Reservoir Dogs is one of the main reasons that I keep going to Sundance every year.  This movie along with Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Requiem for a Dream, they’re the standout gems that I hope to find every time I watch something by a director I’ve never heard of.  Of course, I was eight in 1992 when Tarantino’s first film debuted there, but I’m certain there are more out there to be discovered.

The majority of the dialogue was written by Quentin Tarantino himself, with the exception being the occasional voice over we hear from a 70s radio host which was penned by Roger Avary (who went on to write Beowulf).  The words are a credit to QT’s genius.  He manages to capture every day coversations, make them interesting, and involve them in his not-so-every-day story.

Before I summarize the plot, I’d like to give you the plot synopsis found on the back of the DVD which I bought in St. Petersburg, Russia so you’ll have a better understanding:

After a unsuccessful robbery of jeweller shop in the appointed place survived participants of a robbery gather.  One policeman from them but who do not know.  in film we learn(find out), how operation prepared, all characters will be described.  We learn(find out) who were a police an.  Quentin Tarantino, the script writer and the director, has created powerful a picture.  It has presented us a slice of the present life, and has shown human mutual relation of people.

If that wasn’t detailed enough for you, I’ll explain.  A group of robbers, named only after colors, Mr. Pink, Mr. Brown, Mr. White, etc., etc., unsuccessfully rob a jewelry store.  Some are killed, some are horrifically wounded.  They meet back at a warehouse trying to figure out the best course of action.  It’s clear they’ve been set up and the majority of the movie is based on the dialogue in this warehouse, with occasional short flashbacks to other places.  I’m not sure what significance this film holds, how it helps me understand society, or if I’m better for watching it, but it doesn’t matter.  Whether you enjoy the film or not, you’ll be completely sucked in to this gritty, hilarious, and graphic world.

A stellar cast certainly helped this low-budget flick, starring among others: Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, and an unfortunate little roll for Tarantino Himself.  But it really is due to Tarantino’s remarkable scriptwriting and directing ability,  Being his debut, QT certainly made his mark on the world and hasn’t let us down since (except for, in my opinion, that weird Four Rooms movie).

4 out of 4 stars

Rottentomatoes: 95% – Cream of the Crop: 92%