JordanEssay

“//Mr. Blonde holding an expression of enjoyment upon his face while torturing the cop.”//

Quentin Tarantino’s //Reservoir Dogs// has been known by many to be a landmark within independent cinema. Through its use of non-linear story telling, uniquely placed camera angles, and diversity among characters the film is commonly viewed as Tarantino’s signature piece of work following //Pulp Fiction// in terms of stylization. Ironically, placed in the middle of the film is the infamous torture scene choreographed to the song “Stuck in the Middle With You” composed by a duo known as Stealers Wheel. Tarantino’s decision of using this cheerful 70’s song in particular with one of the most disturbing sequences within the film creates a unique emotion for the viewer. It also creates a parallel to the characters mentality, personality and purpose within the sequence.

Within the sequence, Mr. Blonde, the most cynical and atrocious criminal within the gang is left to watch over a cop that has been taken hostage after the heist took a turn in the wrong direction, as well as Mr. Orange who has been shot and is lying unconscious on the verge of death while the torture is underway. First time viewers do not yet know that Mr. Orange is an undercover cop, or that the cop being tortured knows that Mr. Orange is an undercover cop. However, after strict analyzation of the scene we can begin to infer why Tarantino chose “Stuck in the Middle With You” to compliment the gruesome sequence of Mr. Blonde cutting the cops ear off and dousing him in gasoline. Alongside how the lyrics of the tune are in relevance to that of the story.

There are two ways I believe the music within this sequence may be interpreted. First, I believe the overall emotion of the cheery tune to run parallel to that of Mr. Blonde’s sick mentality, and how he finds pleasure out of torturing the cop. In a way, I believe that Tarantino wanted viewers to share this sick emotion that Mr. Blonde contains for violence. It’s a common theme within gangster films for viewers to gain this sense where we cheer for the character doing the wrong. I believe using any other song or style of music would not complement the scene or provide this unique moment like the one chosen does. Imagining the scene with a horror type score, or no music at all, would almost be too disturbing, in my opinion. It would take away from this glorification of violence which is commonly seen in almost every Tarantino film. It would fail to establish context on Mr. Blonde’s character, and describe exactly how sick and sinister he is. For it is the only scene within the film where we get to see Mr Blonde’s evil tendencies in action.

Secondly, I believe the lyrics within the tune to run parallel to the sequence. There are parallels to that of what we can believe to be running through the cops mind while being tortured, as well as the characterization Mr. Blonde’s character. Within the first verse of the song the lyrics read:

//Well I don't know why I came here tonight,// //I got the feeling that something ain't right,// //I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair,// //And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs,// //Clowns to the left of me,// //Jokers to the right, here I am,// //Stuck in the middle with you.//

The lyrics are an indication of the cops mentality at the time he’s being tortured. He feels regret for getting involved in this heist that’s gone completely wrong. He is in fear of what Mr. Blonde may do to him, for he has heard of his sick tendencies and twisted criminal history. “//Clowns to the left of me”// may be the other officers working to prevent the heist that have allowed the situation to get as out of hand as it has. “//Jokers to the right”// may be in reference to the rest of the gangsters as well as the unconscious undercover cop who is present within the sequence and is the one who eventually saves the cops life by shooting Mr. Blonde moments before he plans to set the cop on fire. “//Here I am stuck in the middle with you”// runs parallel to how the cop is torn between revealing the undercover cops identity as “the rat” to save his own life, or deciding to keep quiet like he does. He’s stuck in this abandoned warehouse with the sickest criminal of them all.

The lyrics within the chorus read:

//Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,// //And I'm wondering what it is I should do,// //It's so hard to keep this smile from my face,// //Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place,// //Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right,// //Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.//

The “//And I’m wondering what it is I should do”// line is our second indication the cops internal conflict between deciding to tell Mr. Blonde that Mr. Orange, Tim Roth’s character, is the undercover cop to save his own life. For he knows that cops are waiting near by the warehouse to come arrest him. This runs parallel to the line that reads “//It’s so hard to keep this smile from my face”.// It also runs parallel to the mentality of Mr. Blonde. He’s wondering what elaborate torture tactics to unleash on the cop. He thoroughly enjoys it. What supports this theory is the line he states after cutting the cops ear off: “Was that as good as for you as it was for me?” This line and overall sequence efficiently establishes how heartless and disturbing Mr. Blonde’s character is. We can infer that he enjoys violence in the same way others achieve pleasure through acts of sex. In the image presented at the top of the essay, the expression held upon Mr. Blonde’s face is one of many indicators that note how he enjoys violence.

The lyrics within the final verse audible within the sequence reads:

//Well you started out with nothing,// //And you're proud that you're a self made man,// //And your friends, they all come crawlin,// //Slap you on the back and say,// //Please.... Please.....//

This verse is in reference to the back story of Mr. Blonde’s character. He’s proud of his criminal career and history. As soon as he is released form prison he is asked to join the mob of gangsters on this heist for diamonds and gladly accepts it. It runs parallel to the lines “//And you’re proud that you’re a self made man, And your friends, they all come crawlin”//. It complements another scene within the film where we see Mr. Blonde meet with boss and his son who have organized the heist and offered him the job. In the typical Tarantino fashion, as the film progresses, there are scenes placed somewhat randomly that shows each individual character prior to the heist. These scenes provide context for developing each characters personality. For Mr. Blonde, we can infer that he is sadistic, cocky, and holds a twisted passion for violence and his glorified criminal lifestyle.

Analyzing from a cinematic perspective, there are various shots within the sequence and entire film that really set this independent crime drama apart from others, as well as establishing Tarantino’s signature style. There are little to none closeup shots within the film. Within the torture scene, while Mr. Blonde is cutting the cops ear off, the camera veers to the left taking the two out of the frame. The focus is on the upper left hand corner of the abandoned warehouse where a majority of the film is shot at. “Stuck in the Middle With You” is still audible as well as the sound of the screaming cop. I believe this tactic in combination with the song is what established the legendary reputation that the scene holds. It gives viewers a moment to take in the dark and eerie mise-en-scene the warehouse establishes. It allows viewers to imagine the sickening image of the ear being chopped off on their own, with aid from the sound of the screaming cop.



There are many holes within the film. For example, the heist is never shown. The story is focused around what happens prior and immediately after the heist. The film was originally proposed with a small budget which gave the idea of Tarantino not filming the heist. This allows viewers to imagine the heist. There is a scene where Harvey Keitel’s character, Mr. White, is describing the heist and how Mr. Blonde went crazy and started shooting cops left and right. It is within this moment and others alike where we are forced to imagine the missing scene. A tactic of Tarantino’s that it one of my personal favorites. The film is extremely dialogue driven and relies on the diversity of the personalities of each character to deliver what many critics have dubbed one of the greatest independent crime dramas/gangster films of all time.

Collectively, the film //Reservoir Dogs// utilizes music and unique camera angles as well as shots to establish emotion as well as develop characters. The non-linear storyline creates various gaps within the film where viewers are left to imagine how the moment actually occurred. Although the majority of the film is shot within the warehouse, Tarantino still delivers by establishing a diverse cast of characters that set the film in constant motion in combination with heavy dialogue. The vibe of the warehouse establishes a mise-en-scene that runs parallel to that of the mood as well. Although it was shot before //Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs// gained popularity after viewers became intrigued with the stylization of //Pulp Fiction.//

For those that have yet to see the film, below is the entire clip of the sequence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqRHjYl955s