Quentin Tarantino rebukes Rosanna Arquette after criticism of N-word use in his films

Quentin Tarantino has issued a pointed response after actor Rosanna Arquette criticised his use of the N-word in his films during a recent interview discussing her role in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction.

In a career-spanning conversation with The Sunday Times, Arquette reflected on her appearance in the film, in which she played Jody, the wife of Eric Stoltz’s drug dealer character Lance. While acknowledging the film’s reputation, she expressed strong reservations about the director’s repeated use of the racial slur in his work.

“Personally I am over the use of the N-word — I hate it,” Arquette said in the interview published on Saturday. “I cannot stand that he [Tarantino] has been given a hall pass. It’s not art, it’s just racist and creepy.”

Tarantino responded on Monday in a written statement addressed directly to Arquette, criticising the actor for speaking negatively about the film years after appearing in it.

“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?” the writer-director wrote.

He continued, “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.”

Debate over Tarantino’s use of the racial slur in his films has persisted for years. The term appears about 20 times in Pulp Fiction, while critics frequently point to its use nearly 110 times in the 2012 western Django Unchained.

Despite the criticism, several collaborators have defended Tarantino’s writing. “Django Unchained” star Jamie Foxx and frequent collaborator Samuel L. Jackson have both previously supported the filmmaker’s approach to dialogue in historical and character-driven narratives.

Tarantino concluded his statement by suggesting that professional solidarity should exist among collaborators. “There is supposed to be an esprit de corps between artistic colleagues. But it would appear the objective was accomplished.”