Pulp Fiction (BFI Modern Classics) [Paperback]

Dana Polan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2008

In this book, Dana Polan sets out to unlock the style and technique of Pulp Fiction. He shows how broad Tarantino's points of reference are, and analyzes the narrative accomplishment and complexity. In addition, Polan argues that macho attitudes celebrated in film are much more complex than they seem.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A well constructed book that challenges the reader with some interesting twists on old themes." -- 6Degrees

About the Author

Dana Polan is Professor of Critical Studies in the School of Cinema-TV, University of Southern California, and the author of several publications including In a Lonely Place (BFI Film Classics) and Jane Campion (BFI World Directors).

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: British Film Institute (January 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851708080
• ISBN-13: 978-0851708089
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #996,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unworthy of its subject., January 18, 2002

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pulp Fiction (BFI Modern Classics) (Paperback)

There's pulp fiction, then there's worse--namely, thin, obvious, breezy commentary that pretends to be scholarly, or at least "academic." This very slight volume wastes time talking about websites dedicated to the film, then attempts to argue that "Pulp Fiction" is strictly a "postmodern" event to be experienced rather than thought much about (the author's grand conclusion: it represents "style over substance"). I didn't even find the book of much use when I wanted some reminders of plot sequence and characters' names.

Perhaps I expected too much for my money as a result of reading this same series' "The Birds" by Camille Paglia (who obviously immersed herself in an exhaustive research of the filmmaking process as well as the final product). This edition, on the other hand, has the feel of something tossed out in a couple of week-ends.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not bad but could've been better, January 31, 2001

By 

"birdstuff" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pulp Fiction (BFI Modern Classics) (Paperback)

this book starts off a tad amateurish as Polan tries to tackle the film as a phenomenon first, and then analyze the actual film second. it seems that the author's initial take is that PULP FICTION is more pre-occupied with style over substance but as the film is analyzed in more detail argues that there is actual depth and substance to Tarantino's film!

this comes across as kind of awkward but Polan's writing style does improve the further along you read. i just wish that the author hadn't been so concerned with writing the first academic analysis of PULP FICTION and blasting the slew of sloppily written Tarantino biographies and websites, and focused more on the actual film.

i also question Polan's research notes. out of all the articles used/read there is one glaring omission: Gavin Smith's seminal article/interview with Tarantino about PULP FICTION in Film Comment around the time the film came out. Smith's article still remains, in my mind, THE best analysis of Tarantino's film. it's a shame the BFI didn't get him to write one of these books on PF.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Most Disappointing BFI Yet, December 30, 2007

By 

S. Erstad (Fargo, ND) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pulp Fiction (BFI Modern Classics) (Paperback)

By far the most disappointing of the BFI film classics series that I've read so far. In contrast, check out the excellent Shawshank Redemption book in this series.

Agree with previous reviewer - focuses way too much on the cultural phenomenon (and doesn't do a great job of that) and not enough on deconstructing analyzing the film in and of itself. Because of this focus, the book is already woefully out of date.

Poorly written and really just plain boring.

This film deserves better.