Discuss Pulp Fiction
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Is Marvin getting shot in the face suppose to be funny?
posted by diamonddaisySTAFFMOD on February 11, 2017 at 1:45 AM
The first time I saw Pulp Fiction I laughed when Marvin accidentally gets shot in the face. Then I had the reaction of "Was I suppose to laugh? Was that the director's intent?" It's the element of surpise. With horror movies sometimes the reaction of horror is followed by laughter, like a fun roller coaster. Did you laugh the first time? I feel weird having that kind of reaction to violence.
Reply by Russ007
on February 12, 2017 at 6:29 AM
Yeah I think the audience is meant to laugh because it's completely unexpected when you first watch it.
Why is it weird to laugh at violence on screen ? Many films use violence as a comedic tool. Just look at the silent slapstick films in the 20s like Buster Keaton and Chaplin/ Laurel and Hardy. Even back then it was normal.
Reply by diamonddaisy
on February 12, 2017 at 5:36 PM
I just don't want to feel that I'm desensitized to violence, even in a movie. Now that I've thought about it more I'm sure I've laughed at violence, but I never second guessed myself like I did with Pulp Fiction.
Reply by stargazer
on February 12, 2017 at 6:14 PM
There are moments in old time radio where it would be considered politically incorrect these day. I was just listening to Father Knows Best where his little girl was annoying him to the point that he started to mimic her. I chuckled.
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on February 12, 2017 at 6:55 PM
Actually, Marvin getting killed speaks to several key themes that I believe Tarantino is weaving into this movie. I discuss the details of Marvin's death here, the 5th installment of my Pulp Fiction series. While reading one may seem far-fetched, if you get through them all you might see the collage in entirety.
Reply by microscope
on February 12, 2017 at 8:56 PM
I thought it was horrible and didn't laugh. But my friends thought it was hilarious and they all laughed about it after the movie.
Reply by Stratego!
on February 14, 2017 at 7:08 PM
There's definitely the element of shock and surprise, and it's possible you react to that with laughter (I didn't, though). But I don't think Tarantino intended for you to find the kid getting shot in the face to be funny. Their reaction , of Vincent especially, is certainly meant to be funny.
Reply by microscope
on February 14, 2017 at 7:50 PM
^ Yeah. The whole film is like that really. It is funny sometimes but it is very dark.
Reply by SlickySlixta
on February 21, 2017 at 6:22 PM
The scenario as a whole is supposed to be darkly humorous. I laughed when it happened because I wasn't expecting it and Jules and Vincent's reactions added to the humour.
Reply by Papshmir
on February 22, 2017 at 5:17 AM
Not sure if I was meant to but I did laugh. It was hilarious.
Reply by MichaelMyers
on May 2, 2017 at 9:09 PM
Yeah it's damn funny. Why wouldn't it be funny? On behalf of political correctness? IT'S A BLEEP...G! MOVIE! That's why we buy popcorn ,and soda before going in. It's our make believe world. If we can't separate the two, I'm more worried about us. FUNNY AS HELL
Reply by BarkingBaphomet
on May 2, 2017 at 9:42 PM
i find Vincent's reaction the funny bit.
i just shot Marvin in the face...
the delivery and his expression, as if he'd stepped in dog do.
Reply by MichaelMyers
on May 2, 2017 at 9:51 PM
It's just good stuff.
Reply by tmdb53400018
on May 2, 2017 at 10:48 PM
Yeah, it is. Tarantino's original script initially called for Marvin to get shot in the throat, not the face...a really ugly, agonizing scenario as Marvin does not die at once. The black kid who played Marvin told Tarantino that this scenario would cause people to dislike Jules and Vincent, so QT changed it to what you see in the film.
I actually believe QT is so sick that the final reveal of Marvin in the car's trunk before Winston tosses the garbage bag over his bloody body is supposed to be funny, too.
Reply by Renovatio
on May 3, 2017 at 12:35 PM
It's the shock and disbelief that it happened and that the director did it that makes you laugh... it's not immoral... your laughing because you know that it's not real and that the actor didn't die... and That that isn't blood... it's just red....
Yet. At the same time it is a visceral experience... that's why it's such a good scene... something Tarantino has been mostly unable to replicate since...
Reply by DRDMovieMusings
on May 3, 2017 at 1:46 PM
I dunno, I can think of several remarkably layered scenes in From Dusk till Dawn, Kill Bill franchise, Django Unchained...all since Pulp Fiction (although PF is my favourite).