Jackie Brown (1997)

Detailed Summary

Jackie Brown’s Dilemma

Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) is a flight attendant for a small Mexican airline who supplements her income by smuggling money from Mexico to Los Angeles for gunrunner Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson). Her life takes a turn when she’s caught by ATF agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and LAPD detective Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) while transporting $50,000 of Ordell’s money and some cocaine, unbeknownst to her.

The Plan to Double-Cross

Facing serious jail time, Jackie strikes a deal with Nicolette and Dargus to help them catch Ordell in exchange for her freedom. However, she also crafts a plan to double-cross both Ordell and the authorities to keep the money for herself. She enlists the help of Max Cherry (Robert Forster), a bail bondsman with whom she develops a mutual respect and subtle romance.

The Mall Exchange

The film’s climax occurs in a shopping mall, where Jackie orchestrates a plan to switch the money without either Ordell or the authorities knowing. She cleverly manipulates everyone involved, leading to a tense, multi-perspective sequence where the true nature of her plan is revealed.

The Final Confrontation

After the mall exchange, Ordell realizes that he’s been double-crossed and attempts to confront Jackie. However, Max and Jackie outsmart him, leading to a deadly showdown in Max’s office. With Ordell out of the picture, Jackie and Max are left to contemplate their future.

Movie Ending

Jackie successfully outsmarts both the law and Ordell, walking away with $500,000. She offers Max a chance to join her on a trip to Spain, but he declines, choosing to stay behind. The film ends with Jackie driving off into the sunset, humming “Across 110th Street,” reflecting on her newfound freedom and the risks she took to achieve it.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, “Jackie Brown” does not feature any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

“Jackie Brown” is a crime drama with elements of a heist film, infused with Quentin Tarantino’s signature style, including sharp dialogue, complex characters, and a homage to 1970s blaxploitation films.

Cast

• Pam Grier as Jackie Brown
• Samuel L. Jackson as Ordell Robbie
• Robert Forster as Max Cherry
• Bridget Fonda as Melanie Ralston
• Michael Keaton as Ray Nicolette
• Robert De Niro as Louis Gara
• Michael Bowen as Mark Dargus
• Chris Tucker as Beaumont Livingston

Film Music and Composer

The film’s soundtrack, curated by Quentin Tarantino, features an eclectic mix of soul, funk, and 1970s music. The title track, “Across 110th Street” by Bobby Womack, is a standout piece that bookends the film, setting the tone for Jackie’s character and journey.

Filming Locations

• Los Angeles, California: The film captures an authentic Southern California vibe by shooting most of its scenes in and around Los Angeles.
• Del Amo Fashion Center: The mall where the climactic money exchange takes place is a real location in Torrance, California.

The locations contribute to the film’s gritty, urban atmosphere, grounding it in the real world.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards: Robert Forster was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
• Golden Globe Awards: Pam Grier was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, and Samuel L. Jackson was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
• BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay (Quentin Tarantino) and Best Supporting Actor (Robert Forster).

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Tarantino adapted “Jackie Brown” from Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch, making it his only film based on a pre-existing work.
• Pam Grier, an iconic figure in 1970s blaxploitation cinema, was specifically chosen by Tarantino for the role, and her casting influenced much of the film’s tone and style.
• Robert De Niro’s subdued performance as Louis Gara was a departure from his usual intense roles, showcasing his range as an actor.

Inspirations and References

• Source Material: Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch. Tarantino made several changes, including renaming the protagonist Jackie Brown (originally named Jackie Burke) and altering the setting.
• Blaxploitation Cinema: The film is a homage to the blaxploitation genre of the 1970s, particularly through its casting of Pam Grier, who was a prominent star of that era.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

They released a few deleted scenes with the DVD, offering additional context to some events without significantly altering the storyline. No widely known alternate endings exist for the film.

Book Adaptations and Differences

• Changes in Characters: In the book, the protagonist is a white woman named Jackie Burke, and Max Cherry is more prominently involved in the heist. Tarantino’s adaptation makes Jackie a black woman, casting Pam Grier in the role and altering the dynamic between the characters.
• Setting and Tone: They shifted the novel’s setting from Florida to Los Angeles, altering the tone and style to align with Tarantino’s vision.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Opening Sequence: Jackie gliding through the airport to “Across 110th Street,” perfectly setting up her character and the film’s tone.
• Beaumont’s Fate: Ordell’s cold and calculated murder of Beaumont (Chris Tucker) in the car trunk.
• The Mall Heist: The intricate, multi-perspective sequence during the money exchange, showcasing Tarantino’s knack for tension and storytelling.
• Final Confrontation: The tense showdown in Max’s office, where Jackie and Max outsmart Ordell.

Iconic Quotes

• “My ass may be dumb, but I ain’t no dumbass.” – Ordell Robbie
• “AK-47. The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherf***er in the room, accept no substitutes.” – Ordell Robbie
• “You know, when you absolutely, positively got to get away with it… you use the Jackie Brown technique.” – Max Cherry

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The use of vintage movie posters in Jackie’s apartment is a nod to Pam Grier’s earlier films.
• Tarantino included a brief appearance by Sid Haig, who starred alongside Pam Grier in the 1970s blaxploitation film Coffy.
• The trunk shot—a Tarantino signature—is used when Ordell kills Beaumont, a visual callback to scenes in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction.

Trivia

• Pam Grier auditioned for a role in Pulp Fiction but didn’t get it; however, Tarantino promised to cast her in a future project, leading to her starring role in Jackie Brown.
• The character Ray Nicolette also appears in Out of Sight (1998), another adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel, portrayed by Michael Keaton in both films.
• Tarantio filmed the mall scene in a working shopping center during business hours, capturing real shoppers in the background.

Why Watch?

“Jackie Brown” is a stylish, character-driven crime drama that showcases Quentin Tarantino’s ability to adapt and reimagine existing material. With standout performances, particularly by Pam Grier and Robert Forster, and a plot full of twists and tension, it’s a must-watch for fans of clever heist films and Tarantino’s unique storytelling style.

Director’s Other Movies

• Reservoir Dogs (1992)
• Pulp Fiction (1994)
• Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
• Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
• Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Pulp Fiction (1994)
• Out of Sight (1998)
• The Big Lebowski (1998)
• Heat (1995)
• Get Shorty (1995)