Quentin Tarantino’s favourite Quentin Tarantino character: “I have no idea where she came from”
Over the years, Quentin Tarantino has become equally as well-known for his writing as his directing, with his rapid dialogue style and sprawling storylines becoming trademarks of his penmanship. Through early films like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, Tarantino established a colourful voice through his eccentric characters and non-linear narratives, building a legacy through his scrappy approach to independent filmmaking and forever changing the business.
From that point onwards, he only continued expanding on his interests and indistinguishable style, often infusing historical revisionism into his work through films like Inglorious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with fans endlessly picking apart his work for nods to other films and directors.
However, the filmmaker is most praised for the truly iconic characters he has created, whether it be Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction, Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or The Bride in Kill Bill. But while any writer will equally love all the characters they have brought into the world, there is one that Tarantino (and many of his fans) find most fascinating.
Pulp Fiction has one of the biggest cult followings of all time, with an endless number of Tarantino fanboys displaying the poster of Mia Wallace above their beds as she coquettishly gazes at the camera while smoking a cigarette. From the moment that Marvin is accidentally shot in the head to the dancing competition in the dress-up diner, there were countless scenes that pointed towards the fact that it would become an undeniable classic, and Tarantino, a Hollywood legend.
But perhaps more beloved than the film itself are the characters, with an ensemble cast that brings to life some of the strangest and most unpredictable people realised on screen. While they’re all unique additions to the story, many have cited the sheer influence of Mia Wallace in particular, with her signature outfit and one-liners marking her as one of the most revered in the director’s filmography.
This is something that Tarantino agreed with himself, describing Wallace as one of the most fascinating and favourite characters he had created. When discussing this, he explained, “Because I have no idea where she came from. I have no idea whatsoever. She’s not from another movie, she’s not somebody I know, she’s not a fantasy girl, she’s not really a part of me, she’s not a side of me.”
Adding, “I knew when I was writing that story, I knew nothing more about Mia than Vincent did. All I knew were the rumours. I didn’t know who she was at all until they got to Jack Rabbit Slim’s and she opened her mouth. Then, all of a sudden, this character emerged with her own rhythm of speech. I don’t know where she came from, and that’s why I love her.”
Sometimes the stories we love most are the ones that take us by surprise, and for Tarantino, her unexpected arrival into his head made for a memorable and vivacious addition to the film, occupying a soft spot in his heart.
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