Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.
In Quentin Tarantino's ninth and reportedly penultimate film, set in 1969 Hollywood, aging TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) along with his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) try to navigate a changing Hollywood film industry all while living next door to rising star Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie).
The anticipation for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood has been so exhilarating, and I am already thankful to everyone involved for creating a film which generates just as much cultural conversation as the latest action blockbuster. It has been a really exciting conversation and is a strong case to support the argument that star power can be extremely influential. This is a rare and exciting scenario where the name of the man behind the camera is just as influential as the iconic and instantly recognisable faces in front of it. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood delivers upon everything and anything I could've wanted. I have never had higher expectations for a film, and because of that, Tarantino and all the other living legends involved with this have achieved what I had thought was impossible: meeting those astronomical expectations, and subverting them, all in the same breath.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a sensory experience, with audiences being transported back to Hollywood of 1969 through Tarantino's unique and intricate eye. Being a film purist, Tarantino never utilises the modern tools of CGI to create this environment from 50 years ago. He relies on and embraces the artistry of the production design to genuinely transform Los Angeles back to how it was in '69, and it makes all the difference. It feels so authentic, but the cinematography and the movements of the camera - especially in those thrilling driving sequences - allow it to also feel like a dream... a fairy tale.
The episodes of Rick Dalton's show Bounty Law also feel very authentic - another homage to the era and clearly a nod to the kinds of shows that Tarantino himself enjoyed when he was young, which therefore gives the film a personal touch from the outset. Although many are saying that this doesn't feel like a Tarantino film, I felt his distinct fingerprint in every frame. I think that people need to open their minds to the idea that he is much more than violence and gore. His love for the industry radiates through the screen and speakers with the atmosphere he establishes, but the frequent references to the legendary directors of the spaghetti westerns of the 60s and the mentioning of films that had such a cultural significance of that era demonstrates not only his adoration, but his extensive knowledge of the industry as a whole, all embedded in the fast, witty exchanges between characters. It is Tarantino through and through. Although the dialogue itself is naturally quick and fun, the pacing of the film in its entirety isn't particularly fast, and there are complaints about how there is a lack of actual plot and that the story meanders indulgently, but that is what I found to be the beauty of it. The plot is consistent. It moves at a very steady pace for the first two acts, which feels true to what Tarantino was going for. It is two days in their lives. Cyclical, and, even though the characters are living in luxurious and exciting environments and are in fortunate positions, this is the norm for them - nothing genuinely life-changing occurs in those couple of days except for them coming to terms with those gradual and inevitable changes of their careers. The charm and enjoyment I found was living in this setting and experiencing the status quo through the eyes of Dalton, Booth and Tate. It is a fabulous and thrilling place to be.
...Especially since these characters are brought to life exceptionally by, arguably, the greatest ensemble cast of... ever? Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt's duo dynamic is one for the ages; an instantly iconic friendship and, surprisingly, really tender and soulful. Brad Pitt is effortless in his role as Cliff Booth, and although it is not the most technically challenging from an acting perspective, he nails the character so perfectly that he deserves every ounce of praise he is receiving, and this is perhaps his greatest performance. Bringing to life an easy-going, content and effortlessly cool stuntman with minimal worries, his problems tend to revolve around others, mostly Rick's. Naturally, this makes him such a lovable character due to the dedication to his friendship with Rick, and ultimately steals the show. Speaking of Rick, DiCaprio delivers one of the greatest performances of his career. When considering his contemporaries, his performances sit in an elite tier above any other apex talent working today. The only performances you can compare to DiCaprio's are his own, and his portrayal of Rick Dalton in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sits among the top of this elite group. It's hilarious, devastating and genuine; what makes it even greater is the fact that these emotions are all felt at the same time. His ability to convey countless different emotions and bring out those same emotions in the audience is really special and makes for a very well-rounded experience. Much like this is a career-culminating film for Tarantino, I feel like DiCaprio's portrayal of Rick Dalton is a culmination of several of his performances and is somewhat career-defining. There are very strong elements of The Aviator, The Wolf Of Wall Street and Django Unchained that are present in his work in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
As if these two legends weren't enough, Margot Robbie does a phenomenal job at embodying the grace and innocence of the late Sharon Tate and honours her legacy. There is a scene teased in the trailer where Tate watches her own performance on the big screen and experiences the thrill of audiences appreciating her work, which is extremely charming and is delivered in such a subtle and - when aware of the historical context - bittersweet way. People are arguing on the web that Robbie's character has no impact on the plot and therefore has no reason to be in the film, which completely undermines the message Tarantino is trying to communicate here. Yes, you do need to be aware of everything that went on with the Manson Murders to really understand the third act, but nonetheless, the character of Sharon Tate is absolutely integral to what Once Upon A Time In Hollywood represents from a thematic perspective, something I plan to write about separately when spoilers can be discussed more openly.
Tarantino has made nine films. Three films per decade. This is the third of the third, and nothing has resonated with me more from an emotional standpoint. There are some films that hit me perfectly on every single level that it feels like they are made for me - La La Land is one of the more recent examples. But, I can gleefully say that Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is the latest addition to that exclusive list, and I am genuinely grateful that it exists.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a technically flawless and outstandingly performed homage to the film industry of the 1960s. The beauty of the film is how Quentin Tarantino gives audiences the opportunity to follow these characters through their day-to-day lives that culminates in a third act which is explosive and hilarious in its execution but tender and hopeful in its sentiment. Tarantino's presence is felt strongly in every frame of the film, but not in the way one would expect. It's a soulful love letter to the industry he loves and a transcendent viewing experience for everybody else. Tarantino's third chef-dœuvre. Something I am thrilled to call a masterpiece.
The anticipation for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood has been so exhilarating, and I am already thankful to everyone involved for creating a film which generates just as much cultural conversation as the latest action blockbuster. It has been a really exciting conversation and is a strong case to support the argument that star power can be extremely influential. This is a rare and exciting scenario where the name of the man behind the camera is just as influential as the iconic and instantly recognisable faces in front of it. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood delivers upon everything and anything I could've wanted. I have never had higher expectations for a film, and because of that, Tarantino and all the other living legends involved with this have achieved what I had thought was impossible: meeting those astronomical expectations, and subverting them, all in the same breath.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a sensory experience, with audiences being transported back to Hollywood of 1969 through Tarantino's unique and intricate eye. Being a film purist, Tarantino never utilises the modern tools of CGI to create this environment from 50 years ago. He relies on and embraces the artistry of the production design to genuinely transform Los Angeles back to how it was in '69, and it makes all the difference. It feels so authentic, but the cinematography and the movements of the camera - especially in those thrilling driving sequences - allow it to also feel like a dream... a fairy tale.
The episodes of Rick Dalton's show Bounty Law also feel very authentic - another homage to the era and clearly a nod to the kinds of shows that Tarantino himself enjoyed when he was young, which therefore gives the film a personal touch from the outset. Although many are saying that this doesn't feel like a Tarantino film, I felt his distinct fingerprint in every frame. I think that people need to open their minds to the idea that he is much more than violence and gore. His love for the industry radiates through the screen and speakers with the atmosphere he establishes, but the frequent references to the legendary directors of the spaghetti westerns of the 60s and the mentioning of films that had such a cultural significance of that era demonstrates not only his adoration, but his extensive knowledge of the industry as a whole, all embedded in the fast, witty exchanges between characters. It is Tarantino through and through. Although the dialogue itself is naturally quick and fun, the pacing of the film in its entirety isn't particularly fast, and there are complaints about how there is a lack of actual plot and that the story meanders indulgently, but that is what I found to be the beauty of it. The plot is consistent. It moves at a very steady pace for the first two acts, which feels true to what Tarantino was going for. It is two days in their lives. Cyclical, and, even though the characters are living in luxurious and exciting environments and are in fortunate positions, this is the norm for them - nothing genuinely life-changing occurs in those couple of days except for them coming to terms with those gradual and inevitable changes of their careers. The charm and enjoyment I found was living in this setting and experiencing the status quo through the eyes of Dalton, Booth and Tate. It is a fabulous and thrilling place to be.
...Especially since these characters are brought to life exceptionally by, arguably, the greatest ensemble cast of... ever? Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt's duo dynamic is one for the ages; an instantly iconic friendship and, surprisingly, really tender and soulful. Brad Pitt is effortless in his role as Cliff Booth, and although it is not the most technically challenging from an acting perspective, he nails the character so perfectly that he deserves every ounce of praise he is receiving, and this is perhaps his greatest performance. Bringing to life an easy-going, content and effortlessly cool stuntman with minimal worries, his problems tend to revolve around others, mostly Rick's. Naturally, this makes him such a lovable character due to the dedication to his friendship with Rick, and ultimately steals the show. Speaking of Rick, DiCaprio delivers one of the greatest performances of his career. When considering his contemporaries, his performances sit in an elite tier above any other apex talent working today. The only performances you can compare to DiCaprio's are his own, and his portrayal of Rick Dalton in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood sits among the top of this elite group. It's hilarious, devastating and genuine; what makes it even greater is the fact that these emotions are all felt at the same time. His ability to convey countless different emotions and bring out those same emotions in the audience is really special and makes for a very well-rounded experience. Much like this is a career-culminating film for Tarantino, I feel like DiCaprio's portrayal of Rick Dalton is a culmination of several of his performances and is somewhat career-defining. There are very strong elements of The Aviator, The Wolf Of Wall Street and Django Unchained that are present in his work in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
As if these two legends weren't enough, Margot Robbie does a phenomenal job at embodying the grace and innocence of the late Sharon Tate and honours her legacy. There is a scene teased in the trailer where Tate watches her own performance on the big screen and experiences the thrill of audiences appreciating her work, which is extremely charming and is delivered in such a subtle and - when aware of the historical context - bittersweet way. People are arguing on the web that Robbie's character has no impact on the plot and therefore has no reason to be in the film, which completely undermines the message Tarantino is trying to communicate here. Yes, you do need to be aware of everything that went on with the Manson Murders to really understand the third act, but nonetheless, the character of Sharon Tate is absolutely integral to what Once Upon A Time In Hollywood represents from a thematic perspective, something I plan to write about separately when spoilers can be discussed more openly.
Tarantino has made nine films. Three films per decade. This is the third of the third, and nothing has resonated with me more from an emotional standpoint. There are some films that hit me perfectly on every single level that it feels like they are made for me - La La Land is one of the more recent examples. But, I can gleefully say that Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is the latest addition to that exclusive list, and I am genuinely grateful that it exists.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a technically flawless and outstandingly performed homage to the film industry of the 1960s. The beauty of the film is how Quentin Tarantino gives audiences the opportunity to follow these characters through their day-to-day lives that culminates in a third act which is explosive and hilarious in its execution but tender and hopeful in its sentiment. Tarantino's presence is felt strongly in every frame of the film, but not in the way one would expect. It's a soulful love letter to the industry he loves and a transcendent viewing experience for everybody else. Tarantino's third chef-dœuvre. Something I am thrilled to call a masterpiece.
A+
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