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Jackie Brown (1997) - the most romantic kiss in movie history

 I would like to label "Jackie Brown" (1997) as one of my 'perfect movies'. I would like to. While I think it is Quentin Tarantino's best work, I find one stand out flaw in the writing + directing (both of which QT is responsible for) that knocks it off that stage. How can a man responsible for such a number of cinematic triumphs mess up the denouement so badly.

The opening offense is: 

  “Look out, Ray! He has a gun!” (-Jackie Brown)

Then there is some nonsense about [is he dead], [did you call the police], and [marked bills].  Some tsking and tasking.

The scene closes with: 

  "Ray? Remember when you said you hoped you'd get him before he gets me?" (-Jackie Brown)

  "Mm-hmm." (-Ray Nicolette)

"Well, you did. Thanks." (-Jackie Brown)

{End scene}

This last bit is a call back to an ominous comment by Ray as he is suspicious Jackie is holding out and messing with him.

For a tense thriller it is like having your buddy next to you in the theatre who has seen this thing twice before explaining to you what is going on in the film. 'Shut up Steve - I can see it myself - it is not necessary for you to narrate for me - and you hogged the Junior Mints'. *sigh

This in-dialog narration is insulting. You have spent 2 hours of this movie treating your audience as intelligent adults. You have strung them along in a heist which is brilliantly shot and skillfully character driven. And then - just in case they missed it - you wrap it up with a page torn from a 4 color paint by numbers activity book.

I will say, that Quinten tries and redeem this foul with the follow on [Goodbye scene] - in which Pam Grier gives Robert Forester a 'goodbye' kiss. This may be the most romantic thing ever captured on film.

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