I notice that no one has mentioned True Romance. This film demands viewing by anyone who calls themselves a Tarantino fan. Besides From Dusk Till Dawn it's the only instance of Tarantino writing a script without also directing it, he sold this script to fund Reservoir Dogs apparently.
Having been written by Quentin Tarantino, the script is very tight. Dialogue is crisp and clever and the characters are both as deranged and unequivocally cool as you'd expect. It's quite startling in fact, to see quintessential Tarantino characters juxtaposed with the subdued, traditional Hollywood direction as provided by Tony Scott (Top Gun, Crimson Tide). This contrast is jarring, but welcome. It highlights many qualities of Tarantino's writing without leaving the audience with the exhaustion (albeit a pleasant exhaustion) which inevitably comes with watching something like Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs.
More shocking than anything, though, is the cast. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette are too lovable to miss, certainly, but the supporting cast is just awesome. Christopher Walken, Dennis Hopper, Gary Oldman, each of them embodies their role. Walken and Hopper have one of the most memorable, tense and brutal exchanges ever committed to film, and Oldman's role is simply transcendental. I had literally watched Bram Stoker's Dracula two nights before and I straight up didn't recognize Gary Oldman when he first came onscreen, he's transformed into this disgusting, nasty ******* you'll love to hate.
The plot is a romantic's No Country for Old Men. Like any Tarantino script, you have to suspend your disbelief. While most of his features force this with sheer style and cohesive presentation, True Romance simply charms you. Sure, it's bizarre and people aren't this cool, really, but I couldn't help falling in love with the lead couple. If you love Tarantino, watch this one for your education. Otherwise, watch it for the sheer energy and fun of the narrative. I guarantee that the romanticized adventure will leave you wishing you were so lucky, a little braver, perhaps a little stupider, maybe then something like true romance could happen to you.
Yeah...last night was a late night and I felt like writing something out that might actually get read.