Movie Review: Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Margaret Qualley, Luke Perry

Rating: R

Runtime: 161 minutes

I was born in 1985. Like some, I have an affinity for old Hollywood. The politics, the glamor, the beauty, the romance, it was all something I wish I could go back to and live in if even just on the fringe. Imagine having that love, and discovering early on a director who also feels the same and even lived through some of it. That same someone is making movies in that beloved style. Needless to say, Quentin Tarantino has become the director that I keep my eye on more than any other. He doesn’t offer just film; he provides experiences, so let’s take a deep dive into his latest picture.

Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood is the ninth movie from Tarantino and quite possibly the next to last film we see from him. Taking us back to the post-Golden Age of cinema in 1969, we meet an actor, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and his stuntman, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Rick has seen his success in Hollywood, and his star is now on the decline. Cliff manages always to be upbeat and live the life he has. It is a simple life and one that is within arms reach of the fame, but far enough that he doesn’t have to get caught up in the drama of 60s La La Land. The story is almost just that simplistic, but Rick lives next door to Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), and we also have some historical dealings at Spahn Ranch. Here is where I will throw in my disclaimer: Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood uses real people that existed during this time mixed in with fictional characters like Rick and Cliff. If you are not aware of what actually happened on the night of August 9th, 1969 then it would behoove you to look it up since it was something that Tinseltown never forgot. With that knowledge, the ending to Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood is terrific.

With a runtime of 161 minutes, some will feel the boredom set in, and that is not who this film is made for. I am an avid Tarantino fan, but there are some scenes that I didn’t love, namely the opening scene with DiCaprio and Pacino. I understand why it was there, but I feel like other methods could have been used. Most of the movie would be considered a slow burn, but there are those great Tarantino moments thrown in and humor that only he can do. There is a notable scene with Bruce Lee and Cliff that is great. Cliff’s visit to Spahn Ranch was a great scene where Tarantino ratchets the tension. There is a large part of this film where Rick is filming a scene on Lancer, the very real TV show from the 60s. This was a great section where DiCaprio has to put forth an excellent acting performance as an actor playing an actor, and he brings the talent to the table every sense of the word. It is these scenes and others like it that keep us coming back to film by this writer and director.

Tarantino pens these scripts very carefully and casts and directs them with the same delicacy. The way the camera moves and the edits are all intentional and part of the charm. As I sat in the theater, so many thoughts ran through my head about how I would review this movie and at the end, when the closing credits roll you can’t help but be satisfied with the result. It helps that this movie ends with a bang and the third act is so hilarious and over the top that you almost forget what happened that fateful night.

Hollywood used to be about the magic and the stars. It has changed these days and none of it for the better. It is nice to be transported back to the time that film lovers still talk about. No director has more right to take us there than Quentin Tarantino. Like all of his previous films, I am ready to go back and do a few rewatches of this one. It is less accessible than his other pictures, but he is still making an experience found nowhere else. Maybe it is magic.

Click here for more movie reviews