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Jackie Brown
From Quentin Tarantino, the creator of Pulp Fiction, comes Jackie Brown, a crime caper based about an attractive stewardess who supplements her income by smuggling cash into the country for an illegal arms dealer-until the day federal agents bust her.
241 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Quentin Tarantino
54 books1,768 followersQuentin Jerome Tarantino is an Academy Award- and Palme d'Or-winning American film director, screenwriter and actor. He rose to fame in the early 1990s as an independent filmmaker whose films used nonlinear storylines and stylized violence. His films include Reservoir Dogs (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Jackie Brown (1997), Kill Bill (Vol. 1 2003, Vol. 2 2004), Death Proof (2007), and Inglourious Basterds (2009).
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 1, 2014
This wasn't pure Leonard, but the script was based on his book by Tarantino. Good, very twisty, & believable. The character's motivations were understandable & logical, if disgusting in some cases.
February 24, 2018
JACKIE BROWN (2 hours 34 minutes)
Jackie Brown is in her mid-forties, but looks like she's in her thirties. She's a "knockout."
Tarantino continues to use the phrase, "beeline" on 146.
Variations of the n-word are used 29 times, mostly by Ordell. Jackie uses it sparingly, often to make a pronounced point, including breaking the fourth wall: "holding a bunch of money, looking into the camera, and saying with a smile: Gotcha n-" (198)
The word "migbht" is misspelled and published on 78.
Jager is spelled "Jaeger" on 155 and 156. Perhaps because of licensing issues?
There is a focus on "retro" seventies style and soul music.
Unique phrasing and quotes include:
"'holding in smoke' voice" (9)
"regular-Joe-type" (14)
"two grinning Cheshire cats as the balance of power rolls over her" (49)
"you-better-do-exactly-what-I-say manner" (49)
"weighs things in her mind" (71)
"a little surprised and a touch pissed at her nonchalantness" (84)
"Coffee's almost there, but not quite." (88)
"They're going at it like a couple of fuck monkeys. Almost on the fade up, Louis cums." (108)
"shark smile" (113)
"In fact, she looks like she's coming home from a date." (117)
"yellow Bic" (137)
"He doesn't like the last piece of information" (152)
"mustache like a Walrus" (153)
"half-a-million-dollar switcharoo" (162)
"Louis's hand immediately goes to his forehead and touches dampness." (181)
"hard convict look" (181)
"Melanie smiles at him, feeling the stare, but too much of a natural-born smart-ass to change." (181)
"tensely through gritted teeth:" (183)
"One; to make sure. Two; 'cause it felt good." (187)
"He slumps over- his life gone." (201)
"His face is ice, the music is LOUD." (220)
"She's cool as a breeze, smoking her brand. No music." (220)
"drops to the ground like a sack of potatoes" (222)
"dead as fried chicken" (222)
"I'll send you a postcard, partner." (230)
Jackie Brown is in her mid-forties, but looks like she's in her thirties. She's a "knockout."
Tarantino continues to use the phrase, "beeline" on 146.
Variations of the n-word are used 29 times, mostly by Ordell. Jackie uses it sparingly, often to make a pronounced point, including breaking the fourth wall: "holding a bunch of money, looking into the camera, and saying with a smile: Gotcha n-" (198)
The word "migbht" is misspelled and published on 78.
Jager is spelled "Jaeger" on 155 and 156. Perhaps because of licensing issues?
There is a focus on "retro" seventies style and soul music.
Unique phrasing and quotes include:
"'holding in smoke' voice" (9)
"regular-Joe-type" (14)
"two grinning Cheshire cats as the balance of power rolls over her" (49)
"you-better-do-exactly-what-I-say manner" (49)
"weighs things in her mind" (71)
"a little surprised and a touch pissed at her nonchalantness" (84)
"Coffee's almost there, but not quite." (88)
"They're going at it like a couple of fuck monkeys. Almost on the fade up, Louis cums." (108)
"shark smile" (113)
"In fact, she looks like she's coming home from a date." (117)
"yellow Bic" (137)
"He doesn't like the last piece of information" (152)
"mustache like a Walrus" (153)
"half-a-million-dollar switcharoo" (162)
"Louis's hand immediately goes to his forehead and touches dampness." (181)
"hard convict look" (181)
"Melanie smiles at him, feeling the stare, but too much of a natural-born smart-ass to change." (181)
"tensely through gritted teeth:" (183)
"One; to make sure. Two; 'cause it felt good." (187)
"He slumps over- his life gone." (201)
"His face is ice, the music is LOUD." (220)
"She's cool as a breeze, smoking her brand. No music." (220)
"drops to the ground like a sack of potatoes" (222)
"dead as fried chicken" (222)
"I'll send you a postcard, partner." (230)
August 2, 2017
Just got a chance to actually read this script, and I think it's wonderful. It's not the typical Tarantino gratuitous bloodbath-- the murders actually serve the plot in that they trigger the next actions, and they're not excessive. Jackie is whip-smart and the characters are fun and quirky. I also love that Tarantino calls his shots in his scripts. Most screenwriting critics fault writers for this, but as a director/writer myself, and someone who likes to attach visuals to the story I'm reading, I think it's great to be able to actually envision what the director has in mind. Now I need to read Elmore Leonard's original material!
September 27, 2021
I love Jackie Brown, it's a forever top 5 movie for me. I love Rum Punch too, the Elmore Leonard novel it's based on. And I dig QT's dialogue, truly. So I wanted to see what this looked like on the page. Everything you see on the screen is in here, but there are a few scenes that aren't and at least one of them is a real gem, a moment between Max and Jackie at the mall where they're talking about crushes on actresses. All in all, this is probably for die hards only and, I suspect, not entirely up to code as far as current screenplay format is concerned (movie was released in 1995) but if you're a fan, def check it out.
October 26, 2017
Tarantino is a great writer. Jackie Brown is definitely one of his most underrated, often overlooked films but its still one of my favorites.
January 11, 2018
i plucked the screenplay from the internet. had a lot of typos. kept me entertained none to less.
March 7, 2023
So smooth and easy to read through
April 6, 2023
Smooth like jazz. Reminds me of another time, another place baby
February 9, 2024
Film - Book Review #4
Undeniably feminist. Feels contrived and rushed in certain areas, boring in others.
Did not enjoy the film either.
Undeniably feminist. Feels contrived and rushed in certain areas, boring in others.
Did not enjoy the film either.
February 14, 2025
The script is so different from the movie, wow.
November 16, 2015
I LOVED THIS! The film is one of my favourites and so I was a bit apprehensive about reading this incase either the book or the film was ruined by the other. But the two are both so brilliant, and the script of the film so true to the book that both are equally as brilliant as each other.
The story is based around Ordell Robbie, a big-time criminal involved in gun-trafficking. But with his money tied up overseas, he recruits Jackie Burke, a beautiful air stewardess to bring the money in for him. But when she's caught, she does a deal with the state to catch Ordell. But the temptation of all that cash proves too much and Jackie devises an elaborate plan to play everyone off against each other whilst walking away with all the cash.
What I loved most about this novel was the complex plot and twists and turns which make it unclear right to the end who's done what, who's involved and what the eventual outcome will be. It is a very complex plot and in many cases this would make it really difficult to follow and the reader would get lost in a maze of detail and intricacies. But Leonard has constructed this beautifully so that it flows in such a way that, even with each new twist and turn, the reader knows exactly where we are. I think the simplicity of the language and characters really helps with this as they really counter the complex structure.
The characters are all really simple - they're all ex-cons who lead a really simple life and the writing really reflects this. They're simple beings with not too much intelligence and the life that they lead shows this. Ordells girlfriends are all a little simple but they're brilliant characters despite only making brief appearances. Louis, who Ordell relies upon, is so incompetent its funny. He's described as a bank robber and there is a great scene where he tries to rob a liquor store and it becomes very apparent why he's a failed bank robber. Its a really funny scene and really sums up the light hearted nature of the whole book.
I could write reams and reams about how much I loved this, but I won't - I'll simply say that everyone should read this as its a great book that's both funny, complex with a brilliant plot from beginning to end.
The story is based around Ordell Robbie, a big-time criminal involved in gun-trafficking. But with his money tied up overseas, he recruits Jackie Burke, a beautiful air stewardess to bring the money in for him. But when she's caught, she does a deal with the state to catch Ordell. But the temptation of all that cash proves too much and Jackie devises an elaborate plan to play everyone off against each other whilst walking away with all the cash.
What I loved most about this novel was the complex plot and twists and turns which make it unclear right to the end who's done what, who's involved and what the eventual outcome will be. It is a very complex plot and in many cases this would make it really difficult to follow and the reader would get lost in a maze of detail and intricacies. But Leonard has constructed this beautifully so that it flows in such a way that, even with each new twist and turn, the reader knows exactly where we are. I think the simplicity of the language and characters really helps with this as they really counter the complex structure.
The characters are all really simple - they're all ex-cons who lead a really simple life and the writing really reflects this. They're simple beings with not too much intelligence and the life that they lead shows this. Ordells girlfriends are all a little simple but they're brilliant characters despite only making brief appearances. Louis, who Ordell relies upon, is so incompetent its funny. He's described as a bank robber and there is a great scene where he tries to rob a liquor store and it becomes very apparent why he's a failed bank robber. Its a really funny scene and really sums up the light hearted nature of the whole book.
I could write reams and reams about how much I loved this, but I won't - I'll simply say that everyone should read this as its a great book that's both funny, complex with a brilliant plot from beginning to end.
February 10, 2017
I've read millions of these heists gone wrong, or double triple crossing small time criminals typa novels. So understandably, standards are high. This disappointed only because it comes so highly recommended, and I went into it thinking it was going to be genre defining. It wasn't. For most of the book nothing really happens. The tension doesn't quite build. It just floats along and ends with a toot, not a bang.
Not bad to read on a flight.
Not bad to read on a flight.
June 16, 2007
I love reading his screenplays. Mostly to could how many times a character uses the "n" word.
February 9, 2009
Fun to see what a favorite movie looks like on paper.
April 12, 2013
This is a screenplay-novell. If you've seen the movie then you will not get any surprises. Otherwise it is a quick, easy-read pulp fiction.
December 7, 2014
Loved it, as I love almost everything by him, and the movie was great!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews