His best by far. An actual "movie" rather than a collection of scenes. And what a movie it is.

This was a more mature and thoughtful film than the over-praised "Pulp Fiction". Violence was treated more seriously, and Tarantino took time in this one to explore the motives of the characters. The tale was really about everyone in the tale, not only Jacki Brown. All the actors were convincing, especially Robert Forster. Bravo !!

Like the most enjoyable Sunday afternoon of your life, Tarantino's best storytelling to date unwinds slowly and gracefully, the end of the day inevitable and something to dread.

Drastically underrated. Tarantino never disappoints, and this film is no exception, as most people would like you to believe. It's not as intensely charged as Pulp or Dogs, but still is entertaining. This is just a change of pace for QT, and the only thing different is the lack of violence. Although, there is some, there's not as much as his previous films. The dialogue provides the necessary twists in the film. See it, you won't be disappointed.… Expand

The thing that makes this movie is just a couple of outstanding scenes. The Beamount scene for example, is pure genius. Perhaps overlong, and not always as engaging as Pulp or Dogs, but more so than Kill Bill, this manages to keep our attention till the very end. A must see, though just for a few scenes.

This is actually very different from Quentin Tarantino's two earlier films 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Reservoir Dogs'. First of all, it isn't nearly as violent as those films, but still has some intense brutal violence. Second of all, this wasn't an original screenplay, it was an adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel 'Rum Punch'. This really didn't differ all that much from Rum Punch, accept Jackie Brown was white instead of black. I think this different kind of Tarantino movie is actually a masterpiece! I think this is a fantastic film, with great writing, directing and especially acting (like all of Quentin's films). The story is about a middle-aged black woman Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) who is a stewardess for a crummy airline that flies from L.A. to Cabo San Lucas. When she gets caught by two police detectives Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and Dargus (Michael Bowen) for transporting drugs and money for a brutal thug Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson) she ends up in jail. When she gets out of jail on bail, an older bail bondsman named Max Cherry (Robert Forrester) who is Ordell's bail bondsman as well, falls for her. Out of jail, she must help Nicolette to catch Ordell, but if Ordell finds out her plan, he will have absolutley no problem killing her. With the choices of helping Ordell and risking going to jail and helping Nicolette and risk getting killed, she decides to play them both and work with Max to get $500,000 from Ordell, turn Ordell into the cops, and run off with the money. This film also stars Robert DeNiro as Ordell's partner in crime, Louis, Bridget Fonda as Ordell's girlfriend, Melanie, and Chris Tucker as a loud mouth petty thief, Beaumont Livingston. Great performances given in by Pam Grier, Robert DeNiro, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, Bridget Fonda and especially, Robert Forrester in the role which earned him an Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor of the Year in 1997. This film is great, and I highly recommend you see it. Although not as good as 'Reservoir Dogs' or 'Pulp Fiction', this is still going to be a memorable Tarantino film. Rent it Today (But see 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction' first). (2/27/03)… Expand

One hell of a film, Tarantino rules!!!!

Good but not his best. it had great characters and great dialogue, but the story just isnt as captivating or interesting as tarantino's other masterpieces. its good but, its not tarantino's usual works of art. I did enjoy it however, it was still a very fun movie.

Great film. Even better than the masterpiece novel. Quentin Tarantino's worst... but it is better than a lot of films out there!

If you look up Tarantino in the dictionary the meaning should be violence and stupid seventies music. The ALL-STAR cast is the only thing that saves it.

Essential Tarantino, and an original idea even if understated and shoddy. Seems indisputable here that foxy chicks doing drugs and spontaneously undressing appear in his films because he likes them there, regardless of whether artistic merit and plot continuity is served. And with this film I now strongly suspect, while admiring his insights into criminal behavior, that on some level of Quentin's life he has been a participant in his celluloid depictions and must be guilty of something. Aren't we all? If this kind of film appeals to us, that must be his point. Glad I finally figured that out. … Expand

I can certainly see what Tarantino wanted to do--explore the characters, but these characters are so incredibly mundane that it's just painful at 160 minutes. I think Tarantino realized this and just padded it out, which is why every shot in the movie is held to an absurdity, which probably made it impossible to edit to something reasonable given the lack of weight in the material. The characters are boring rehashes (a waste of great talent), the dialogue Tarantino has so much obvious talent for is mediocre and the film is a good hour too long (maybe even more). What a shame.… Expand

"Jackie Brown" is a fresh departure from Tarantino's other films (which is probably why it's the least appreciated), as it plays out mostly as a straightforward crime drama. However, all of the director's trademarks are still there - much of the movie is spent focusing on minutiae and non-progressive dialogue, though the film as a sum of parts isn't quite as fulfilling as his other features.

A more mellower Tarantino film, Jackie Brown is a faithful tribute to 70's Blaxploitation films with Pam Grier starring, still looking amazing after years. While lacking in violence, Jackie Brown's strong point is its slow but carefully written plot but only appeals to the most dedicated and the most attentive. Acting is brilliant as in all of Tarantino's films accompanied by stylish directing and smart writing.… Expand

I agree that this is a vastly underrated movie and as Roger Ebert asserts, anyone who complains that it is too long has developed cinematic ADD. Beautifully written and developed characters, suspense, believable but amazing turns and twists throughout. It is just more subtle than Reservoir Dogs and less manic than Pulp Fiction. Pam Grier is a real woman, and this is a great movie.