(29 Apr 2017) QUENTIN TARANTINO WALKS TRIBECA RED CARPET FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 'RESERVOIR DOGS'
From the moment it was released in 1992, the gritty, violent and funny "Reservoir Dogs" became a cult hit, making the career of its then rookie director, Quentin Tarantino.
Part of its uniqueness was the color aliases of each character - and as he walked the red carpet Friday ( 28 APRIL) for its 25th anniversary screening at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York., Tarantino explained why.
"I was trying to come up with something that was like, tough guy, existential, deadpan, comedic, you know. And to me the idea of Mr. White, Mr. Orange, Mr., you know, Mr. Blonde, which I thought was kind of clever. I thought that was really interesting. It fed into the tough guy, existential, almost French noir kind of aesthetic of the movie."
The film has gone on to become a classic,thanks to its non-linear storytelling and fresh use of dialogue. One of the most talked about scenes happens during the film's cold opening, which takes place in a diner, and includes a rant on tipping the waitress.
Tarantino never doubted the scene was perfect for the film.
"Well, I never really though of it as a chance. I liked the scene. I though the dialogue was really good. I thought it was funny, you know. I didn't think that was chancy. Most of the people that responded to the script, one of the things they responded was that opening scene," Tarantino said.
It was in that scene that Tarantino gave his theory on what Madonna's "Like a Virgin" was really about. That set him on a path to appear in the films that he writes and directs.
"Well, it was actually Harvey's urging, because he basically thought I did the Madonna speech better than anybody we auditioned, you know. I had done it for him a few times, and he thought I did it better than anybody else, so he thought I should be in the film," the filmmaker explained.
Harvey Weinstein's Miramax Films produced "Reservoir Dogs." But it was another Harvey that anchored the cast. That's Harvey Keitel, and he starred as Mr. White. Keitel describes the magic that compelled him to appear in the film:
"Well, the first thing I saw of his was his writing. I didn't see him in person, but he certainly transformed whatever it was he was thinking about, artistically, onto the page. It was a very special screenplay."
The violent crime thriller depicts the proceedings before and after a failed jewelry store heist. The story is intensified when the gang feels there's an undercover cop amongst them.
For Steve Buscemi, the role of Mr. Pink made him a star, and he feels a debt of gratitude to Tarantino.
"Look, it was a special time in my life. I loved making the film. I'm so grateful for what the film did for me as an actor. But more than that, I'm just really proud to, you know, to be part of a work that people really seem to respond to," Buscemi said.
The film also stars Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, and the late Chris Penn and Lawrence Tierney.
Tarantino and the cast held a panel after the screening, discussing the film.
The director went on to be one of the most famous faces in Hollywood, producing hits such as "Kill Bill", along with "Pulp Fiction" and "Django Unchained."
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