I didn't know anything about the job of bail bondsman, before I saw this movie. I liked the actor there, too (although I forget his name now). he was so appealing. A working stiff, doing his job, which involves seeing people in terrible situations. He seemed a decent guy, which means that his morality couldn't be too hung-up on legal issues. I liked that you didn't get to see much into his head, but his face showed you he had an internal life. that you just got glimpses of.

Jackie was even more enigmatic. The film shows you even less of her insides, plus Pam Grier is pretty deadpan, most of the time. Or not deadpan, but controlled, calculated. but she's magnetic as well. One of my favorite moments is when she's getting out of jail after being there overnight, and she looks like it. She really does. It's the first time a movie has shown what relaxed/straightened hair does if it's not taken care of overnight. And her makeup too. she looks rough. attractive and tired. I like the rumpled quality of the actors.

Samuel Jackson as Ordell, was probably the least rumpled. I heard he picked his own clothes. he's great because his character is not that smart, but he's smart enough, usually. With a ponytail and kangol hats, a soul-patch beard and a lean swagger, it's a good portrayal of people who are trying to make it -or maybe they are making it, or what are they making- or are they actually in charge like they think they are.. round and round, as you watch him, in theplenty of time this flick gives you to watch it.

I'm not afraid of a slow pace, when the director knows what to do with it. and after so many smack-ya-upside the head movies, it's nice to see tarantino take a cue from the directors and the era he says he loves. Once again, like a'70s movie, a movie about working folks, sweaty and rumpled a good part of the time. Not pretentious, psychological in a low-key kind of way.

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