True Romance

This movie is a fantastic voyage into the mind of writer Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs). We begin in a bar where Clarence Whirley (Christian Slater, Broken Arrow) is ranting about Elvis, one of his many obsessions, which include comic books, rockabilly music, and of course, kung fu movies. He departs the bar unsuccessful and alone, bound for his birthday treat to himself, a trip to the movie theater for the Sonny Chiba triple threat.

Fate steps in, and he runs into Alabama (Patricia Arquette), a saucy call girl in a red dress, who, unkown to Clarence, has been hired for him. The two hit it off far greater than is realistically possible, and instantly fall in love. The typical idea of Geek gets the beauty queen is definitely the underlying current, however, it takes a sharp turn.

Clarence and Alabama get married, and Clarence feels that to assert himself, he must stand down her frightening wigger pimp, Drexel (Gary Oldman, Airforce One). After he kills Drexel, he also comes away with half a million in mafie coke. After talking to his dad (Dennis Hopper, Hoosers) Clarence and Alabama head across the country to unload the coke for half price in the Hollywood high class drug scene.

This movie defines the early themes of Tarantiniam ethics, and really speaks to his character, as he is much the same person as Clarence, with the sajme obsessions, and no doubt the same desires. Tarantino’s op culture theme is the driving force behind this strange romance, and is definitely stronger than in any of his other movies, which is saying something, as it is quite strong, notably in Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs.

Guest stars are everywhere, and some very powerful scenes take place, and really hold the viewer. Noteably Hopper’s speech on Sicilians and Niggers when confronted by the Mob boss (Christopher Walken, The Prophecy). Definitely a 2, though the roughest script by Tarantion, not surprising, as it was his first.