Jackie Brown

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Jackie Brown

R

Released Dec 25, 1997

2h 35m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

When flight attendant Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) is busted smuggling money for her arms dealer boss, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and detective Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) want her help to bring down Robbie. Facing jail time for her silence or death for her cooperation, Brown decides instead to double-cross both parties and make off with the smuggled money. Meanwhile, she enlists the help of bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster), a man who loves her.

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Critics Consensus

Although somewhat lackadaisical in pace, Jackie Brown proves to be an effective star-vehicle for Pam Grier while offering the usual Tarantino wit and charm.

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Chuck Bowen

Slant Magazine

Forget Tarantino’s baggage. Jackie Brown is a vulnerable movie from a mainstream American filmmaker of any generation, especially at a time when stars are required more than ever to behave as if they don’t age.

Jan 23, 2025

Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

... A beautifully modulated portrait of the limits and the last resorts of middle age.

Dec 4, 2023

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Maybe posterity will crown Jackie Brown as his best film and maybe not. Either way it shows that mainstream plotting and noir romance are yet more movie styles that Tarantino can fabricate: brilliantly.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 15, 2022

Full Review

Aaron Neuwirth

Why So Blu

A more reflective film, with deeper characterizations coming from an older cast willing to sit with a moment. It’s also incredibly entertaining, funny, well-crafted, and detailed, making any revisit worthwhile.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 22, 2025

Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Even though this film pushes past two-and-a-half hours, the forward direction of the plot keeps things moving with minimal repeat. This movie exudes coolness on every level.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

John Brhel

Vague Visages

While Jackie Brown does revel in nostalgia and feature its fair share of firearms, it’s a much more subdued, nuanced and mature film than any of Tarantino’s previous works, or any other production within his entire filmography.

Jun 5, 2023

Full Review

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Daniel Z

Maybe posterity will crown Jackie Brown as his best film and maybe not. Either way it shows that mainstream plotting and noir romance are yet more movie styles that Tarantino can fabricate: brilliantly.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

Anthony J.

Anything from Tarantino is worth a watch. Definitely one of his more subtle works (full disclosure I watched it after most of his other work). Star studded cast lead by Pam Grier who was superb.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

Jonathan O

Tarantino is at his best with writing, dialog, directing, music selections and the casting and Jackie Brown is fun entertaining heist film and really amazing new 4K restoration in Dolby Vision.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/29/25

Full Review

Kevin S

Amazing film with incredible acting. This and 3 Days of the Condor are absolutely two of my favorites!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

Full Review

John C

Grier and Jackson are excellent, while Forster steals the entire picture with his understated turn -- he earned the film's sole Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actor.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

Full Review

Andrew A.

It made me cry on my most recent rewatch

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

Full Review

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Quentin Tarantino

Director

Pam Grier

Jackie Brown

Samuel L. Jackson

Ordell Robbie

Robert Forster

Max Cherry

Bridget Fonda

Melanie Ralston

Michael Keaton

Ray Nicolette

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - A Gun Pressed Up Against My Dick

2:09

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - Fitting Room Exchange

1:37

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - Ray's Interrogation

2:12

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - The Delfonics

2:13

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - Melanie Provokes Louis

1:58

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - I'm Home, I'm High

2:10

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - You Shot Melanie?

2:11

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - I'll Send You a Postcard

2:08

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - Three Minutes Later

2:12

Jackie Brown: Official Clip - One Dirty Ass Trunk

2:00

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Synopsis

When flight attendant Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) is busted smuggling money for her arms dealer boss, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and detective Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) want her help to bring down Robbie. Facing jail time for her silence or death for her cooperation, Brown decides instead to double-cross both parties and make off with the smuggled money. Meanwhile, she enlists the help of bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster), a man who loves her.

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Producer: Lawrence Bender
Screenwriter: Elmore Leonard, Quentin Tarantino
Distributor: Miramax Films, Buena Vista International [us]
Production Co: Mighty Mighty Afrodite Productions, A Band Apart, Lawrence Bender Productions, Miramax Films
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $39.6M
Runtime: 2h 35m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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