Quentin Tarantino has been labeled a “hypocrite” for his response to Rosanna Arquette‘s critique of his movies. The director fired back at the actress after she criticized his use of racial slurs in several of his films.
Arquette, who appeared in Tarantino’s cult classic “Pulp Fiction,” recently claimed that the filmmaker has often gotten away with using the n-word in his motion pictures.
The exchange builds on a long-running debate in Hollywood about that particular element of Tarantino’s filmmaking.
In response to Arquette’s critique, the “Kill Bill” director penned a letter claiming it is a complete turnaround from her behavior at the time he cast her in “Pulp Fiction.”
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Rosanna Arquette Called Quentin Tarantino’s N-Word Use In Films ‘Racist And Creepy’
In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, Arquette acknowledged the lasting cultural impact of “Pulp Fiction,” but criticized Tarantino’s repeated use of the n-word in his films.
“It’s iconic, a great film on a lot of levels,” she said. “But, personally, I am over the use of the n-word; I hate it.”
Arquette went on to argue that the director has been given a free pass within the industry to use language that other filmmakers would likely face backlash for.
“I cannot stand that he has been given a hall pass,” Arquette said. “It’s not art, it’s just racist and creepy.”
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Quentin Tarantino Says Arquette Showed ‘No Honor’ After Criticizing ‘Pulp Fiction’
In Tarantino’s letter addressing the actress, the filmmaker accused Arquette of lacking gratitude and honor.
“Do you feel this way now?” Tarantino questioned. “But after I gave you a job, and you took the money, to trash it for what I suspect is very cynical reasons, shows a decided lack of class, no less honor.”
The “Django Unchained” director also expressed some surprise that Arquette did not show what he described as a basic sense of solidarity with a fellow industry pro.
“There is supposed to be an esprit de corps between artistic colleagues,” he said. “But it would appear the objective was accomplished.”
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Critics Point To Tarantino’s Past Feuds After Arquette Letter
Tarantino has been outspoken against multiple film industry professionals over the years.
As such, the apparent irony of his comments was not lost on critics, many of whom took to social media to highlight the director’s perceived “hypocrisy.”
“Ain’t no way bro has a problem with someone voicing their opinion on film after how he talked about Paul Dano,” one user commented on X.
A similar sentiment was expressed by a different commenter, who wrote, “Nope. You don’t get to diss Paul Dano, Matthew Lillard, and Bruce Lee and then suddenly act like everyone’s gotta be classy and respectful. Double-standard. Huge talent, sure, but also huge ego.”
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Arquette Claims She Didn’t Receive Box Office Profits From ‘Pulp Fiction’
While Tarantino is quick to point to the money Arquette earned from “Pulp Fiction,” the actress claimed she never received a share of the box office profits.
According to Arquette, she was the only member of the film’s main cast who never received backend compensation.
“I’m the only person who didn’t get a backend,” she told The Sunday Times. “Everybody made money except me.”
The BAFTA-winning star placed the blame on producer Harvey Weinstein, though she acknowledged that some of her peers who encountered the disgraced Hollywood mogul endured far worse.
“I was fortunate because I was not raped,” Arquette said.
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Samuel L. Jackson Once Defended Quentin Tarantino Against Racism Claims
Tarantino’s frequent use of the n-word in his films has long been a subject of discussion in Hollywood, with some of his colleagues stepping forward to defend the director’s intentions.
Among them is longtime collaborator Samuel L. Jackson, who once pushed back against his colleague’s naysayers.
In an interview with Charlie Rose, Jackson said that the specific roles Tarantino offered him over the years prove that he cannot be racist.
“I always tell people I don’t understand why they can’t look at his work and realize that every character he’s ever given me, he is pretty much the smartest character in the film,” he said. “For him to write characters like that for me would be impossible for a racist to do.”