User Score
7.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 79
  2. Negative: 1 out of 79

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  1. JamesM.
    Dec 20, 2005
    10
    Only these words, written by Roger Ebert, can accurately describe how I feel about this film (and many other films too): Those who say it is too long have developed cinematic attention deficit disorder. How on earth you could call this masterpiece of writing, directing and acting overlong and boring I have no idea. Did you have too much red cordial before seeing the movie. Sometimes audiences have no idea what they're talking about, see The Green Mile, but in this case the people are right and the critics are just plain stupid. Expand
  2. May 26, 2011
    10
    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.
  3. KyleA.
    Jun 27, 2005
    10
    His best by far. An actual "movie" rather than a collection of scenes. And what a movie it is.
  4. DanS.
    Jun 22, 2007
    9
    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 !!
  5. J.RyanG.
    Jun 17, 2005
    10
    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.
  6. JaredS.
    Oct 15, 2003
    9
    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
  7. MichaelM.
    Oct 23, 2004
    9
    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
  8. BillB.
    May 21, 2004
    10
    One hell of a film, Tarantino rules!!!!
  9. DaneS.
    Apr 21, 2005
    10
    Great film. Even better than the masterpiece novel. Quentin Tarantino's worst... but it is better than a lot of films out there!
  10. Dec 27, 2012
    10
    Easily Quentin Tarantino's most underrated film, it had hilarious scenes mixed with great dialogue and soundtrack. The acting from everyone was superb especially the more quirky ones.
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. But for all its enthusiasm, this film isn't sharp enough to afford all the time it wastes on small talk, long drives, trips to the mall and favorite songs played on car radios.
  2. 75
    Tarantino keeps things moving along nicely, with a heavier dose of humor and less violence than in Pulp Fiction, but, on the whole, this movie seems more like the work of one of his wannabes than something from the director himself.
  3. 78
    It's a straight-ahead caper flick, very cool, and very, very Seventies (although it takes place in 1995), from production and costume design on down to the soundtrack.