniform, because a stewardess is basically a barmaid and waitress in the sky. Not that that isnt a glamorous and fun occupation, mind you! Still, it's not often a film maker decides to have a stewardess as a main character in a film. In Jackie Brown, "a Quentin Tarantino Film", Pam Grier plays a stewardess that has seen better days. She's getting by, but not without doing some money smuggling for a weapons dealer. The FBI arrest Jackie after a money run and to stay out of jail, she is prepared to help the police get their hands on the real criminal. 

That is more or less the story. You could read that anywhere, so I'll not bore you with too many details. I will tell you why you should see this film. First of all, the sound track. That was actually I watched this film with my mother and my aunt. Even though they wouldnt have seen a film as violent as Jackie Brown can sometimes be, the music made it worth watching for them. And because the main character is a woman they really did enjoy this film.

That is the other thing. The main character for me is Jackie Brown. I know that some people would say it isnt, but that is just because they are probably not female. Jackie is a strong woman, even if she has to resort to things she maybe wouldnt do if she did not feel she had to do them, to survive. Finaly not a damsel in distress, or a depressed sort of woman who does bad things because she is crazy. Jackie is sane and strong. It's so nice to see a powerful character like that and have it be female. I'll not start a feminist rant... you get my drift anyway.

Then there is the supporting cast, which is also very strong. Samuel L. Jackson, Robert De Niro, Michael Keaton and Bridget Fonda. I mean: they are all great actors who make the story complete with their skills. Each character gets a kind of depth that draws you into the story.

There is some violence, but I'd almost say it is tasteful. Violence however is never tasteful. But it punctuates the story where needed. And only when needed. The tension of the story, the suspense, are far more clever and the true drive behind the film. Not the violence.

So now you know why you should see it, if you havent already. I'll never understand why Pulp Fiction and Resrvoir Dogs got all the attention when this gem of a film is equally deserving.

5 out of 5 mice: