Centering on a group of jewel thieves bickering with increasing severity after a heist goes horribly wrong, Reservoir Dogs broke several molds, inspired numerous imitators, and immediately turned writer/director Quentin Tarantino into an adjective. Its brisk pace, unconventional structure, fondness for pastiche, cavalier approach to violence, and rambling dialogue became hallmarks of independent cinema for the remainder of the decade (and beyond). It would be difficult to fully assess the shadow that Reservoir Dogs left on pop culture in the years since its debut.
Of course, Ryan and Rachel try to make an assessment anyways. Discussion topics for this recording include how Reservoir Dogs approaches masculinity, how postmodern philosophy colors the film, and Tarantino's debt to the French New Wave and New Hollywood movements.
