If you look at it, the scene is nothing out of the ordinary. Eight guys in a diner exchange crude locker-room banter over things like Maddona’s “Like a Virgin” and the ethics of tipping. Then they step out and, in slow motion, walk across a sunny LA street towards their cars. During their walk, George Baker Selection’s 1969 pop number “Little Green Bag” plays in the background as the credits roll.This is the opening to Quentin Tarantino’s feature debut, Reservoir Dogs (1992). Despite being impossibly simple, this moment became the definition of cool for the new generation in the 1990s. Along with introducing the main characters, who we later come to know are criminals and are actually on their way to rob a jewelry store, this opening sequence gave us a peek into the new cinematic attitude that it was creating.Despite having no direct link to the drama or the action, this walk emitted power and swagger, as if the movie was establishing its style quotient beforehand.The scene is one of cinema’s iconic pieces firmly etched into pop culture. And we are going to explore why.The SceneBefore we critically analyze the cinematic power and legacy of this scene, we need to know what the scene is about. It would help if we knew its visual structure, emotional tone, and rhythmic flow.The Diner Banter The characters are introduced in a regular diner, having a regular breakfast, and engaging in a regular conversation about mundane topics. Nothing stands out. They are just...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Today