Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Ever since I first saw Reservoir Dogs I've been a fan of Quentin Tarantino's work like so many others. He knows how to craft a scene, write engaging dialogue and bring the best performances out of his cast but unfortunately has odd interest in feet which can sometimes be unpleasant to say the least. Nonetheless I've enjoyed all of his films that I've seen so far (Death Proof and a few others are still on my list) and even when his hasn't been at the top of his game, which I'd say where 2015's The Hateful Eight might fall, he knows how to make a three hour running time fly by.

His ninth film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood from 2019, comes in close to three hours and follows Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) a fading Hollywood star and his stunt man, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), in 1969 when the golden age of cinema was beginning disappear while hippie counter-culture was on the rise. The world was changing for them and their relevance in the industry was being reduced to smaller roles but Dalton hopes he can find a way of meeting his famous neighbours, Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie, to reignite his career.

Explaining the story to a Tarantino film can be tricky and this is no exception; the man does not rush this film and instead we're treated to long glimpses into a bygone world that has been lovingly reconstructed while the story gradually unfolds. This really is a passion project for its director who is fascinated with this era which isn't always a good thing in cinema but in the right hands, as it is here, Once Upon a Time is one of the most refreshing, original and engaging mainstream films to have been released in years.

With that said, the film's steady approach does leave moments hanging with the question, 'I'm not sure where this is going?' and so this won't be for everyone. If you're not interested in the era or know little about Hollywood during this time or Sharon Tate then this film will be slow during the middle act. I can't deny I was asking that question too but even with some vague knowledge about what really happened in 1969 that film gradually builds towards and with an interest in cinema, I was hooked and enjoyed almost every moment.

DiCaprio and Pitt are perfectly cast together and their relationship just goes to show what Tarantino can do. There is literally a scene where we watch them casually watching late-night TV together but it is so entertaining. Film scholars will have plenty to go on with this but Once Upon a Time is easily a great film anyone can enjoy if they give it the time. The first two acts are a careful blend of comedy and drama that is a joy to watch, and then there's the third act. Usually this can be the downfall of a film but no, not here by any means.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one hell of a film that is long but one I'd happily watch again and intend to do. I know there'll be loads of fun things I've missed and with Tarantino's choice of soundtrack, it's supremely talented cast, Robert Richardson's ever brilliant visuals and just seeing 1960s LA brought back to life, I can easily recommend this. This could have been the director's final film and it would be a suitable one to end on but if he wants to make one more, I can hardly refuse.