Pulp Fiction Opening Restaurant Scene

An Evaluation of Pulp Fiction By Luke Watt

I think that the opening to “Pulp Fiction” is good because it is funny, takes an unexpected turn and reveals a lot more than you first may think.

 

The introduction to pulp fiction talks about robbery and holding people for ransoms, this is very much linked to gangsters which is basically what the film is about, but it does not show an organized pair of gangsters, they very much go with the flow, make a decision when it comes to it which is also shown in the introduction even though the people in the introduction are not the couple you follow through the film.

 

The introduction uses lots of two-shots to show it is a fairly private conversation between two people. They use mid shots and long shots through out to show where they are and when a third person comes over. They use a close up when he puts the gun on the table to create suspense. The sound is very normal and plain to show it is a normal day in a plain restaurant/coffee shop. 

 

The introduction does not introduce the main characters, in fact it seems that it is not linked to the main characters at all until the very last scene, by doing this it makes you want to know what happens with these characters and it keeps this from you right until the end.

 

The introduction introduces absolutely nothing about the plot and unless you watch the film very carefully it is hard to pick up the plot at all.

 

The introduction introduces the theme of gangsters by showing some fairly amateur robbers. It is showing you one end of the scale before introducing you to the upper end who are the main characters. But it does not introduce the theme of gangsters like stereotypical gangsters of today but as more mature and experienced gangsters.

 

It introduces a very laid back atmosphere until the end shot when they start shouting. There is no huge gun fight or car chase and no particular problem is made obvious. It very much undercuts expectation because you see the adverts or hear from friends that it is a film about gangsters, but the introduction is just about a pair of amateur robbers discussing whether or not to rob a restaurant/coffee shop.

 

The introduction hooks you because you want to know what happens to the couple in the introduction, whether they manage to rob the store, whether they get away, and a bit later on, how they are linked in with the main characters and story.