Our Guest film reviews are a collaboration with Billy Kaskay’s Ethics and Culture in Film elective.

Reservoir Dogs by Quentein Tarantino is his 1992 debut in feature-length film. The movie is a crisp ninety-nine minute crime thriller taking place in Los Angeles, California. The film follows seven strangers, united by working for Joe Cabot, a crime boss organizing a diamond heist. In a unique spin, Tarantino skips the crime itself. The purpose of the film is the players, not the game.

The film opens with the seven heist crew members sitting at a brunch table together. Each heist man is called not by his name (which is kept hidden) but by a pseudonym. What follows is a masterclass in character introduction. In one of the most iconic scenes in film history, each man showcases his personality through a conversation in tipping. Mr. Pink’s weaselishness is shown, Mr. Blond’s stoicness and psychopathy, and Mr. White’s compassion. What follows this scene, and is the subject of the rest of the film, is the aftermath of the heist. A consequence of the film’s low budget is the setting. The majority of the film takes place in a warehouse which acted as the rendezvous point. The characters paint this blank canvas with their personalities, which shows off the first-rate character writing of Tarantino.

As his directing debut, Reservoir Dogs acts as a phenomenal introduction to the character and texture of a Tarantino film. Those who are squeamish towards ultra violence should avoid this film. However, for those who can stomach the gore, I would strongly recommend the film. The story moves quickly, while still having time to explore the backgrounds of the various men without feeling like the viewer is being spoon fed exposition. Each dive into a character paints a picture about their role in the story, and by the end you are rooting for the police to arrive and save the day.

Tarantino’s debut film has stood the test of time, serving as the first step towards cementinghim as a household name. Through impeccable dialogue, superb character interaction, pushing audience boundaries, and non-linear storytelling; Tarantino directs a story that many would have been afraid to put onto the silver screen, and he does it without flaw.