An analysis of Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film. Support Renegade Cut Media through Patreon. / renegadecut ~-~~-~~~-~~-~ Please watch: "The Fountain - Renegade Cut" • The Fountain - Renegad... ~-~~-~~~-~~-~
I've always had the interpretation the film is partially about religion, and different aspects of it. Jules = Believer Vincent = Non-Believer Butch = the Ignorant All 3 have "miracles" happen before their eyes, and all 3 react differently. Jules accepts it as an act of god, Vincent rejects it, and Butch just doesn't care or is unaware. Maybe the title is even a tongue and cheek reference, saying the bible/other religious texts are like "pulp fiction".
Jules = Galahad Vincent = Lancelot Mia = Guinevere Butch = Mordred Winston "The Wolf" = Merlin Glowing briefcase = Holy Grail Marsellus = King Arthur Or so I've heard.
Sean Rosen Mordred and Arthur kill one another, Mordred doesn't save Arthur, and Morganna would be a part of it. This theory can be seen, because in an ensemble, with a quest, its easy to see Camelot themes. Also, Lancelot and Guinevere are lovers, which doesn't happen in Pulp Fiction. Also, Perceval actually finds the Grail in many Arthurian stories.
Jule's journey is to become a better person and succeeds. Vincent's journey is to become an enlightened person and fails. Butch's journey is to leave his old life and succeeds.
Pumpkin: "Is that what I think it is?" Jules: "Yes." The briefcase is, "what I think it is." Therefore, to say it is a soul, if you believe that, is correct.
I agree that the briefcase is entirely unimportant ... so why did you spend 7 entire minutes talking about it? The part at the end was really good, about it actually being an anti-violence film; and that part could have been elaborated upon further.
***** just saying, the other point towards the end was much more interesting and would easily have made center topic for the entire vid. Overall I enjoyed it though
75rmc75 In the actual, re-organized chronology of the movie, the entire deal with the briefcase was already resolved before Butch even accepted Wallace's offer. Butch is introduced to the film exactly at the time that Vin and Jules return the case to Wallace, mission accomplished-like.
I feel the mystery itself is rather important to the film, just not the actual identity of what's in it. it's something that's so fascinating, so defining about the movie, and what tarantino was doing with it that's what makes the 5 minutes spent discussing it important. Additionally, it's something that so perfectly represent a lot of what makes this movie so well done that it warrants discussion.
Renegade Cut you did a great job of that. The aspects of film that you focus on in your analysis are consistent in your reviews though they vary based on the film itself.
The briefcase is a McGuffin to drive the plot forward. Its contents are important to certain characters but not to all of them...certainly, not Bruce Willis' character. Though the color of the briefcase contents -- gold -- also reflects the watch which Bruce returns to his apartment to retrieve, a Gold Watch.
When I first saw the movie I thought the glow from the briefcase was a literal little light meant to illuminate. I thought there were drugs inside because of Vincent’s reaction to it
Although I'm not seriously saying that the briefcase contains Marcellus' soul, I think that I can play devil's advocate to that effect. The film, like most Tarantino films, is set in a stylicised world that sometimes holds elements of magical realism. Pai Mei in Kill Bill is immortal, there are Aztec vampires in From Dusk 'Till Dawn. People in this world could know what a soul looks like, and being aware of it doesn't necessarily make you a believer. If soul is nothing more than an object that can be put in a briefcase, then there's no need for religious belief over it. You don't need God to explain it. It's an object somehow metaphysically tied to its owner's consciousness, and that's it. But, in spite of all this, I'm just going with Tarantino's own explanation -- it's a McGuffin without any real answer.
One theory of the brief case is the diamonds from Reservoir Dogs, Mr Pink got away at the end, offloaded the diamonds to Marcellus Wallace via Brett and hid out as a waiter, hence Steve Buscemi's small cameo.
The briefcase is the mcguffiest McGuffin of them all. Just one of the many elements that make this film so very enjoyable on so many levels. When I first saw it when I was a kid (like 12 or 13) I drew the glorious conclusion that it was gold inside the briefcase XD why gold? well, because of the shining glow of course! Yeah... only much later I realized that my gold theory would also mean that everyone lifting and carrying the briefcase would have superhuman strength. Especially Vincent doing that neat flip with the briefcase so that it's not upside down before he puts it on the kitchen counter to open it ^^
I thank you for making this channel but every time I watch your review of a movie I watched when I was young I keep saying the same thing. How did I miss that? lol
A bit disappointed that you spent half the review denouncing a fan theory which you implied was stealing the spotlight from more interesting discussion of the movie. The main points and arguments could have been compressed into half a minute, saying that it's explicitly meant to be a macguffin.
I'm actually glad he did, as it is a pointless and annoying fan theory that won't die. It's also annoying how a lot of people will say the briefcase and its retrieval is the main story of the movie, while it isn't at all, nor is it even a major plot point. It's a jumping off point, propelling the story forward, and a nice call back at the end. Nothing more. Integral, in a way, to the movie, but easily substituted.
Late to the game but the entire is about redemption, as you state in the final line. It feels like that thread could have been pulled on a little harder here - every character who 'redeems' themselves lives and those that don't (Vincent) end up dead.
Did anyone ever notice the bullet holes are already in the walls of the hotel room where Vince and Jules kill the guys who stole the briefcase? It means the guy who ran out of the backroom fired blanks. Unless this is a continuity error it means that Vince was right to be skeptical and Jules' belief was false. But the belief is enough to save him anyway.
3:55 The existence of a soul doesn't necessarily prove the existence of "God" (the Judaeo-Christian-Muslim one). Souls exist in most religions that have an afterlife. A soul could indicate that any of these religions are true, or none of them actually. It only proves souls exist. Your overall point still stands, I just wanted to clarify and point out this minor logical mistake.
Berta Vierlein It sounds like you are projecting your own unreasonable and unyielding views on the subject onto Vincent, with the exception that you hold the position _opposite_ to his. Also, regardless of whether you love the soul theory or not, that doesn't change the fact that there is nothing to substantiate. But maybe you won't believe because you choose not to, I couldn't say.
Wonderful analysis and thank you for debunking the Marcellus Wallace Soul Theory. Perhaps this is a simplistic point of view but it was my theory that the theme of the film is that if you choose a life of crime you will suffer a short violent existence. I've heard people claim that it's a purposefully Pro Christian film but in my opinion that theory doesn't hold up. Jewels quoting scripture led him to deep interpretive thought about the scripture itself therefore the scripture and or Christianity was simply a catalyst of change for Jewels to find redemption but it is not implied that it is the only catalyst for positive change and redemption.
Great analysis as usual. I realize the whole briefcase debate is a bit of a moot point. However, I have to say that I've always seen it as the diamonds from Reservoir Dogs. Quentin Tarantino seems to enjoy weaving his films together and as you mentioned it was originally meant to be diamonds. Thanks for keeping good film analysis alive!
I really disagree with anyone who watched Pulp Fiction and said "There is no messages in this film". Watch it again, Samuel Jackson's characters are the message for you! Loved your video btw
nope, its his girlfriend's gold sequined glittery lingere'. Without a doubt, his most prized possession, and something to behold, no one dare put hands on.
Gotta be shiny gold on what we see The gold is mirror like so you see yourself in gold if you look into it. The briefcase has an internal light that turns on when opened
honestly parts of pulp fiction almost feel like a collaberation between Tarentino and Lucas... perhaps its just because they both have such a fondness for blood used artistically and meaningful events in films
I have used hundreds of tracks for my videos. You are going to have to be more specific. Most come from a paid subscription service RU-vidrs use called Epidemic Sound.
Butch is only in one of the three stories and Jackson was the best character in the movie, his chemistry with Travolta was the heart of the movie and had more scrreen time than Butch who was clearly a subplot character.
Now you have a selling point about they're not being a soul in the briefcase now I can come back that with people that has Souls can understand what it is with Vincent and give me easily explained by saying his time was near at an end so he stayed skeptical
I always felt the Jules and Vince were the main characters. Both hit men were not "built " for the lifestyle. Being tired of the life causes Jules to turn to religion. Vince was in denial and abused drugs to cope. If you notice Vince makes too many deadly mistakes while being a hit man. He doesn't clear the room properly, he mishandled his gun twice in the film which lead to his death. Jules would have dropped Vince after the first scene for the costly mistake he made but kept working with him anyway. Both are showned in the beginning and ending of the film. I see both going through a transformation and both die in the end. I believe Jules is dead due to the blood in blood out creed crime orgs have. Jules isn't seen in the Butch story because he and Vince have already delivered the briefcase and Jules wanted out, which he said in the diner scene.
The best theory I've heard about "what's in the briefcase" is that it's violence. Obviously this is kinda abstract but it makes some sense based on how people respond to it. People who revel in violence, or at least are willing to use it for their own ends find it beautiful and desire it. After Jules begins rejecting violence he says that the briefcase "doesn't belong to him anymore" (or something similar, its been a while). I like this theory because it actually looks at some of the themes of the movie rather than trying to find a literal truth.
I’m frankly very disappointed. You once said that Room 237 was “the standard by which analysis on The Shining should be held” and that movie made a point to present outlandish theories in a strictly objective manner. You have in the past discussed more far-fetched theories without the bile you express for the soul briefcase. Is it just because that just happens to be a very well known and popular theory? Are you OK with theories just as long as they don’t become popular?
+Leon Thomas Fair enough. The quote came from a question you answered on your Tumblr though admittedly it took me a while to find, haha. If anything, I don't pretend you agree with the theory, I'm rather fond of it since it was the first film theory I heard, it was the aggressive tone you used, as opposed to your usual calmer demeanor, while discussing it that tickled me off and I hadn't noticed the shift of focus on your videos since I mostly view them out of order. I could defend defend the theory but that's besides the point. I do think whatever other people consider to be true shouldn't affect how you approach an idea though that might be idealistic.
Ermm.....Wasn't there a theory that the briefcase contained something RADIO-ACTIVE...hence...THE GLOW???!! PLUS I quite Like the idea that it contained the Big Man's SOUL. It's a ROMANTIC, SURREAL METAPHYSICAL Notion in a film crammed full of GRITTY SWEARING...VIOLENCE...BLOOD & DRUGS. It makes a Nice CONTRAST. Probably TARANTINO's GREATEST Film....closely followed by JACKIE BROWN (his most GROWN UP movie) & RESERVOIR DOGS his most VIOLENT). 👍👍👍😍😍😍🤩🤩🤩 And Apart from a RIP-ROARING Script for FROM DUSK TILL DAWN - The rest of his Films have been just JUVENILE CRAP.👎👎👎💩💩💩
Renegade Cut jesus Man, sorry. This is one of my favorite RU-vid channels, a lot of quality content. So seeing a video that lacks the quality from 99% of all your videos is just odd. Just take critisism that can help sir.
