Key Takeaways:
– Quentin Tarantino’s cinematic tastes have influenced Hollywood and boosted Travolta’s career
– Tarantino’s love for cinema is so extensive that he cast Travolta, his childhood hero, in Pulp Fiction.
– Pulp Fiction not only elevated Tarantino’s fame but restored Travolta’s glory.
– Travolta’s initial rise in Hollywood in the 70s was remarkable, but his career suffered a fall in the late 80s.
– Despite career revival by Pulp Fiction, Travolta’s choices led to another decline.
Story Behind Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction
Looking back, Quentin Tarantino is a name that has left an indelible mark in the world of cinema. His creative storytelling and directorial prowess can be compared to those of acclaimed film directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron. Tarantino’s success is a fresh breed, breaking away from the typical Hollywood filmmaking routine that majorly focused on budgetary limits and attaining favorable ratings. He carved out a popular filmmaking style that posed challenges to Hollywood studios.
Tarantino’s Cinematic Tastes
Tarantino’s cinematic preferences have shaped his movies’ form and perceptions. Notable movies such as Natural Born Killers and Reservoir Dogs are a testament. Even so, his 1994 Pulp Fiction displayed all his iconic trademarks — violence, mayhem, and epic dialogues. But there was one little piece that (literally) didn’t fit the picture.
John Travolta’s Peculiar Casting
John Travolta, a Hollywood sensation in the mid-70s, had experienced a significant career decline. Despite this, Tarantino still recognized Travolta’s latent talent and cast him as Vincent Vega, a move that rekindled his stardom. Before casting Travolta, Tarantino, a fan of the Grease actor, wanted to play board games of Travolta’s old movies, as the actor recalled in a 2019 interview.
A Risk that Paid Off
Tarantino’s expansive love for cinema urged him to risk his reputation by choosing an actor whose popularity had dwindled amongst moviegoers and film executives. This decision not only propelled Tarantino to unimaginable fame but also rejuvenated Travolta’s declining career.
Travolta’s Rise and Fall in Hollywood
In the 70s, Travolta, with his iconic disco moves, offered a breath of fresh air in Hollywood. The Rolling Stone, in a June 1978 edition, compared Travolta’s popularity to that of Elvis Presley, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. His fame skyrocketed after the success of Saturday Night Fever and Grease, but his fall came just as rapidly as a series of his poor cinematic choices led to his decline in the late 80s.
Second Demise of Travolta
Despite Tarantino reviving Travolta’s career with Pulp Fiction, the star’s controversial engagements with Scientology and erratic movie choices led to his second downfall in Hollywood.
In conclusion, the pairing of Tarantino and Travolta for Pulp Fiction was both an unlikely, yet ultimately successful, gamble. Despite the trials in their respective careers, both have made remarkable contributions to the world of cinema, illustrating the impact of personal creativity and a deep love for cinema on Hollywood films.
