Plump Fiction

Plump Fiction is a 1997 spoof comedy film cleverly directed by Bob Koherr. The movie parodies some of Hollywood's most iconic films, primarily Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, but also includes send-ups of other classics like Natural Born Killers, The Godfather, and Desperado. The film features a talented ensemble cast including Tommy Davidson, Julie Brown, and Paul Dinello, who all breathe life into this madcap parody.

The film has an animated, dynamic, and far-fetched storyline marked by interconnected vignettes that encompass diverse genres and styles. The playful narrative evokes laughter through its absurd representation and over-the-top dramatization of well-recognized movie scenes.

The main plot revolves around the characters Jimmy Nova (Tommy Davidson), an amusing mimicry of John Travolta's character from Pulp Fiction, and the ever hilarious Julie Brown reprising an equivalent to Uma Thurman's role, in this case, known as "Muffin Buffin." The unexpected pair embarks on an absurd adventure which forms the backbone of the story.

We also meet a gang of bickering criminals, represented as the "Reservoir Nuns," led by the short-tempered gangster "Bumpy Splinters" played brilliantly by Paul Dinello. Bumpy and his ‘Nuns’ engage in comically inept crime sprees and add an additional angle of humor to the film.

The movie also features a noteworthy performance from Sandra Bernhard who hams it up gloriously as a parody of the infamous Mallory from Natural Born Killers. Bernhard’s character takes the absurdity of situations to new heights in her satire-driven exploits with her over-the-top husband.

The presentation plays with the order of its narrative as seen in the original Pulp Fiction, lending the story a disjointed yet intriguing allure. Plump Fiction ensures its humor stays absurdly light-hearted, steeped more in slapstick and parody than direct satire. The humor is purposely over-the-top, suitable for those who appreciate total farce and cinematic jokes.

Director Bob Koherr presents this cavalcade of spoofs with a light touch, ensuring that every parody is not just an imitation but an innovative comic twist on the original. The film maximizes its laughs by reproducing familiar scenes but with heightened absurdity, wonderfully defying the audiences' expectations. It simultaneously pays homage to some brilliant scenes from the original movies while turning them into something exceedingly hilarious.

The performances by the cast are worthy of mention. Tommy Davidson shines as Jimmy Nova with his offbeat humor, embodying John Travolta's hitman persona and tweaking it to hilarious effect. Julie Brown portrays Muffin Hedley with entertaining flair, amalgamating Uma Thurman's elusive charm with her distinct comedic style.

Paul Dinello steals his scenes as the intimidating Bumpy Splinter. His performance successfully brings alive the cruel but timed humor, familiar to fans of Tarantino's original. Sandra Bernhard’s scenes are laugh-inducing, suburbly projecting the satirical side of the film. The supporting cast also gives strong performances, adding to the film's overall comedic impact.

Plump Fiction's camera work and production design also deserve appreciation. The movie cleverly revisits the iconic sets and styles of Tarantino's and other directors’ classics, right from Bumpy's warehouse to Muffin's idiosyncratic dining room. The cinematography captures the parody essence of the story effectively, highlighting its exaggerated humor.

The movie also has an interesting soundtrack, featuring well-chosen songs that amusingly complement the on-screen farce. The sound design and editing features stand out, as they are instrumental in transforming the original scenes into an element of parody.

In conclusion, Plump Fiction is a hilarious spoof midway between homage and parody. It offers an in-film universe where comedy stretches its imagination to poke light-hearted fun at the iconic, often dark and grim narratives of celebrated Hollywood films. For anyone who is a fan of the spoof genre and enjoys laughing at exaggerated treatments of familiar scenes, Plump Fiction is unquestionably a fun-filled cinematic joy ride that perfectly captures the essence of what a parody should be.