Pulp Fiction discussion

I recently saw this movie adapted by Matthew F. Jones from his own novel and directed by David Jacobson. It seems to have received some bad reviews but from a pulp fiction perspective I had a good time and I definitely recommend it and the author to fellow like minded group members.

Synopsis: Charlie Rankin, recently released from prison, seeks vengeance for his jail-house mentor William "The Buddha" Pettigrew. Along the way, he meets the ethereal, yet streetwise, Florence Jane. They embark on a unlikely road trip, careening towards an unlikely redemption and uncertain resolution.

It plays out like hillbilly noir directed by David Lynch and that may be where it lost people. It borders on to being a little too surreal and a little too vague to appeal to the general cinema going public.

For me so much of the surreal element is underplayed that you're left scratching your head wondering what was in Stephen Dorff's mind and what was real. I can't commit to having understood what was going on for large parts of the plot but there's an addictive and mesmerising quality to the film that leaves you watching the hillbilly train wreck.

Unexpected from the director of Dahmer, this is one of those rare movies chosen by Stephen Dorff that doesn't suck the pleasure out of watching from the second you press play and also features Willem Dafoe at his usual high standard and an almost constantly semi-naked Michelle Monaghan.

I enjoyed this movie so much that I immediately ordered his novel A Single Shot which comes with a foreword from the incredibly talented Daniel Woodrell.