Rosanna Arquette is speaking out about Quentin Tarantino‘s use of racial slurs during Pulp Fiction, finding the use to be “racist and creepy.”
However, Tarantino is hitting back at the actress, stating that she profited off the film, too.
Rosanna Arquette’s Criticism
During an interview with The Sunday Times, Arquette talked about her small role in Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction. She played Jody, wife to drug dealer Lance (Eric Stoltz).
While she states it’s “a great film on a lot of levels,” she disapproves of the racial slurs used within.
“Personally I am over the use of the N-word — I hate it. I cannot stand that [Tarantino] has been given a hall pass. It’s not art, it’s just racist and creepy.” She goes on to address Hollywood’s “lenience” with the director.
Arquette also talked about some lingering resentment for the money she didn’t see after the film’s release.
“I’m the only person who didn’t get a back end [a share of the takings]. Everybody made money except me.” She blamed her lack of cut on Harvey Weinstein, the movie’s producer.
Quentin Tarantino Fires Back
On Monday, Quentin Tarantino responded to Arquette’s comments with a letter, calling her out for trashing the film and showing “a decided lack of class, no less honor.”
Below is Tarantino’s full letter to Arquette:
Dear Rosanna,
I hope the publicity you’re getting from 132 different media outlets writing your name and printing your picture was worth disrespecting me and a film I remember quite clearly you were thrilled to be a part of?
Do you feel this way now?
Very possibly.
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.
There is supposed to be an esprit de corps between artistic colleagues.
But it would appear the objective was accomplished.
Congratulations
Q
Further Tarantino Criticism
It’s important to note that Arquette is not the only one criticizing Tarantino’s use of the N-word.
The racial slur is used in Pulp Fiction around 20 times, but many critics often look to Tarantino’s other film, Django Unchained, which uses the slur almost 110 times.
Fellow director Spike Lee has mentioned in an interview with Variety that Tarantino was “infatuated with that word,” saying, “What does he want to be made – an honorary black man?”
Lee also spoke out after Django Unchained, saying, “American Slavery Was Not a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western. It Was A Holocaust.”
However, Tarantino’s use of the slur has long been defended by Jamie Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson, who have both worked with the director in the past.
Tarantino also defended himself in a 2015 interview with The New York Times, stating, “In a lot of the more ugly pieces, my motives were really brought to bear in the most negative way. It’s like I’m some supervillain coming up with this stuff.”