Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood

Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Al Pacino
Directed by Quentin Tarantino

The Story:
In Hollywood in February 1969, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stuntman/best friend Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) are living the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle filled with money, fame, and prestige - until Rick realizes that his career is on the downswing, as he finds himself playing the villain in several television pilots, and never the hero.  He's approached by Hollywood bigwig MArvin Schwarzs (Al Pacino) to go to Italy to make some spaghetti westerns in order to build up his credibility again, and Rick struggles with his decision.

Meanwhile, Cliff is more carefree and enjoying life and his dog, and comes across hippie Pussycat (Margaret Qualley), who invites him to visit her commune, run by Charles Manson (Damon Herriman).  It's also during this time young starlet Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) begins her rise to stardom, thanks in no small part to her relationship with famed director Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha), who lives next door to Dalton.  On one fateful night, the lives of these three individuals intertwine with deadly consequences.

The Synopsis:
Quentin Tarantino is one of today's most unique directors, one that doesn't produce films year after year, but instead bides his time and crafts something truly remarkable, epic, and unforgettable.  As people say "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" is his best work ever, I went back and thought about his previous eight films, and tried to put them in an order (just so you know, I don't think "Hollywood" is his best), but even the film I ranked ninth would still be ranked first if done by another director - meaning none of the films Tarantino has put out has been rubbish, but each one unique, special, and absolutely spellbinding.  I would rank "Hollywood" in the top middle - around 4th - but that's by no means saying it's a bad film, quite the opposite really - it's a beautiful homage to the classic Hollywood of yore, written with love by Tarantino and delivered in the most beautifully wrapped present you could ever find.

The film splits itself into three different stories that manages to unite them all in the end, something Tarantino has done before (such as with "Pulp Fiction"), and serves to really create a whole atmosphere that you wouldn't find otherwise.  This is risky, but Tarantino manages to pull it off so well that you forget how long the movie is and find yourself wholly lost in the moment.  He manages to blend every genre together in a way that comes out a majestic concoction that takes the best of them all.  It's not as violent as his other work, but that also comes with age - you can tell he's carefully taken his time (five years writing, to be exact) to craft the most eloquent ode to classic Hollywood, and focus its attention on one of its most darkest moments.

That dark moment is, obviously, the murder of Sharon Tate and her friends by the Charles Manson cult.  Margot Robbie portrays the young starlet in such an ethereal, angelic way that you don't mind she doesn't have a lot of speaking parts, but you can appreciate the performance she gives with just a smile, a carefree dance, or enjoying her time with her friends.  Robbie envelops the performance as she always does, disappearing inside Sharon Tate so you forget you're seeing her on screen, and it's pure magic how she handles her organic acting ability.

While the film's outer edges delves into this event, the main thrust of the film deals with friends Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth, and the tumultuous future that awaits them.  Dalton used to be a well-known actor, but recently finds himself starring in several television pilots cast as the villain - and everyone knows a villain never lasts past a few episodes.  Booth is Dalton's stunt double, but also his best (and seemingly only) friend, who also chauffeurs Dalton around and offers life advice, as well as works on Dalton's house.  The dynamic between the two is electric, and their banter is truly enjoyable to see.  The contrast between the two men is as fiery as oil and water, with Dalton suffering through the downswing of his career (in often the most humorous ways, such as his meltdown in his trailer after flubbing a line), while Booth floats through life and sees the enjoyment in everything - from feeding his dog the most terrible dog food ever to getting involved with a cult - he does it all with a smile.

The incomparable pairing of Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt is the stuff movie dreams are made of, and both men give their all to their performances.  They're at the top of their games, and the effortless chemistry between the two men is so natural and charming you can't help but enjoy every moment of it.  Their pairing makes you wonder why it took so long for these veterans to appear together, and you can see they bring out the best in one another.

The film also boasts a stellar supporting cast ranging from Tarantino mainstays (Bruce Dern, Michael Madsen, Kurt Russell) to some of today's most talented performers (such as Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, Emilie Hirsh, Damian Lewis, Austin Butler), to of course the illustrious Al Pacino.  Like with DiCaprio, Pitt, and Robbie, these actors put their all in their smaller performances that add to the overall success of the film.

The cinematography is also stunning, capturing what it would feel like living in Hollywood in 1969, thanks to the stellar work of cinematographer Robert Richardson, who uses every tool in his arsenal to make a unique film that propels you back in time.  From the buildings to the cars, the interiors and the fashion, every moment of the film is delivered with quintessential 60s feel, along with the traditional use of 35 mm film that Tarantino is known for.  The music, the radio commercials, and every other audible cue also takes you back, and there's not a moment wasted in this magnum opus.

The Summary:
Offering his own unique story as well as providing a love letter to the town he loves, "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" packs an emotional punch that blends comedy, drama, action, and horror in a way only Tarantino could combine, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt at the top of their respective games.

The Score: A+