A washed-up TV actor and his stunt double struggle to find work
in 1969 Los Angeles at the end of Hollywood's Golden Age. COMEDY
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Once Upon a Time
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So here we are. The ninth film by Quentin Tarantino. And, by his own admission, his second to last film before his retirement. Like many film lovers, I was excited upon the announcement of this film. A stacked cast and an intriguing storyline all piqued my interest, much like his previous films. The trailers looked great and reviews were good. As for what I thought. I liked it. It’s not my all-time favorite film of his, but a more mature, soulful film. So, with that, let’s get into it.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt lead the large ensemble cast as our main characters. Both deliver some of their finest performances of their careers. DiCaprio is great as washed-up actor Rick Dalton, giving a performance which is both sad and funny. Pitt also shines as Dalton’s stuntman, giving off the cool man vibe that we all assume he already has. Another thing I love about this movie is the total attention to detail Tarantino brings in recreating a 1969 Los Angeles. You can tell he’s a massive fan of this era and the movie looks like it easily could have been made for the time. Like I said earlier, this isn’t going to be one of my favorites of his. Yes, the film is a lot more mature and soulful than anything he’s put out in the past. But, that also means there’s a couple of signature Tarantino moments which are missing from the film. So, a mixed bag for me there. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is a much different film from Quentin Tarantino. This is a film where you can tell a part of him is sad to be retiring. And I get it. He has been a trailblazer since Reservoir Dogs came out in the 90's. He has had a huge influence on American cinema and has become an icon. With that, this is another solid film by him, and I can’t wait for what he goes out on.
Well, Tarantino has certainly done it again. His 9th installment, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is his most sincere film to date in my opinion. It is widely known that it’s a love letter to 1960’s Los Angeles and they nailed it with the setting, costumes, and casting choices. I want to go ahead and say that I have no problem with how this film stays true while also taking liberties in changing history. Quentin has obviously done this before, and it was an absolute pleasure to go back in time and see things unfold in a different way.
It was great to have some mega stars on the screen, unhinged and on the loose with a script from one of the best writers to ever do it. Leonardo DiCaprio has not shown this kind of versatility in a long time, or maybe ever. Brad Pitt literally gets to play with the ideas we have of him as an actor. He has slicked back hair, shades always on, a Hawaiian shirt on (sometimes off), tight jeans, and some fucking moccasins. Margot Robbie may not have many lines, but watching her stroll through L.A. is mesmerizing. One of my favorite scenes is when she goes to a theater to watch herself in a film. Trust me, you just got to go see this for yourself. The rest of the cast is spectacular and I truly love how fresh this film is, even for Tarantino. I believe it will dominate at the 92nd Academy Awards, and go down as a very important piece of Hollywood history. |
A Quentin Tarantino film is an event. It only happens every few years and if he holds true to his retirement declaration, we've only got one left. But his films are unique to say the least. Regardless of historical fact, he tells his stories the way he wants them to be told. We saw this big time in Inglourious Basterds, and we see it again to an even higher degree in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, arguably his funniest and most satisfying film he's ever made. With this film, Tarantino gave audiences his love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood and the style of 1969 Los Angeles. In the background of this hilarious buddy movie, we have actress Sharon Tate living on Cielo Drive in the Hollywood Hills and a compound of crazed hippies looking to make their mark on the world. But in Tarantino's world, things don't always work out the way they're supposed to.
Returning to the big screen for the first time in four years is Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton, a former superstar trying to get back on TV. DiCaprio gives one of his greatest performances as a good actor struggling to be accepted by both audiences and himself. His partner in crime is Cliff Booth, his stunt double played by Brad Pitt in an equally great performance. The two have impeccable chemistry that brings out the best in their likable, layered characters. Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate in a fairly minor role, but she does a great job. The supporting cast is fantastic, with appearances by Damian Lewis as Steve McQueen, Mike Moh as Bruce Lee, and many others that round out an incredible cast and a story that kept me engaged the entire time. I didn't even notice the runtime. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has an ending that's so satisfying to people familiar with the Manson murders, particularly the murder of Sharon Tate. I won't spoil it, but it's bonkers in such a good way. Tarantino has done it again, delivering an insanely great film that brilliantly showcases the atmosphere of 1960's Hollywood without ever going too far, while at the same providing a singular story that people will be talking about for years to come. |