re: Pulp Fiction: The Bonnie Situation

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What heft does Jimmy have to talk shite like that to Jules, who is otherwise a bad MF?

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They obviously have a history. Jimmy seems to be half-in/half-out of the gangster life - maybe he was a bad MF when he was younger?

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Jimmy's repetitive use of the N word feels forced and awkward.

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I think that reinforces the above - Jules seems to accept it as a peer (or at least a past one) - and one from whom he needs a big favor.

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And the Wolf gets way too much credit for knowing how to use a water hose and wipe blood out of a car.

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Jules and Vincent are soldiers - they do what they're told. But, they're not the sharpest tools in the shed. Wolf represents leadership - he brought perspective, planning and prioritization to the situation. There is also a phenomenon in combat situations - stress causes sensory overload - leadership provides purpose, direction and motivation during these times. Wolf provides all that at Jimmy's house.

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He really brings nothing to the table except having a connection at the junkyard.

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And the aforementioned purpose, direction and motivation.

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Weakest scene in a great movie.

What heft does Jimmy have to talk shite like that to Jules, who is otherwise a bad MF? Jimmy's repetitive use of the N word feels forced and awkward. But Tarantino always does that.

And the Wolf gets way too much credit for knowing how to use a water hose and wipe blood out of a car. He really brings nothing to the table except having a connection at the junkyard.

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lol. just lol

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Weakest scene in a great movie.

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Not at all, it has conflict between the "criminal life" of Jules, and the "civilian life" of Jimmy.
And it nuances a slight foreshadowing of Jules decision to change his life.

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What heft does Jimmy have to talk shite like that to Jules, who is otherwise a bad MF?

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In spite of their opting for different lives, Jules and Jimmy are obviously old friends who respect one another.
Jimmy allows Jules to bring his bad "situation" to his home, and helps him, and Jules trusts Jimmy to do so.

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Jimmy's repetitive use of the N word feels forced and awkward. But Tarantino always does that.

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Stressful situation for all, Jimmy as well.
Would you have Jimmy adopt a different way of speaking when he rants, a la Hil Clinton depending on who she speaks to? Most people don't.

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And the Wolf gets way too much credit for knowing how to use a water hose and wipe blood out of a car. He really brings nothing to the table except having a connection at the junkyard.

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Wolf's leadership is what's needed in the situation, and his leadership gives confidence to Jules, Vincent, and Jimmy that they will get through it.

Would you say General Patton "brought nothing to the table" in WW2 because he gave orders but didn't fight himself? uh, no.

By the way, there are three choices of presenting conflict between criminal life and civilian life.

One, Jimmy turns Jules away, but that would mean they aren't old friends that still respect one another.

Two, Jimmy expresses a concern about police, getting caught with a body, and two hit men in his home from a criminal organization.

But that sets up further conflict that would have to be resolved in the film, that resolution is Jimmy would have to be killed.

Three, Jimmy expresses this conflict with "the Bonnie Situation", he's worried about his wife getting pissed and leaving him.

The conflict is resolved by Wolf and company.

This is the best choice.

By the way, best Wolfism is when he points out the "difference between having character", and "being a character".