Analysis of Pulp Fiction Opening

Pulp Fiction (1994)

In the opening sequence of the film the audience’s expectations are not properly fulfilled and the reason behind this is because these two people look like ordinary members of the public. However basing your opinion on first look is misguiding and it’s only when you begin to listen to their conversation you notice that they live a more excitable and risky life compared to that of a normal law abiding citizen. They are sitting in the coffee shop like all the other regular people and their dress code does not stand out from the rest and look out of place when you associate them in an iconic gangster film. Your stereotypical view of what a gangster should look like is, well dressed in an expensive suit, looking slightly more upper class than all the other people. The director of the film plays around with the characteristics and codes and conventions of the genre because this is not what you expect to happen in an American gangster film. The two characters do not share the same image which you expect to see in a gangster film but their actions and behaviour certainly match. The director also leaves the audience guessing weather or not these two stock characters are actually gangsters or just ordinary tough living people who for some reason decide to rob a calm coffee shop.
The mise-en-scene is set inside a coffee shop/restaurant, this connotes a sense of security where you would expect peace and a place where people can interact with each other and socialise. However tension between both sets of people is caused when the characters decide to hold up the coffee shop and this completely disrupts the calm and friendly atmosphere and inevitably causes a dis-equilibrium. In the early stages of becoming a Gangster, their behaviour is certainly pointing them in the right direction, the use of repeated swear words and the pointing of guns convey meaning and purpose to the crime they are about to commit. The background which is used is just focussed on the two main characters and a window.
The audience is given a clear view and are able to spot the trees which connote a sense of calmness and tranquillity this helps to camouflage the characters from their true intentions by showing a neutral background. The use of weapons in the first scene shows the two characters as violent and using excessive force to get what they want, this connotes that they are tough mentally and will cause injury to the other people if they were to resist instructions and refuse to hand over the money.
The opening camera shots and angles are used to create different effects on the audience and emphasises what is happening to create excitement and tension and inevitably dis-equilibrium. The camera is positioned at a MS for most of the opening sequence, it captures both the characters facial expressions and is easy to see which person is talking and the way they shape their body to emphasise intent or anger.

Film Classification

Film Classification(BBFC) for a 15
Source: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/?info=EXLINK

E.g:
-The Godfather
-Bourne Supremacy

Discrimination
The film cannot endorse any discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs
The use of drugs may be shown but the film as a whole must not
promote or encourage the misuse of drugs. The misuse of easily
accessible substances (Such as,
aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror
Strong threat and menace are allowed unless it is sadistic
or sexualised.
Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (Such as hanging, suicide and
self-harming) should not devlve into detail which could be easily copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language
There can be frequent use of strong language (Such as
‘fuck’). The strongest swear words (Such as, ‘cunt’) may be
acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated
use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without
strong detail. There are no restrictions on nudity in a
non-sexual or educational context.

Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed aslong as it doesnt go into strong detail.
There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour,
but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable
unless justified by the context. Films whose primary purpose is
sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is
appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction
of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to
be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also
unlikely to be acceptable.
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence
but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and
have a strong contextual justification.


Film Classification(BBFC) for a 18

E.g:
-Pulp Fiction
-Scarface

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public
consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the
BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override
the principle that adults should be free to choose their
own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the
following areas:
• where the material is in breach of the criminal law,
or has been created through the commission of a
criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to
risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour,
to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of
violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use,
which may cause harm to public health or morals.
This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised
violence which might, for example, eroticise or
endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual
activity which cannot be justified by context. Such
images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in
‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined
to that category.
In the case of video works (including video games),
which may be more accessible to younger viewers,
intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and
educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer
sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may
be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’
Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual
arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material
which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex
works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish
material, sexually explicit animated images, or other
very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’
category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work
at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

What Makes A Succesful Crime Film

From the top 20 of the 50, I've watched the following:

• The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - Ranked 1
• The Godfather (1972) - Ranked 2
• The Godfather Part 2 (1974) - Ranked 3
• Pulp Fiction (1994) - Ranked 4
• The Dark Knight (2008) - Ranked 6
• Fight Club (1999) - Ranked 10
• Se7en (1995) - Ranked 13

After looking at this list, it seems that there are two key factors in making a succesful crime film, first is a non-generic plot; making itself stand out from the many other films of the genre. The other factor is to have famous actors starred in the film; this will attract the audience more, and they will have an expectation of how good the film should be.Another thing all the films have in common, is that they are very masculine, with the main characters all men, women being represented as weaker than men.

Top 50 Crime Films

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 9.2/10 (459520 votes)
2. The Godfather (1972) 9.2/10 (374378 votes)
3. The Godfather: Part II (1974) 9.0/10 (219847 votes)
4. Pulp Fiction (1994) 8.9/10 (375585 votes)
5. 12 Angry Men (1957) 8.9/10 (101329 votes)
6. The Dark Knight (2008) 8.8/10 (407174 votes)
7. Goodfellas (1990) 8.8/10 (206012 votes)
8. Rear Window (1954) 8.7/10 (107728 votes)
9. Cidade de Deus (2002) 8.7/10 (147131 votes)
10. Fight Club (1999) 8.7/10 (341543 votes)
11. The Usual Suspects (1995) 8.7/10 (244503 votes)
12. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) 8.7/10 (222012 votes)
13. Se7en (1995) 8.6/10 (249173 votes)
14. Léon (1994) 8.6/10 (177499 votes)
15. American History X (1998) 8.6/10 (200854 votes)
16. Paths of Glory (1957) 8.6/10 (40418 votes)
17. Vertigo (1958) 8.6/10 (83252 votes)
18. Double Indemnity (1944) 8.6/10 (33450 votes)
19. M (1931) 8.5/10 (35957 votes)
20. El secreto de sus ojos (2009) 8.5/10 (1907 votes)
21. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) 8.5/10 (75922 votes)
22. A Clockwork Orange (1971) 8.5/10 (175742 votes)
23. The Departed (2006) 8.5/10 (233035 votes)
24. L.A. Confidential (1997) 8.4/10 (152718 votes)
25. Rashômon (1950) 8.4/10 (35035 votes)
26. Reservoir Dogs (1992) 8.4/10 (192936 votes)
27. Ladri di biciclette (1948) 8.4/10 (24100 votes)
28. The Maltese Falcon (1941) 8.4/10 (47360 votes)
29. Some Like It Hot (1959) 8.4/10 (61139 votes)
30. Dzhentlmeny udachi (1972) 8.4/10 (1918 votes)
31. Sherlock Jr. (1924) 8.4/10 (6159 votes)
32. Touch of Evil (1958) 8.4/10 (29803 votes)
33. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) 8.4/10 (64643 votes)
34. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) 8.4/10 (148069 votes)
35. Gran Torino (2008) 8.4/10 (99445 votes)
36. On the Waterfront (1954) 8.3/10 (37360 votes)
37. The Sting (1973) 8.3/10 (59960 votes)
38. Witness for the Prosecution (1957) 8.3/10 (16029 votes)
39. Les diaboliques (1955) 8.3/10 (12754 votes)
40. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) 8.3/10 (9998 votes)
41. Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) 8.3/10 (11692 votes)
42. Strangers on a Train (1951) 8.3/10 (30839 votes)
43. Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006) 8.3/10 (1996 votes)
44. Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) 8.3/10 (2299 votes)
45. Sin City (2005) 8.3/10 (231676 votes)
46. The Green Mile (1999) 8.3/10 (176652 votes)
47. Unforgiven (1992) 8.3/10 (88221 votes)
48. The Big Sleep (1946) 8.3/10 (26452 votes)
49. Batman Begins (2005) 8.3/10 (244897 votes)
50. Yojimbo (1961) 8.3/10 (26272 votes)