Once upon a Time in Hollywood [DVD]

My rating is more of a 4.5.Thanks for reading!“𝑰'𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰'𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍'𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌""𝑵𝒂𝒉, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film follows a fading character actor (Rick) and his stunt double (Cliff) as they navigate the rapidly changing film industry, with the looming threat of the Tate-LaBianca Murders hanging overhead.if there's any technique Tarantino has down to a science it is that of the fragmented narrative. Broken – but far from brittle - ‘Once Upon a Time…’ successfully forces two separate storylines to converge into one; consequently this expunges the need for what would otherwise be exhaustive exposition. This is especially true when what is considered common knowledge about Sharon Tate's life - or more specifically, her death - and speaks to the desire to tell a fully developed story using only the bare essentials or necessities.Taking place towards the end of the sixties ‘OUAT…’ stays dutifully committed to its intended aesthetic. The entirety of what is heard in the background or periodically Incorporated as casually announced news-bulletins - like those about the murder of Senator Robert F. Kenedy - are rooted in fact and contextually allude to historically significant events. Drawing from the wealth of influences available, Rick Dalton is a caricature of Steve McQueen ( who, unlike Dalton, made a more successful and comfortable transition from television to films), Edd Byrnes, Ty Hardin, and Pete Duel. Despite some initial difficulties in regards to convincing the surrounding Hollywood vendors to authorize the fitting of their premises with period facades to better represent the 1960s this obstacle was eventually surmounted (with some of these veneers staying in place long after production concluded).(Fun fact: Quentin Tarantino would not allow the use of cell phones on set while filming in lieu of phone booths being installed in the case that calls needed to be made by crew members. Talk about some devilish devotion!)With its paralleled narrative and authentic set design assuming the role of ‘OUAT…’s bread, this sandwich of satisfaction doesn't skimp in ensuring that the filling that is its characters is just as delicious and savory in tandem.They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks - and lucky for the audience sometimes you don’t have to. Possibly one of my favorite performances by DiCaprio to date, his demeanor (and excellently executed accent!) capture the essence of a character that both reaps the benefits of his fame while struggling with the lingering impermanence of it. As if designed to be a direct foil to this conundrum Cliff - portrayed by the one and only Brad Pitt (who does his stunts - surprise!) - embraces the fluidity his role invites and rolls with the punches (literally) as it is necessary As a consequence of this their relationship on screen becomes self-referential in that Cliff often does all of the dangerous fighting while Rick is rewarded with a flashy climax and what is assumingly will be all of the credit for a “job well done”. On the topic of dogs: a three-year-old Pitbull by the name of Sayuri was honored with the Palm Dog Award following her equally committed and sometimes scene stealing performance as ‘Brandy’ (more than deserved, if I do say so myself).Only accounting for approximately 20 minutes of screen time, Margot Robbie's portrayal of Shannon Tate is reflective of the amount of research done in preparation for it. Adorned with an abundance of grace, poise, and some of Tate's real jewelry, the accuracy of her performance reportedly moved some of Tate’s surviving family members to tears. It is a shame this same effort wasn't put into the portrayal of Bruce Lee - who, arguably, could have been written in as someone with less notoriety attached - but this is comfortably written off as a result of an interaction being perceived by audience members as the way in Cliff seems to 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 it.Setting the audience up with tension from the very start ( as might be conjured following the recollection of Tate’s untimely untimely demise) ‘OUAT…’ comes to a screeching halt following a climatic and violently stylized surprise. It goes without saying that this conclusion is as far as possible from being rooted in truth, but the irony is in how this ending is a significantly happier one.Described as a ‘love letter to Hollywood’, in many ways ‘OUAT…’ simultaneously acts as Tarantino’s sacrificial lamb; it ascends as a forgivably transgressional and sensational depiction of the relationship that directors and actors have with a craft that resembles, replicates, and manufactures reality as it is seen fit.I would recommend!

Once Upon a Time presents a dazzling slice of Hollywood life in 1969.Director-Producer Quentin Tarantino's attention to the minute details of that period is beyond amazing. He gets it perfectly correct from the late-1960s clothing fashions to the cars to the billboards and everything else. The viewer feels as if he or she has been transported back in time.Once Upon a Time is an absolute jewel for those who are fans of Hollywood lore. The actors' dialogue is seasoned with many references to key events, personages, and fads of 1969. Those references are probably lost on most viewers who didn't grow up during the 60s, but I did, and I found it fun to search my memory to recall what those references meant, which add a subtle depth to the movie's story.The movie is intricate, but it doesn't have an intricate plot. It is a story of the everyday occurrences of the Hollywood elite. That is, a glimpse of their daily lives. But the movie's brilliance is how those occurrences cross paths and lead to a fateful outcome.I feel that most of Brad Pitt's performances are overrated. But in Once Upon a Time, Pitt shines like the Northern Star. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is outstanding too. Al Pacino and Kurt Russell also shine in their cameo roles.Once Upon a Time is not a conventional movie. Initially, it seems a little disjointed and hard to understand. But that is just Tarantino's way of spinning a spider's web that captures the viewer.Once Upon a Time is a very entertaining movie that is well worth your time to watch.

Yet another entry in the series of Tarantino revisionist history films, this one isn't quite as good as Inglourious Basterds or Django Unchained IMO, but it is entertaining and intriguing enough to be well worth the watch. The performances from DiCaprio and Pitt are great, the dialogue is - per usual - sharp and memorable, and the story is twisty and fascinating. Must watch for Tarantino enthusiasts.