To what extent and in what ways can Pulp Fiction be described as an experimental film? (20 marks)

Pulp Fiction displays a range of techniques that challenges conventional films. However I feel as though Tarantino's experimental techniques are more stylized to him compared to experimental filmmakers who focus on nonconformist ideologies and abstract surreal concepts. 

Tarantino uses a separation method in the “don’t be a square” scene where Mia draws a “square” with her fingers in which a dotted white box is edited over the top. I feel that this is to remind us we’re watching a movie in an artificial LA but also it’s a reference that dates back to the 40s. The term square originates from the upcoming of jazz music to describe someone who was out of touch with the music. It makes sense that this reference was cleverly used right before entering a 50s themed restaurant which is also packed full of  intertextual references of high and low culture such as staff dressed as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. Although unusual, I don’t feel as though editing the artificial box defines the movie as experimental as it was used as a cultural reference as opposed to symbolic and visual aesthetics.

It is evident that this film is also postmodern due to characters drawing nonchalant attention to media and other movies. An example of this would be during the Jack Rabbit Slims scene where Mia tells a very similar plot to Kill Bill while explaining the new television program “Fox Force Five” she is to star in. However, Kill Bill was made after Pulp Fiction which creates foreshadowing to an interlocking narrative in an artificial world which broadens how we view Pulp Fiction as a whole. Creating ones own universe is nothing new as seen in Marvel but Tarantino created a “movie in movie universe” and “realer than real universe” resulting in a hyper realistic world of violence and chaos as seen in pulp fiction. Furthermore supporting a postmodern film genre.

However, structurally I believe the film could be considered experimental. With interlocking characters and a nonlinear chapter form, it definitely challenges elements of more conventional films. There are constant unexpected changes of narrative, for example Mia overdosing after we are lead on by flirting and a building connection to believe she’s to have an affair with Vince. We also see main characters of one plot play supporting characters in each storyline to connect the interlocking narratives.

 On the other hand, Pulp Fiction also displays a stereotypical crime/ gangster genre with robberies, conflict and double-crossings. The story of Pumpkin and Honey bunny stems from the American Criminal Couple, Bonnie and Clyde. So straight from the beginning we are introduced to a familiar story of two lovers framed almost identically to Arthur Pens "Bonnie and Clyde" which is a typical crime film. Vincent and Jules are stereotypical ruthless hitmen in black suits employed by boss Marcellus Wallace.  This narrows Pulp Fiction down to a more conventional and recognisable narrative.

In conclusion Pulp Fiction definitely uses some more unusual techniques such as the black and white background in the taxi scene as a reference to film noir and the briefcase in which the contents is never disclosed and left open to interpretation. I feel as though those elements definitely provide us with a more artistic and surreal take. But its definitely not as obscure and abstract as experimental films as it follows a narrative even though nonlinear, there is still a story to be told, or three.