True Romance
Despite being one of the most famous filmmakers the writing abilities of Quentin Tarantino are quite often overlooked and forgotten, focusing instead on his movies that defined the nineties.
But this week's hidden gem True Romance puts Tarantino's writing under the spotlight. British filmmaker Tony Scott directs the movie starring Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette and an ensemble cast.
When inexperienced call girl Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette) is paid to seduce comic-book-nerd and Elvis fanatic Clarence Worley (Christian Slater), she doesn't expect to fall for him.
But these two lost souls seem to be made for each other and quickly pledge their love, marrying at Detroit's city hall.
Clarence discovers some newfound bravado and attempts to retrieve Alabama's possessions from her pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman), who isn't exactly eager to let Alabama go.
Fleeing Drexl's apartment, Clarence not only leaves a trail of bodies, but also inadvertently mistakes a suitcase of uncut cocaine for one with his wife's clothing, and the chase is on.
The unlikely newlyweds head for Los Angeles hoping to sell the cocaine and make enough money to leave the country. Unfortunately, they also have to contend with the mob, yuppie drug dealers and the police.
True Romance is a fast paced exciting Romeo and Juliet tale for the 1990s not shying away from excessive violence, lurid sex, and rampant drug use all off which come by the bucket load.
True Romance was, at the time, a breakthrough for Tarantino as it was his first screenplay, however it was Reservoir Dogs that would reach cinemas first.
Tarantino shows his skill as a writer masterfully allowing the chemistry between Arquette and Slater to develop naturally. As well as producing on of the most infamous confrontations, in terms of dialogue, between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken in cinema history.
The casting of this movie is fantastic as Arquette and Slater sizzle together as the misfit couple who find love. But it's the ensemble cast of Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Gary Oldman and Val Kilmer that make the movie so memorable, you'll need to watch the movie more than once just to notice everyone.
With a mixture of witty dialogue, fast pace and great cast this is the one of Tarantino's best movies, despite the filmmaker not being behind the camera. He really should consider just penning a screenplay from time to time it's worked wonders with this movie.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Quentin Tarantino