Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

7/10

Starring

Harvey Keitel

Tim Roth

Chris Penn

Steve Buscemi

Lawrence Tierney

Michael Madsen

 

 

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Reservoir Dogs is an oldie, but it’s enjoyable at its best. I’ve heard about this movie countless times, but this was my first time watching it. The film makes the most out of what seems like a modest budget. Even though you don’t actually see the heist or get a glimpse of what went down, the movie does an excellent job of letting you piece it together. For me, that’s one of the reasons this is a classic worth watching. How Tarantino planned and executed the story to make this such a memorable film is impressive.

The plot kicks off with a group of men sitting together, eating a meal, and having a casual conversation about a Madonna song. These men use code names based on colors to protect their identities in case something goes wrong. From there, we jump to a scene where Mr. Orange (Tim Roth) is bleeding heavily in the back of a car, with Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) reassuring him that he’ll be alright.

As the story unfolds, we learn that the group was brought together to pull off a diamond heist. Mr. White brings a badly injured Mr. Orange to the rendezvous point, where they are soon joined by Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi). Mr. Pink reveals that the heist went sideways because they were set up. He explains that one of their team members, Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen), went rogue and started shooting, which drew the police to their location. According to Mr. Pink, the cops were already waiting nearby and only moved in because of Mr. Blonde’s actions.

At this point, the surviving members—White, Pink, and Orange—are disoriented and unsure of what happened to the rest of the crew. The possibility of a setup looms large, and tensions rise as they try to figure out who betrayed them.

The film showcases Tarantino’s signature style: non-linear storytelling, bloody violence, and an abundance of profanity. However, one thing that stood out to me—and not in a good way—was the use of the n-word in a couple of scenes by white characters. The context caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but feel that it was unnecessary. There were definitely better ways to convey those moments without resorting to such language. Call me silly, but it left me uncomfortable and felt out of place.

This movie marks Tarantino’s debut as both a writer and director. The brilliance of Reservoir Dogs lies in its storytelling. Beyond the sharp writing and the tension that drives the heist narrative, the acting is phenomenal. Every actor seemed to give something extra, and it shows in their performances.

Regarded by many as one of the best independent films of all time, Reservoir Dogs achieved moderate success at the box office. But its legacy and influence far surpass its initial earnings. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth checking out.