WTF Happened to Jackie Brown?

When Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown hit theaters in the 1997 holiday season, the film didn’t explode into the cultural zeitgeist like his previous film, Pulp Fiction, had. Unlike that film, this was more of a straight adaptation of the novel Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard and told a more linear story. To some, it was a disappointment, but in the years that followed, Tarantino’s third film came to be viewed as an underrated gem and one of the best entries in his filmography.

In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig Ito why Tarantino opted to adapt Leonard for his Pulp Fiction follow-up. We look at how 70s blaxploitation icon Pam Grier ended up in the lead and how character actor Robert Forster managed to beat on Robert De Niro for the second lead, with the iconic actor finally taking on a smaller part. We look at Samuel Jackson’s inspiration for his role, the movie’s initially cool reception, and more!

This episode is written and narrated by Mathew Place and edited by Ric Solomon. Where do you think Jackie Brown stacks up in Tarantino’s filmography? Let us know in the comments!

Jackie Brown has the following synopsis: When flight attendant Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) is busted smuggling money for her arms dealer boss, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and detective Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) want her help to bring down Robbie. Facing jail time for her silence or death for her cooperation, Brown decides instead to double-cross both parties and make off with the smuggled money. Meanwhile, she enlists the help of bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster), a man who loves her.