Tony Scott's 1993 movie is extraordinary; a crime drama with a twist of true romance. Although made six years after, this was Quentin Tarantino's first script, which he eventually sold to fund Reservoir Dogs. It does not falter.
In a downtown movie theatre the lonely comic and kung fu movie geek named Clarence (Christian Slater) meets Alabama (Patricia Arquette); a charming and eccentric beauty. After discussing turn on's and turn off's, as well as the likes of Burt Reynolds, after some tasty pie; Clarence takes Alabama back to his apartment where they passionately hook up. Alabama later admits that she's a call girl but declares she loves him and would stay "100% monogamous". The Elvis fanatic decides to take up the opportunity as he can't believe his luck. Clarence later visits Alabama's pimp Drexl (Gary Oldman) and breaks the news that they have fallen in love. Subsequent to some pretty "titties", fist punching and triggered guns, Clarence leaves having killed Drexl and with a suitcase which he believes to be Alabama's belongings. Once they find out its a case full of cocaine the two hit the road for California hoping to sell the drugs to a Hollywood producer. Meanwhile a Sicilian speech takes place, which is one of Tarantino's proudest writing moments in his career, and an angry mob soon hunt them down.
The acting is nothing short of brilliant. However there are three stand outs: Arquette, Oldman and Pitt. Arquette is Alabama, she's quirky, sweet and lovable. Although Slater is fantastic, Arquette steals every scene she's in. Her stand out performance takes place during the most romantic scene in the movie - killing with the corkscrew. During Alabama's beating she never tells on Clarence, she takes every hit and every knock but never says anything. That is the most romantic scene Tarantino has ever written and it's played amazingly by Arquette. In fact so convincingly that once Clarence arrives back to the hotel room we are overcome with emotion because of what we believe Alabama went through to keep the man she loves protected. The scene took five days to shoot. Then there is Gary Oldman's performance. He is an acting chameleon and his role of Drexl Spivey is certainly one of his greats. In a 2011 interview Oldman stated that Drexl is one of his favourite roles.The following year he would go on to do an equally excellent performance in Luc Besson's Leon: The Professional. Finally there is Brad Pitt's performance as Floyd. A stoner who hardly appears in the film and comes into the story as Clarence's friends roommate. In the original screenplay written by Tarantino, Floyd's character was completely different. The character you see on screen is all down to Brad Pitt. This was genius in the making as it created a very comical character and of course Pitt is brilliant. In the audio commentary for True Romance by Tarantino, he admitted that Brad Pitt's performance steals the third act in the movie.
Some film techniques are just as strong. Costumes act as the characters skin. The costumes in the film are colourful and authentic to every character. Alabama's cow print skirt and electric blue cowboy boots model her bold personality whilst Clarence's gold sunglasses and Hawaiian shirts channel his inner Elvis enthusiasm. In terms of mise-en-scene it's a hit and miss. It's strengths are demonstrated in the meeting of Drexl Spivey scene. Whilst talking to Clarence, Oldman's character channels his body language through a lamp. He remains seated whilst eating Chinese, but begins swinging a lamp which hovers to the side of him. This is genius as it begins to create tension, we are expecting him to pounce any moment. Eventually the swings get more vicious as Drexl gets increasingly wound up by Clarence. However the set production can be improved in areas. If Quentin Tarantino directed, this would not be the case. In his audio commentary he points out that in Dick's apartment where Floyd also lives, there are film posters on the wall. Tarantino states that this must have been productions input as he does not believe it enhances any character traits. All the posters on the wall are neatly framed and he admits that these characters would not have been able to afford frames for their posters, instead they would just be stuck on the wall. This is an example where as a film maker Tarantino proves he is quality over quantity. Other mise-en-scene elements like camera angles, editing and lighting in Tony Scott's films are not as artistic as what they could be if True Romance was directed by it's writer. For example Tarantino would perhaps include the iconic trunk shot, definitely some long takes and possibly a few Kahuna burgers. However, although the idea of Alabama puffing away on a Red Apple cigarette is quite exciting, we should remember that Tony Scott didn't do a bad job at direction.
Scott brings to life a 90's Romeo and Juliet or Bonnie and Clyde retelling which is funny, stylish and endearing. Themes include: love, revenge, life and death but the ultimate message of the movie is true romance. The fact that these two kids are best friends and lovers who would risk their lives for each other is beautiful. The movie is romantic in a non romantic way, it is not generic and that is why it is special. I guess also because they are just so cool!
