20 Things You Didn't Know About Jackie Brown
8. Bridget Fonda's Character Is Based On A Real Actress
Ordell Robbie's operation has a bit of a fatal flaw in that of Beach Bunny Melanie Ralston. Bridget Fonda's character is not particularly helpful, spending much of the movie smoking weed until she's called upon to participate in the film's big money smuggling scene that she ultimately botches.
And she doesn't botch it by failing to perform her tasks, but criticizing others. She's helplessly gunned down by Louis after mocking him for forgetting where to park. It's her untimely, spur of the moment death that leads to Robbie killing his longtime friend Louis.
But Fonda's character didn't come from whatever planet she appears to think she's living on throughout the film, rather she's based on 70s str of trashy drive-in cinema Candace Rialson. Rialson appeared in Candy Stripe Nurses and Mama's Dirty Girls, and she was a favourite of Tarantino. He based Melanie's characteristics on that of Rialson.
It's unknown whether or not Rialson ever saw Jackie Brown, but she was alive at the time. She's since passed in 2006 due to liver disease.