True Romance

1993 Crime Drama

Quentin Tarantino scripted this wild and wooly blend of action and dark comedy, which reached theaters a year before his breakthrough hit Pulp Fiction. Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) is a well-meaning but socially unskilled comic-shop clerk whose idea of a big night out is catching a Sonny Chiba triple-feature at a downtown grindhouse. Clarence is celebrating his birthday in just such a manner when he meets a beautiful girl named Alabama (Patricia Arquette), and it's love at first sight for both of them. Clarence's enthusiasm isn't dampened much when he discovers Alabama is actually a prostitute who was paid by his boss to bump into him; she's only been in the business for a few days, and is more than eager to give up streetwalking to be with Clarence. However, Alabama is certain her pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman), will not be happy; he's an ill-mannered sort with mob connections and a fondness for violence. Chivalrous Clarence offers to break the news to Drexl and collect her belongings, but he doesn't tell her he also plans to kill Drexl while he's there; a melee breaks out that leaves Drexl and his henchmen dead. Clarence grabs a suitcase that he thinks contains Alabama's clothes, but he discovers it instead holds five million dollars' worth of cocaine. The couple hits the road for California, planning to sell the dope and enjoy the good life in South America with the proceeds, but soon a group of very unhappy underworld characters are after them, as well as the police. True Romance also stars Dennis Hopper as Clarence's father, Christopher Walken as a mob boss who wants his cocaine back, Brad Pitt as a cheerful stoner, and Val Kilmer as the ghost of Elvis Presley. more..

Director: Tony Scott

Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette,Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer,Gary Oldman

Reviews

  • Anybody who talks about True Romance has to start with the writing. It's dazzling. In scene after scene, Tarantino surprises the audience even while coming up with dialogue that rings much more true than anything you could have anticipated.

    Mick LaSalle - The San Francisco Chronicle

    11 May 2013

  • These gun-crazy, lust-loopy kids on the run are irresistible in the best crime rush since "GoodFellas."

    Susan Wloszczyna - USA Today

    11 May 2013

  • One of the best mainstream action-thrillers a decade.

    - Empire

    11 May 2013

  • You never forget you're watching a derivative, machine-tooled entertainment; the fun is in how the machine keeps spinning off course.

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    11 May 2013

  • True Romance, which feels at times like a fire sale down at the cliche factory, is made with such energy, such high spirits, such an enchanting goofiness, that it's impossible to resist. Check your brains at the door.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    11 May 2013

Awards

  • Best Actor

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (1994)

     
  • Best Audio Commentary, Library Release

    DVD Exclusive Awards (2003)

     
  • Best Film

    Fantasporto (1995)

     
  • Best Kiss

    MTV Movie Awards (1994)