Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Rated: R
Once Upon a Time...in 1969, Hollywood prepares for a new era as the light from its Golden Age begins to dim. Movie stars like Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) are fading into obscurity. Rick went from starring in action films to being typecast as a TV cowboy. Has he really become a Hollywood has-been? Rick’s stunt double and best friend, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), can barely find work because of the decline from star status. When Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) move in next door to Rick, he wonders if the next big movie opportunity could come knocking at his door. Can Rick and Cliff find their place in a rapidly changing atmosphere of the new Hollywood era?
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a tribute to the kaleidoscopic entertainment of the 1960s. Every single scene immerses the viewer in the world of the late 60s through precise attention to detail. There are countless movie posters, TV clips, and pop culture references that indicate the era’s inspiration. The TV sets of Lancer, Hullabaloo, The FBI, and The Green Hornet all make appearances here. There’s an inherent sense of nostalgia that runs rampant throughout the film for an era that doesn’t exist anymore.
The stylistic direction of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is brilliant. If you’re a fan of cinema and pop culture, you’ll be impressed. There’s no denying that Quentin Tarantino is a controversial director. Hearing that his next film would involve the Manson cult was concerning, especially when you take into account how he utilizes violence in his films. However, Once Upon a Time shies away from the brutal violence in its first two acts to focus on building the narrative. There is a loose plot structure throughout the film to focus on character development as the audience gets a glimpse into the lives of Rick Dalton, Cliff Booth, and Sharon Tate. The film involves a fictional retelling of historical events. If you’ve seen Inglourious Basterds, you’re familiar with the narrative structure.
This is a deeply character-driven film. Most of the story follows its characters as they work their way through TV and film sets in Hollywood. Celebrities from the era like Mama Cass and Steve McQueen pop up in passing, so keep your eyes peeled! The fictional Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth are the central focus. Rick fights to keep up as a relevant actor, but can only secure guest TV spots. He has a serious drinking problem that certainly doesn’t help his acting, but does what he can to stay afloat. Cliff resorts to becoming Rick’s driver since there isn’t much stunt work to be done in guest TV work. Rick and Cliff aren’t heroic characters by any stretch of the imagination. Cliff is a mysterious war veteran who is prone to violent outbursts, and Rick has no problem throwing around racist remarks and expressing his outright hatred for hippies. They’re unable to change with the times, which is probably why the times won’t make room for them.
Someone who is stepping in the new era is Sharon Tate. Her storyline runs parallel to Rick and Cliff. As Rick fades from the silver screen, Sharon begins her ascent to stardom as she stars in a film called The Wrecking Crew.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is an acting showcase for all of its star-studded cast. There are cameos from Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, Kurt Russell, Luke Perry, and Mike Moh (as a very entertaining Bruce Lee) throughout the film. There's no doubt that this is truly Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt’s movie, though. I can’t believe they’ve never been in a film together because their on-screen friendship is incredible. There’s so much chemistry between the two, and each scene is so wonderfully performed.
Once Upon a Time is Leonardo DiCaprio’s first film in 4 years. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Leo fan, and his return to the silver screen is fantastic. He is dynamic as the insecure Rick Dalton. One moment Rick is on top of the world, and the next, he’s in tears over the potential loss of his career. Rick Dalton is one of DiCaprio’s most comedic performances. The Hullabaloo singing segment and the trailer meltdown are instant standout moments. Yet there are layers beneath the humor. There’s a sense of anxiety that everything will slip away from him at a moment’s notice.
Brad Pitt is fantastic as Cliff Booth. He brings a mysterious and understated enigma to the character that makes the audience want to know so much more about him. In every moment, Pitt exudes effortlessly cool energy that says a little something like, “I’m 55-years-old and look ridiculously good in this yellow Hawaiian shirt. That’s just how it is.” That’s what I got from the character anyway. Cliff’s ability to keep Rick calm when nothing else can is really interesting. These two characters are becoming obsolete in an ever-changing industry, yet they can rely on each other for support. It’s a fascinating dynamic. Both Pitt and DiCaprio should receive awards consideration for their work.
Margot Robbie does not have a ton of screen time, but when she is featured, she plays Sharon Tate with such poise and kindness. Instead of focusing on the awful details of her death, Robbie and the filmmakers showcase how vibrant she was in life. There is a great scene in the film where Sharon goes to see herself in theaters in The Wrecking Crew. It’s a genuinely heartfelt moment as Robbie’s reactions make it feel so honest. (Real footage of Sharon Tate is used in the theater as Margot Robbie watches)
It should be stated that the last act of this film deals directly with the Manson family. I’ve seen reviews and talked to several people after watching the film who are confused because they are unfamiliar with Charles Manson and his cult. If you are going to see this, you need to know who they were and what they did. You also need to know some information about Sharon Tate (at least who she was and that she was an actress). It will help you understand what you’re watching. That being said, there is so much tension in the scenes involving the Manson cult. I was on the edge of my seat as the seconds passed, wondering how the cult would react to each character’s actions. (The scene at the Spahn Ranch and the final 20 minutes are downright suspenseful.) This is a Quentin Tarantino movie, so you should know there is a very violent sequence in the last act of the film. I won’t give spoilers or context but know it is quite gory and wild.
The soundtrack of this film becomes its own character as it inhabits each scene to help tell the story. The characters drive around with their car radios blaring the sounds of the psychedelic ’60s to drown out the problems of their own lives. California Dreamin, Hush by Deep Purple, and Out of Time by the Rolling Stones are three highlights of the soundtrack. However, it is a non-stop flow of great music that you've got to hear. This is a soundtrack that will be on repeat for me for a long time.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a sprawling epic snapshot of California in 1969. Its strong performances, visually stunning cinematography, and exploration of fame make for one of the year’s most memorable cinematic experiences.
My Rating: 9/10
*All images belong to Sony Pictures