5 Plot Point Breakdown: Pulp Fiction (1994) – The Bonnie Situation

Screenplay Genre: Crime / Thriller

Movie Time: 154 minutes

Segment Time: 45 minutes

Jules’ Story:

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) & Vincent (John Travolta) go to the hideout of former “business partners” of their boss, Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) in order to collect Marsellus’s briefcase that has been stolen from him. When Jules & Vincent get what they came for, the “business partners” are executed, one by one; culminating with the recitation of Ezekiel 25:17. Getting the briefcase begins the tension of The Bonnie Situation since everything that happens to Jules after getting it comes as a result of the briefcase. (0:17:51)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

After Jules & Vincent manage to escape certain death at the hands of a third gunman hiding in the bathroom with a loaded handgun, they take their “inside man” Marvin (Phil LaMarr), the briefcase and head to Marsellus Wallace. However, on their ride Vincent asks Marvin his opinion of the ‘miracle’ Jules claims to have witnessed when all of the bullets inexplicably missed them entirely, only to accidentally shoot Marvin in the head, covering the inside of their getaway car in blood. This “locks” Jules & Vincent into the obstacle that must be overcome before the story can end. (1:55:50)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

Winston “The Wolf” (Harvey Keitel) is called to solve Jules & Vincent’s problem while they hide out at Jimmy Dimmik’s (Quentin Tarantino) house. Jules & Vince are delegated to cleaning out the inside of the car and is The Bonnie Situation’s midpoint. (2:07:46)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

When Marvin’s dead body is finally disposed of and the crisis averted, Jules & Vincent retreat to a diner to have breakfast. However, it just so happens to be the diner that Pumpkin (Tim Roth) & Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer) have decided to rob. This is The Bonnie Situation’s main culmination as the previous tension of the story is now replaced with this new tension; to escape a robbery alive and with Marsellus Wallace’s suitcase. (2:17:30)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

When Pumpkin (a.k.a. “Ringo”) comes for Marsellus Wallace’s suitcase, Jules refuses. Eventually, Jules turns the tables on Pumpkin and ends up as the one holding a gun pointed at Pumpkin. This gives Jules control of the scene when it was previously unexpected; thus making this moment the third act twist. (2:22:08)

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