Jackie Brown deserves to be mentioned with Tarantino's very best, in his tale of a flight attendant trying to manage both cops and criminals in order for her to survive.
Forster made his return to "A" cinema via Tarantino giving him the second chance of a lifetime in the role of Max Cherry, to the point that Tarantino turned down Robert De Niro for the role (who was still cast as burnout/Criminal Louis) in order to enable Forster to play this part. And it is hard not see why Forster is really just perfect for this role in every respect. We get that right away as he enters into the picture as a Bail Bondsman who becomes in contact with cunning career arms dealer Ordell (Samuel L. Jackson), after one of his mules gets arrested. The chemistry, or really anti-chemistry, he has with Jackson is pretty pitch perfect this as Ordell comes in as aggressive and more than anything dismissive of Forster's Max Cherry. On the other hand Forster is fantastic in portraying not a hint of intimidation or discouragement from Ordell. His reactions are that of a guy who has seen too many criminals to name, knows all their different tactics, and in turn is just dealing with another guy as he would the rest. What I love is Forster's voice that might as well be a character all on its own, as it is so distinct, and just so perfect for this part. The evidence of this is immediate with all of Ordell's "talk", Forster's delivery is that of straight business. Anything that Ordell throws at him is countered with Forster just telling him like it is, not aggressively, not dismissively, just as it is. He does it straight easy, and with such a palatable sense of a guy who has been there and done this, and it is just another go with him.
Although where it seems like a guy just here to perform a function, though doing so in a way that with such history, this shifts to much more when he is tasked again by Ordell to bailout another mule of his, after Ordell killed his previous mule, this being the titular Jackie Brown (Pam Grier). This which shakes Max's world which we get as he watches the slow walkout of Jackie from the prison, and I love Forster's reaction. He puts just enough on it, not too much that wouldn't be right for a man like Max, it is rather you get the sense that he's seeing someone very special to him, but he still is just about keeping it to himself. Then when giving Jackie the ride home technically Max is quite forward by asking her out for a drink before doing so, despite the circumstances. Forster's delivery I think is something special because he is so straight forward with it again as he's Max not hesitating but also not going overboard with the request. He reveals us someone who has learned and if he's interested he says it without overtures, he just says it. Although their first meeting is less than romantic as Jackie is understandably more concerned with her pending criminal penalties and possibly worse her pending meeting with Ordell. Forster is great in the scene by showing a slightly different side, he's again giving very good advice however the advice is rendered with slight modification of his delivery of just a bit warmth, and his eyes showing someone who definitely hopes he can help Jackie.
After a tense night of narrow escape, while also setting up a more permanent escape, from Ordell using a gun she temporarily pilfered from Max, we have what is just a scene that is both what takes the film to another level, but also what makes both Grier and Forster's performances so special. This as the two of them talk about her situation, but also just talk to one another. The chemistry with Grier and Forster is really one of the very best you might see in a film honestly, even though it is but an aspect of the film. The two are just so natural with one another in conveying the mutual attraction to one another without really even verbalizing it. In this scene they hit the plot points, but what are more important is the way they are both able to exude this sort of connection the two of them both having started to definitely age and live through a lot of things in their life, not necessarily coming up to exactly where they would've expected to be. It isn't with this great anguish, though a bit more sadness in Jackie than Max, but there is such a warmth both exude in this moment that create such a natural affection that is just so incredibly endearing. My favorite moment being, a moment suggested by Forster himself, talking about aging related to his hairline which he openly says he had changed. I love Forster's manner in the admittance isn't with shame or ego, it is rather with this kind of self-actualization. He says he understands it was to make himself feel better, which it did, and in turn Forster discusses all of this with the relaxed ease of a man who is comfortable with making decisions and admitting to the nature of the decisions.
Forster is wonderful as he makes Max this kind sage character, that importantly is so believable, and so very human despite seeming just like a great guy. What makes him this way though is the way Forster is able to articulate someone who understands faults and flaws, yet knows how to handle them. This in his scene of describing to Jackie his intention of getting out of the bail and bond business after spending a futile smelly night in a potential runaway's apartment. Forster's performance is so great because he doesn't deliver this with this sorrow or anger, it rather with this blunt maturity that he brings to the part so beautifully. The guy is just talking about thinking about this life and thinking if he wants to keep doing or not. He puts just the right touch of emotion on it, that he does care, but it is as someone who has learned life lessons throughout his life and putting them into use. In turn he does his best to help and advise Jackie in her plan to cheat Ordell and the cops in the same switcheroo of money scheme. Again I love Forster's approach because in these moments he isn't a conspirator, though he is technically that, but rather just a friend listening to Jackie and giving feedback best he can. When he watches aspect of her plan being implemented he's wonderful in portraying so much in granting both a sense of curiosity and admiration as he sees Jackie attempting to implement her plan. The final scene is sheer perfection between both Grier and Forster, where everything has gone to Jackie's plan. The scene is incredible so romantic, yet so romantic in such a low key way. Forster's first easing of Jackie's concerns stating that at his age he has to be making his own decision at that she didn't manipulate him, is again with this beautiful blunt reality of a guy who just knows who he is and knows the score. When Jackie prods him a bit more to actually come with her, Forster's little smile carries so much in it, and he shows so much love for her in just that moment. They're moment of finally kissing is one of the most earned depicted in a film, because it is just so natural of the two who have never said they loved each other, but always said it in their interactions. Their chemistry just being that good, and again based so powerfully on the two understanding each other. The final moment of Forster's being a marvelous sendoff as he really becomes his most expressive in his reactions and in that moment shows every second thought about going with Jackie, a sense of how much love he does feel for he, but still the sense of a man who knows who he is, and what choice he has to make. This is an absolutely brilliant performance by Robert Forster as he takes a great role and makes the most of it. I think actually there were probably a lot of pitfalls in making Max to overt, or too modest, yet Forster finds just the right path to make such a perfectly tangible mature character here. A character who seems so natural in this world. Most importantly though Forster creates such a moving and endearing romance via his great chemistry with Grier, and doing it with such unfussy ease that just feels right for the memorable man that is Max Cherry.
4 comments:
I like how he handles Jackson in that first scene they have together; he convinced me that he was the bondsman in this. You're right, though, not too complicated a character, but there's good chemistry with him and Grier. He would be my pick because he's my favorite actor out of this bunch.
I liked him...
I haven't seen him yet. But it sounds good!
Can you do Greg next?
Sure.
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