Jackie Brown (1997) is not the kind of crime thriller that demands our attention with pyrotechnics and car chases. Rather, Tarantino’s third film takes its time to develop a world populated by characters with genuine depth. As a result, there is an authenticity to what would otherwise be a far-fetched plot, and it is clear the intelligence of the characters motivates the action, and not some directorial influence ex machina. Tarantino keeps his hand close to his chest — as the events of the film unfold, we can never be sure quite who is one step ahead of everyone else.