Thriller Research // Stereotypes In Jackie Brown

'Jackie Brown' (1997) is a crime thriller directed by Quentin Tarantino and Within its 154 minutes, many thriller conventions and stereotypes are referenced and subverted, particularly in relation to stereotypes of women, criminals and African Americans within Thrillers and within society. Tarantino, known for his referential style and wit, plays with and satirises many of the hallmarks of the films from genres as diverse as Film Noirs to Westerns, weaving a diverse tapestry of inter-textuality and film history. Jackie Brown is perhaps one of the best examples of Tarantino's directing at its most referential, calling back heavily to the Blaxploitation film movement of the 1970s, with its primarily black cast and funk and soul soundtrack. A diverse range of narrative and visual techniques are used to reference a wide range of conventions within the genre and film history.


For example, the superb opening sequence, primarily composed of an extended tracking shot, establishes Jackie Brown as a simultaneously conventional and unconventional protagonist. It establishes the character of Jackie Brown, played by Blaxploitation icon Pam Grier, a middle aged, mixed race drug runner and air hostess, and as a strong, independent and capable woman she is unlike the typical stereotype of women within thrillers, who are passive and submissive, or who are saved by male characters. examples of this kind of character could include the other female characters within Jackie Brown, such as Simone, or other female characters in thrillers, like Irene in Nicolas Winding Refn's  80's thriller homage 'Drive'.  Typically, action and thriller protagonists are straight, white males, so Jackie brown is not only a highly un-conventional female character but also an incredibly unconventional Protagonist particularly in relation to action/thriller films. The long tracking shot frames Jackie Browns head and shoulders, never shifting within the frame, showing her strong and upright stance, which connotes her power and composure, which furthers cements her position as a strong black female character. Another way she subverts her stereotyped is that she is dressed practically but not frumpy, Typically, strong female characters are either incredibly feminised or incredibly masculinised and although this is arguably applicable to Jackie brown, her high heels and skirt, reject this stereotype and presents Jackie as strongly feminine. The soundtrack in particular, draws back heavily to the Blaxploitation genre, using the theme of and referring to the 1972 crime drama film "Across 110th Street". The effect of this is to link back heavily to the genre and its conventions, particularly in relation to black characters such as Jackie Brown.




There are also many conventions and stereotypes supported and exploited throughout the film, many being exhibited within this memorable scene, where Beaumont Livingstone is shot by Ordell Robbie. All of the genre staples are there, from the motel apartment (seen in many other thrillers such as Animal Kingdom or No Country For Old Men to give two examples) to the indiscriminate shooting by a psychopath, this scene just screams "Thriller" although arguably with a comedy twist. Furthermore, subjects such as black market deals, bail pay-outs and organised crime thugs feature prevalently within the scene, more conventions of the crime thriller genre. 

The characters are also fairly conventional, particularly in relation to Blaxploitation films, as both characters are exaggerated elements of African American culture, from the way they talk, with frequent uses of the 'N' word, to the costume of Ordell (the beret is a symbol classically associated with the black panthers movement) and the choice of music that Ordell listens to. Beaumont belongs within the archetype of victim/comedy relief, played by acclaimed comedian Chris Tucker, and brings a dash of humour to the scene in stark contrast to the violence dished by Ordell. This character type is typically deployed within more accessible films, providing relief to the darker, more depressing overall tone of the film, not leaving the audience too bogged down. However, Ordell is a typical psychopath, killing unexpectedly and indiscriminately, showing a camaraderie with Beaumont before killing him quietly. The long shot used when Beaumont is shot connotes Ordell's disconnection from the violence and reality, making him threatening and reinforcing his position as a psychopath. The way Ordell twists and manipulates Beaumont prior to the shooting and his refusal to take no for an answer, further enforces his psychopathy and foreshadows the nasty fate of Beaumont, and makes the audience feel trapped and anxious, as Beaumont does.

 The setting is also highly typical, as well as the time of day used. The shot of the bars of the railings connote prison bars and the entrapment of the character of Beaumont to his grim fate. The claustrophobic environment of the car boot also connote similar themes of entrapment and almost of a coffin like enclosure for the doomed man.



Another character similar to that of Ordell Robbie is that of Louis Gara, his accomplice and friend who is later murdered in cold blood by Ordell. However his form of psychopathy is different to the strain that Ordell possesses, being more passionate and consequential and less calculated and unexpected.

They are similarly remorseless and cold to the acts they are committing, showing almost no reaction to what they'd just done. This is connoted by their lack of verbal reaction and the use of steady shots that suggest their relatively calm demeanour as well as disconnect from the world or alternatively, how little they really care. They are also similarly misogynistic, arrogant and generally dislikeable as can be seen in the "chicks who love guns" clip.  This kind of arrogance and cruelty is one very typically associated with criminality in thrillers as the criminals are often the villains and the audiences should be made to dislike them. They both also manipulate and control people as can be seen in this clip as Louis Gara controls and pulls Melanie, similar to the way Ordell Robbie pushes Beaumont into helping him. This psychopathy is more closely linked to a panicky and spontaneous reaction whereas Robbie is more composed.

Throughout the clip Louis is presented as nervous and rapidly losing control, looking around nervously and breaking into a sweat, before forgetting where he had parked his car. these show how he develops towards his breaking point before finally snapping and shooting Melanie. He had not originally planned to kill Melanie, but his lack of self control and empathy lead to Melanie's demise. This is a different kind of evil to Robbie's self aware and self motivated villainy, but more represents Louis' flaws and victimhood to the rest of the world, with malfunctioning car doors, snarky women and psychotic, back-stabbing friends. with his only response being violence and anger. This could be a step to represent him as a loser and a low life, another stereotype associated with criminality.

Jackie Brown is an interesting Thriller for  many reasons, violent and shocking in parts, humorous and vibrant in others, but also one that makes many interesting commentaries on the position of women, African Americans and more within our media and within our society.