




During the movie Pulp Fiction, there is a scene in which Vincent and Jules begin to have an argument while Marvin is riding along with them in the backseat. Throughout this whole argument the script is between the two characters and none of the talking is directed towards the viewer. This sets the scene as if the viewer is watching upon Vincent, Jules and Marvin rather than the viewer being a part of the film we are just spectating. Expressions, tone, how often the characters look at each other, camera view points and topic all play a role in how the viewer watches this scene of the movie. 

The whole argument that Vincent and Jules are having during this scene from Pulp Fiction is over that fact that they just got shot at and all six of the bullets missed them. Vincent is trying to convince Jules in a joking tone of voice that the fact that the bullets missed wasn’t just luck “he heard a story of a cop that had a gunfight with a guy and he just unloaded on the guy and nothing happened” (0:08-0:015). Vincent also says “it’s freaky but sometimes that stuff just happens” (0:15-0:19). Jules seems to believe that this is a sign from God and decides to stop working for Marsellus. While Jules is telling Vincent about how he perceives what just happened he is talking in a monotone serious voice as if to show that he is not playing games with him about the situation. If you listen to the tone of voice the guys aren’t joking around with each other and talking like bros as much as they were before, but they sound rather concerned and as if they should take life a little more seriously. Jules especially isn’t really playing around anymore while Vincent still remains a little playful as if he his trying to lighten the mood of the conversation. Also, Jules and Vincent don’t really look at each other during this conversation. Generally you look at someone when they are talking to you even if you are driving you try to make some contact with them. During this scene Jules just keeps his eyes on the road as if he is focused on nothing but getting out of there and making it home that night. Vincent continues to almost remain a little playful, as he is somewhat bouncing around the car as he is talking. It is almost as if he can’t sit still and has to constantly be doing something. The camera angle during this section of the seen is constantly looking through the windshield as if the viewer is just watching and looking in on what is going on rather than really being involved in the scene, with the exceptions of a few cuts when the guys look at each other. Vincent doesn’t take Jules thoughts into consideration because he thinks that all six shots missing was just a freak accident not an act of God. Vincent being the man he is decides to get a second opinion of Jules thoughts. 

Vincent turns around to ask “Marvin, what do you make of all this” (0:46-0:49). Marvin begins to somewhat get nervous and denies any claims to either side of the story saying “man I don’t even have an opinion” (0:49-0:51). Marvin seems to already be somewhat scared of intimidated by what is going on around him at this moment in the film. You can tell how timid Marvin seems just by his dialogue and body language. Marvin is somewhat slumped back like he doesn’t want to be a part of the conversation and he keeps his voice real low as if he doesn’t want his opinion to be heard. The whole time Vincent is talking he is wide open and seems to not be able to be quiet or shut up at all for that matter. When Marvin begins to speak Vincent turns around with the gun in his hand rested on the seat. The camera angle appears to be as if the viewer is now Marvin and we are looking right down the barrel of Vincent’s gun. The camera angles continue to switch back and forth from what is called a point of view angle, as if we are the actors and the view is actively involved in the scene. This moment is enough to scare the shit out of anyone, especially if you are Marvin. As everyone knows, one of the first rules of any sort of gun handling etiquette is to always point the gun in a safe direction. Not only this, but Vincent already has his finger on the trigger as if he is ready to shoot or is discretely taking aim. So, as soon as he turns around with the gun in his hand the viewer knows this is not a good sign from common sense. Vincent even has this oh crap, what the heck is going on look on his face as if he is confused why Marvin doesn’t have an answer. The gun assumes a very prominent role in this view as if it is foreshadowing that something bad is about to happen. This makes for a much more intimidating picture rather than seeing him point the gun at another character as if he is pointing the gun directly at the viewer. Then things take a turn for the worst.

As Vincent is talking to Marvin and questioning his opinion oh why they were able to escape through all six shots, the gun in his hand goes off. The viewer knew something bad was bound to happen but little did we know Marvin’s head would end up splattered all throughout the back of the car. The camera angle instantly changes from Marvin’s view back to looking onto the scene from the outside in as soon as the gun goes off. Jules begins to cuss again even after his whole spiel about God. Vincent and Jules begin talking like gangster brothers again rather than in a serious tone of voice. Vincent says in a not so surprised voice almost as if what just happened is a bummer “awe man I shot Marvin in the face” (0:59-1:01) Jules turns around to see what just happened and realizes what was Marvin’s head is now plastered all over the back window. Jules asks Vincent why he would do that and he proceeds to say he did not shoot Marvin on purpose. They both begin placing the blame on each other as Jules is saying that he has “seen some crazy shit in my day but this…” (1:05-1:07). Vincent is telling him to chill out because he didn’t mean to shoot Marvin and says “you must have hit a bump or something” (1:09). They continue to argue about how Marvin got shot as their voices transition back to their bro talk even more. Vincent says he didn’t do it on purpose the gun just went off somehow. 

Now Vincent and Jules are riding down the street in broad daylight with Marvin’s brain splattered across the back window. Jules begins to freak out and say that they have to get off the street fast before someone calls the cops on them. While all of this is going down Vincent still continues to hold the gun, with his finger on the trigger also. Rather than dropping the gun or being afraid of something similar happening he just continue to grip the gun as if shooting Marvin wasn’t too big of a disaster. Jules calls up his friend Jimmie to help them get the car off the road but all he tells him is that they got into some trouble and need to get off the road fast. Jules continues to talk in his gangster voice showing that the scene has resumed a more playful atmosphere rather than serious even though Marvin just got his head blown off. The camera angle continues to just look down on the situation allowing the view to analyze what is going on more instead of assuming one of the roles as a character. 

This scene from Pulp Fiction utilizes really good forms of tone and expression to allow the viewer to analyze the terms of the situation. The expressions on Vincent and Jules faces lend to a more playful setting rather than an oh my gosh I’m about to get shot expression like Marvin had on his face. The camera angles also help in allowing the viewer to understand what role of the film we are partaking in while the characters are reading their scripts. These aspects all help to make the movie altogether more interesting too, rather than one single camera angle and tone of voice throughout the whole scene and rest of the movie.

