Quentin Tarantino slams Rosanna Arquette over criticism of N-word in 'Pulp Fiction'

Quentin Tarantino has responded to Rosanna Arquette after the actress criticized his use of the N-word in the 1994 classic Pulp Fiction.

Arquette, 66, who appeared in the ensemble cast of the film, spoke with the U.K.’s The Sunday Times on March 7, saying she is “over the use of the N-word” in movies. 

“I hate it. I cannot stand that [Tarantino] has been given a hall pass,” she said, calling the language in his films “just racist and creepy.”

Tarantino, 62, addressed her remarks in a statement released by his publicists on March 9. “Dear Rosanna, 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? Do you feel this way now? Very possibly,” he wrote.

He continued: “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. 

There is supposed to be an esprit de corps between artistic colleagues. But it would appear the objective was accomplished. Congratulations. Q.”

A representative for Tarantino did not immediately respond to People’s request for further comment. Arquette, reached on March 10, said she had “no response” to Tarantino’s statement.

In her interview, Arquette also described Pulp Fiction as “iconic [and] a great film on a lot of levels,” despite criticizing its language. 

She played Jody, the wife of Eric Stoltz’s character Lance, appearing in scenes with John Travolta’s Vincent Vega.

Tarantino’s work has long sparked debate for its profanity and racial slurs. His 2012 film Django Unchained features the N-word roughly 110 times, while The Hateful Eight uses it about 47 times. 

Pulp Fiction reportedly contains the word around 20 times. Samuel L. Jackson, who appears in six of Tarantino’s nine films, once dismissed the controversy over Django Unchained as “some bulls---,” and Jamie Foxx has said the language reflected the historical setting.

Arquette also addressed financial grievances, stating she never received a share of Pulp Fiction’s box office profits, attributing it to producer Harvey Weinstein, who is serving a prison sentence for sex crimes. 

“I’m the only person who didn’t get a back end. Everybody made money except me,” she said.