I think the role of women in Tarantino movies has experienced an interesting progression and throughout his films.
Reservoir Dogs: No women whatsoever. Only referenced in conversations between the dogs, and always in a sexual context (think “Like a Virgin”, Nice Guy Eddie’s story about the black woman who glued her husband’s dick etc.)
Pulp Fiction: There are women present in the film, but they’re depicted as being quite dependant on their boyfriends and husbands. Many of them even foolishly cause unwanted trouble and it’s up to the male to try and solve the problem. Think Fabienne and the watch. Think Mia and the overdose. The guys get all the spotlight and ultimately save the day. Still, it’s quite an improvement on dogs, as Mia is also the main character featured in all promotional posters.
Jackie Brown: Now here’s quite an improvement. For the first time in a Tarantino film, the story deals mainly with a woman. Quite an independent woman who manages to outwit everyone around her, both the criminals and the ATF guys. Quite a contrast to the troublemaker females in Pulp. We also find a recurring love theme between the two protagonists for the first time in a QT film.
Kill Bill: The exact opposite of Dogs, in the sense that nearly all of the protagonists are females. The hero is female and proves to be stronger than her male ex-employer. In this instance, it is often the male who foolishly takes the wrong decision and ends up paying the price; contrary to Pulp. Bill doesn’t finish the Bride off, Budd buries her alive etc. Amidst all the slaughter, there is also place for a love story…not only between man and woman, but also between mother and daughter, as evidenced in the last chapter of Volume 2. This is quite a novelty when it comes to QT films.
