ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (2019)

(Before you read this I suggest you see the film. As there are mild spoilers towards the end of this writing) 


Written & Directed by: Quentin Tarantino 
Cinematography: Robert Richardson 
Editor: Fred Raskin 


Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant, Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, Luke Perry, Emile Hirsch, Austin Butler, Lena Dunham, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Damien Lewis, Mike Moh, Kate Berlant, Danielle Harris, Lorena Izzo, Harley Quinn Smith, Maya Hawke, Kansas Bowling, Parker Love Bowling, Sydney Sweeney, Rumor Willis, Martin Kove, Leslie Bega, Dreama Walker, Clifton Collins Jr., Rebecca Gayheart, Samantha Robinson, Scoot Mcnairy, Omar Doom, Brenda Vacarro, Mikey Madison, Nicholas Hammond, Clu Gulager, Lew Temple, Vincent Laresca 


Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.

It’s hard for me to write reviews of Quentin Tarantino movies because he makes movies that are so Open for discussion. Especially when you explore his films with his open Outspokenness. Not to mention sometimes he buries himself with his interviews that take away from just paying attention to his vision. As he can easily come off as bratty to some or a blowhard.

Though his films show such enthusiasm while breaking the rules and seeming to be allowed to do it. His celebrity status allows him to be the Rare director as also celebrity which makes him an open target and his Brattish behavior doesn’t help as to some it makes him come off as spoiled.

It also doesn’t help that after PULP FICTION each film has been a mash up genre exercise and his version of a type of film. That at heart are kind of exploitation but Also genre exercises while being taken Seriously enough by the powers that be to be considered upper echelon as they are blockbuster films with artistic aspirations. He has been controversial but on a personal front it isn’t easy as he is one of The Godfather’s for me to believing I could be a filmmaker yes even as talented and awe inspiring as watching some films make it make me believe I have no business trying as I will never be that good. Martin Scorsese my cinematic god who inspired me first had planted the seed to grow and after seeing CLERKS and PULP FICTION those films showed me I could actually be a filmmaker. Do films myself so to speak.

Which is why when it comes to Quentin Tarantino and Kevin Smith It’s hard for me to compartmentalize their films. though with Mr. Smith as personal as his films became they are easier to break down. As they feel a little. It’s easier To market and brand. Where with Tarantino they are all over the place. With His inspirations and interpretations. So it is harder, which leaves them more open to discussion then just a testament of thoughts about his movies. As with certain films that are great or that you love. You can go on forever and still never quite feel like you have explained your feeling or love for it. Like any affair it sometimes is more something you feel personally rather then explain. Which is why For some films I see as classic or favorites I haven’t reviewed. though when it comes to Quentin Tarantino films I have written reviews of INGLORIOUS BASTERDS and JACKIE BROWN. Though still probably don’t come close to all my actual feelings about the films.

There is so much open territory that like classics It’s easier to discuss rather then write down my thoughts exactly as there is always more to discuss or discover. This one is no different as I probably only scratched some of the surface with this review.

What I enjoy about a new Quentin Tarantino movie is the open discussion it brings. From everyone across the board talking about or reviewing the films. With this film being about classic Hollywood and television, it will also bring more discussion of that. Plus after seeing his movies for me at least it’s Like reading a good book. You admire everything and want to do research on it and all that is mentioned. it inspires the imagination and personally inspires me to write more open and honestly. As like his first film for me it shows by example anything can happen.

I had to prepare myself before going to see this film. As this might be one of the last origins Quentin Tarantino has to offer going in Pure and be baptized by his sermon or is it scripture either way. I didn’t drown and came out/up as a believer. As I saw the light.

Watching a Quentin Tarantino movie is like, It’s like reading a comic book that has really well written thriller elements and memorable lines. As every time watching a film of his takes you away to a cinematic wonderland of fantasy dressed up as real.

Now for the review of the film...

A love of Hollywood history or of Hollywood of the past will help your deepening enjoyment of the film.

The film is a bit long but isn’t every good fairytale but seriously after the passing of long time editor Sally Menke who edited his films before. They have gotten absurdly longer to the point of self indulgence.

Yes, there is an indulgence to the whole film but it is handled with such enthusiasm, care and energy that shows a passion for the material that makes it worth it then so many movies that feel soulless or that feel they only exist for gimmicks and paychecks rather then love of the material and respect for the audience to entertain them and include them in it.

It’s obvious Tarantino has an affinity for these characters and these types of films, television and roles. This is like a journey into his psyche a bit. As this is his most personal film of the closest to personal other than KILL BILL maybe. Even though there seem to be bits of him in each of his films. This one even feels different from the rest while still exhibiting his style and showcasing his indulgences. You can tell he is having a ball more than ever.

You can tell that this started off as a novel for him as it continually emphasizes character and seems random and then slowly as the film goes along comes into focus. So at first we are truly getting to know the characters even though it doesn’t seem like much is going on and you are left wondering where it is going and how it will all come together. We are left wondering if each new character, situation or detail will come up later and are we getting tipped off.

This is pretty much a hangout movie. Where nothing much necessarily happens but we spend so much time with our lead characters that we grow an affinity for them and feel like they are our friends or that we are with them always in every step of the way.

As The second half is gloriously tension filled that let’s your imagination run wild, but that is where his film making strength comes in. As he plays with and teases the audiences expectations. As we know what will come but not when it will happen. So he keeps us on our toes and that is truly when the darkness comes into the film . He delivered vets and still leaves certain things questionable.

The film is Filled with recognizable faces Ib Cameos and smaller roles. So that it’s delight wondering who would show up next while weaving real Life Characters into the tale. It also. Make the film feel like a homecoming or at least more a kind of family affair.

It’s also a joy to to see kids of his famous friends as well as recognizable character actors and being surrounded by what seems like his central crew. so that this feels like A family project.

You can only imagine. What was cut, it seems like this could have been a limited series all It’s own.

As at first it seems like the film will tackle when old Hollywood got slowly pushed out of the way for this new Hollywood. Where as fantasy could easily be sold In Old Hollywood, but once the innocence was broken In their own backyard everyone wanted more truth and reality. As fantasy was a pipe dream they found hard to believe totally when Life could be so random and people became More Jaded as what they were promised seemed to be slipping away.

Margot Robie as Sharon Tate shows a kind of innocence. She is nearly silent throughout. Giving her the aura of haunting the film. Making her seem all the more fragile. A dead woman walking, so to speak as we know her fate. So the film treats her lightly and innocent as a future victim representative of the old Hollywood where she is up and coming but also new Hollywood that will take over and why. As she is slowly becoming a star and living next to Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) as he is barely maintaining and sinking in his career as he seems to become more and more obsolete. Though the film stays with him most of the time as well as his stunt double and one man entourage Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) and treats her as more a guest star. Her death will in a way signal new Hollywood taking over. Being more open and taking more risks when it comes to material. The old ways seen as obsolete, square and too manufactured.

Though all the famous and infamous portrayed are barely dealt with in the film we see them More on the periphery as they move out and about. Where as the fading star and his stunt double long for what Sharon Tate and her husband Roman Polanski are basking in. So the film allows there to be a comparing factor.

As soon as Cliff arrives at the Spahn ranch the film takes a literal turn as the film becomes more darker and dangerous and unsettling. As the ranch has a few males but mostly is inhabited by women who seem like dirty sirens to bring in more men. To join in the cult and do Charles Manson’s bidding. Yet they are scary haunting presences themselves. As they are clearly a bit unhinged.

This film offer Leonardo DiCaprio another dramatic but also majorly comedic role. Here it seems a bit more grounded and serious. As his character is tough and likable but also easily emotional. Even at times a bit over the top. As he is a rich and tough diva to a certain point.

This has been the most likeable and solid Brad Pitt has been in quite a while as you can tell he is comfortable in his role. As his character is basically happy go lucky but might be reaching the end of his rope. As he seems to not be able to prosper in the career he once held and is stuck doing menial work for his friend not that he minds but he also would rather do what he loves and has skills in. He and DiCaprio’s characters are both stoic cowboys who are running out of room on the range. As the old Hollywood is changing and doesn’t need them As much. Though Brad Pitt comes across as the controversial coolest character throughout. At first his performance seems a little shaky but soon he finds his groove and It’d all good.

As always When it comes to his movies Quentin Tarantino chooses an eclectic soundtrack to frame the film with. Music that of course is more time specific but they also help to motivate the scenes and illustrate the characters and scenes. This is more straight rock and pop tunes rather then score which he had been using more of with his last films. So that even the soundtrack for this film takes us back to more his heyday of more oldies but goodies.

Considering he grew up in this era. The film feels like a childhood fantasy come to life. As he finally gets to fulfill and goes at it with all his gusto. He sticks close to some actual cinematic history especially when it comes to the TV-Westerns and the cast and crew.

He has once again Rewritten history to his whims again, but you can see why. As this is his wonderland a time he clearly loves and exists for him as his Shang Ri-La so he rewrote the facts to make it more crowd pleasing and how he wished it would happen. Like in a movie.

The ending might bring about some displeasure from certain groups calling it tasteless or sexist. As his critics and those who dislike his movies will find much to disapprove with but he provides a crowd pleasing ending that is more about fun and entertainment. Giving the audience what it want rather then worrying about offending or being a purist.

Though this film has the slightly disturbing OMG aspect of being a movie easily viewed through the male gaze. That feels a little misogynistic as the females are either evil or angelic and has no problem killing them off brutally. And also seeing them as objects of lust primarily to a degree. Though this film doesn’t shy away from showing them as unwashed and a bit nasty. It still feel like the female characters being out on a pedestal to a degree. Even though obviously a film is to be the vision and what the director feels and knows in his vision and while it’s an easy charge to throw. Quentin Tarantino has made quite a few movies where the females were the heroes and protagonists so there is a general feel that he should know better.

What is admirable is how much different the film is from his others it still has the same style but it just feels different and even if it is definitely his universe and a happier ending then usual. He even has Steve McQueen (played by Damian Lewis) kind of full is in on Sharon Tate’s relationship for the audience who might not know.

What I particularly love about this film is that it feels like a work of passion and creativity. It doesn’t feel by the numbers or phoned in. There aren’t necessarily any gimmicks looking for a certain audience. Nor does anyone seem here just for the paychecks. Everyone seems involved to collaborate, have fun creating and making something. Which at times feels missing from some to a lot of films these days.

The films adds the legend and odyssey that is California. Los Angels to be exact. That it brings to mind a film from earlier this year though set in modern times UNDER THE SILVER LAKE.

As this might be his last or one of his last original films. Before a self imposed retirement. This is a good one to go out on. He will be missed though I am sure he will be around in some capacity. I want to thank him for helping to open my eyes to an appreciation of cinema and not necessarily the Prestiege picture types So much. He has been a constant inspiration and a kind of cinematic hero only he actually exists. As to what I believe is a movie making rock star some aspired to be. As he always made it look so easy yet always so smart and ahead of the curve at times to a degree. Even if occasionally problematic. I came of age cinematically during his era from the beginning.

Grade: A-