Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) 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.
Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino's ninth film. While it contains his usual wide shots, long takes, and extensive dialogue sessions, Once, is a very different kettle of fish to what the casual moviegoer may expect. Almost coming across like an observational exercise, Once does not have any apparent strong narrative direction during the viewing. As such, the lack of direction in the long takes of extensive dialogue throughout the two-hour and 45-minute film can admittedly make the film feel slow and ungainly. This isn't to say that the film is horrible and should be avoided, but simply put, the pacing is an area that will negatively affect one's impression of the film if they are expecting something closer to the likes of Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, or Pulp Fiction.
It may be quite difficult to determine the premise of the film from the trailer, but even two hours into the film, the direction is still ambiguous. Tarantino is brilliantly mysterious when it comes to the details in his screenplays. Inserting character interactions here and there in what seems like an arbitrary manner; there are many scenes that feel out-of-place as if a scene or shot was missing from the final product, and yet at the film's conclusion, you couldn't name a single detail that didn't lead to something (don't get me started on the number of references, cameos, and callbacks in the film either). The only real issue with it is the timing of it all, with a very long time between the set-up of components, and the payoff.
The film focuses on our main two protagonists Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth, and their longtime friendship (one of the main themes in the film). While Once revolves around the floundering career of Dalton (portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio), it is without a doubt that Brad Pitt's Booth is the heart and soul of the film. His character has a backstory that provides a point-of-difference that lends itself to more engrossing side stories. Booth has the intrigue and competency that grips the audience, his cavalier attitude and irresponsibility leading to many of the films best comedic moments. And Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood is a comedy. It is the one aspect that allows a film that "progresses" so slowly to keep the audiences bums in their seat.
While Brad Pitt brings comedy and a sense of comfort with his character Booth, the character is perfectly opposed by the emotional and uncertain nature of DiCaprio's Dalton. The absolute seriousness of Dalton balances the carefree attitude of Booth and creates its own form of comedy with a strong emotional subtext.
Make-up is truly magical, and Margot Robbie is almost unrecognisable as Sharon Tate. She is an absolute pleasure to watch driving around the streets of Hollywood, yet her presence in the film is weakly developed, and near enough independent of the main story, which calls into question whether she was truly needed in the film. It plays a part in the context of the climax, but that isn't really needed for the third act to hold water. And the third act is superb. Right when you think the film is done, the web of characters get drawn in, falling into place, setting up what I would refer to as the "Classic Tarantino" style of filmmaking with the sudden change in tone. To that extent, the film ends on a high note.
Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood is the story of a great friendship between an actor and his stuntman (supposedly influenced by the real-life relationship between Burt Reynolds and his stuntman Hal Needham). A slow-burning comedy that creates a gorgeous vignette of Hollywood, that despite all of its intricate details, will likely fail to garner mainstream appeal. Ideal for Tarantino fans, but the lack of narrative direction and goals will provide little reason to stay invested.
Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood is in cinemas from August 15th, 2019
Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood is in cinemas from August 15th, 2019