1. Vincent Vega- Pulp Fiction
And so here we are at number one, and although I know that some people may think Vincents partner Jules Winnfield and his epic religious speeches, or the undoubtedly evil yet charismatic Hans Landa/Calvin Candie should have taken the top spot, for me the character I find most entertaining, funny, interesting and engaging is John Travoltas career saving, Oscar-nominated performance as Mr. Blondes less rash and nicer brother, Vincent Vega. It is hard to say who the main protagonist is with a film like Pulp fiction, as not only is it split into three different segments; Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallaces Wife, The Gold Watch and The Bonnie Situation, all of which have different focal points, with different characters meandering in and out of the story, but the film's non-chronological ordering of events causes characters like Vincent Vega to die half way through, only to become one of the main characters of the last segment of the film. However, even with Vegas shocking demise half way through, I still somehow find it is Vincent who is the focal point of the film, the main attraction, the knot that ties the film together, and that without whom, the film would not have been as successful or as memorable. Vincent, like Jules is instantly presented as not your average, one dimensional hit-man, as we are introduced to him as a guy that likes to travel. The fact Vincent is said to have returned from Amsterdam, the place where Tarantino went to distance himself away from Hollywood after his success with Reservoir Dogs, and where he wrote the script for Pulp Fiction, gives a very strong connection between the fictitious character and his creator. Vincent has so many unique aspects to his personality and his character that help make him feel like a fully rounded person, rather than being a creation for a film. From the Modesty Blaise book that he likes to whip out and read throughout the film, as well as his frequent use of toilets; all of which either occur while, or end with, something bad happening in the film, such as Mia Wallace overdosing, Pumpkin and Honey Bunny robbing the diner, and worst of all the visit to the bathroom that causes Vincents own death, all make him a rather interesting character to which major plot points all link to. Tarantino clearly gave a lot of effort when creating Vincent, from his unique way of saying things, Yeah but bacon tastes good, pork tastes good, to the ambiguity surrounding his character. Would he have had sex with Mia Wallace? Did he purposely shoot Marvin in the head? Why does he hate Butch Coolidge so much? It is clear that Vincent is a creation that Tarantino holds close to his heart. Whether the scene involves Vince busting some trophy winning moves, or bickering with Jules while in Jimmys terrible clothes, his charm and humorous quality as a character is without doubt what helps make Pulp Fiction, in my humble opinion, Tarantinos finest film out of a career full of amazing films. Without Vince would Pulp be seen as the tremendous black comedy it is? I dont think so. Without Vince would Travolta still be working today in Hollywood? Probably not. Would Jules Winnfield have been remembered so fondly if he didnt have the hilarious, quirky and messed-up partnership he has with Vince? No. Vince is without doubt Travoltas greatest performance, and though I love Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump, I certainly believe that Travolta shouldve won the Oscar for best actor in 1994. Though my hopes and wishes of seeing Vincent Vega on screen with his brother Vic Vega in a Vega Bros. film have been squashed due to Tarantino saying both actors are now too old to reprise the roles as the film would have to be a death-necessitated prequel to both Pulp and Reservoir. I am still thankful that I can rewatch Pulp Fiction over and over again, which I have done many times, and appreciate the brilliantly entertaining character that is Vincent Vega, and every now and then, pick up something new about the character that Tarantinos brilliant yet subtle writing had never revealed before.
So there you have it, my Top 20 Tarantino characters. Who do you think shouldve taken top spot? Were there any characters I missed out from the bizarre mind of Tarantino that you wouldve included? Feel free to comment in the section below.