TRUE ROMANCE (1993) – TOP 100 GREATEST MOVIES NO. 83 – REEL CHAT 82.0

Reel Chat

Welcome to Episode 82 of the “Reel Chat Podcast.” This week we continue our countdown of Empire Magazine’s Top 100 Greatest Movies of all time.

Given that it was the second of his scripts to make it to the big screen, following “Reservoir Dogs”, it’s understandable that Quentin Tarantino is indelibly linked with 1993’s “True Romance”, a film that emerged at the midst of his 90s hype. And his fingerprints are all over it: the snappy dialogue, the sheer feeling of “cool” about it all; all factors that time has utterly refused to dilute here. But all that overlooks late director Tony Scott. At the time of the film’s release, Scott was arguably entering his best period to date as a movie director – with mega-hits “Top Gun” and “Beverley Hills Cop 2” under his belt. Scott didn’t mess around too much with Tarantino’s screenplay, save for adjusting the ending, and on the basis of the end product, there’s an argument that he was a better choice to direct the film than QT himself. But has “True Romance” aged well? Could it be argued that it’s a fun but tiresome (and superficial) flick that will either appeal to your deviant sensibilities or send you off in search of a “real” Tarantino film?

Joining your host Adam Stolfo is Reel Chat regulars Andrew McCaskill, Penny Jelly and special guest Melbourne-based composer Asher Pope. Join the team as they discuss the film’s legacy, it’s origins as a teenage Quentin Tarantino’s wildest dream come true, it’s big-name cast, the late career of director Tony Scott, Hans Zimmer’s repetitive (and low-budget) score, as well as the difficulty of tracking down the film here in Australia.

So does “True Romance” deserve it’s spot in the Top 100? And is position number 83 where it belongs?

THE TEAM’S REVIEW SCORES

Adam 2 out of 5

Andrew 3 out of 5 – RECOMMEND

Penny 2 out of 5

Ash 3 out of 5 – RECOMMEND