Review: Once upon a time in Hollywood

When you think of a film written and directed by the controversial and unique storyteller Quentin Tarantino, several givens come to mind. 

First, you either get him or you don’t. If, Gentle Reader, you don’t, may I suggest stopping here? 

There will be a boogie-inducing, retro-vibe to the soundtrack that almost acts as its own character in the movie. Check. 

There will be A-list stars from the present and even obscure “has-beens” plucked from the bygone era in Hollywood that may find their current day street cred go up in value by appearing in a Tarantino film (John Travolta can attribute his Hollywood comeback to Pulp Fiction, for example.) Check. With more than 200 actor appearances, ranging from Lena Dunham to the late Luke Perry, there’s plenty of celeb candy in this film to keep us on our toes.  

The third trademark of a Tarantino flick is the snappy dialogue. Case in point: Mike Moh’s Bruce Lee says, “My hands are registered as lethal weapons. We get into a fight, I accidentally kill you...I go to jail.” To which Brad Pitt’s character responds, “Anybody accidentally kills anybody in a fight, they go to jail. It’s called manslaughter.” Check. And touché. 

Note: There are many great scenes including Bruce Lee (a spot-on performance by Mike Moh) and other famous legends of the day.

Since Tarantino has written his own playbook when it comes to film-making, there will inevitably be scenes out of sequence or scenes that just don’t seem to make sense. If you are a fan, though, you see his genius in putting his mark on a film and the twist on his stories are uniquely his. 

And there will be blood. Violent, sometimes gratuitous and cringey violence for the sake of being violent. Let’s just say after this movie you will never look at a flame thrower the same way again. 

So, OUATIH checks all the boxes of past Tarantino films — and this ninth offering doesn’t disappoint. 

“Since Tarantino has written his own playbook when it comes to film-making, there will inevitably be scenes out of sequence or scenes that just don’t seem to make sense. If you are a fan, though, you see his genius in putting his mark on a film and the twist on his stories are uniquely his. ”

The plot

The story is about a former Western star (a fictional character loosely based on Burt Reynolds) and his stuntman/best friend as they navigate the new age of Hollywood against the backdrop of the Manson “Family” murders in 1969. 

The film introduces us to fictional Western Bounty Law featuring action star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) followed by a cheeky interview with Rick and his stuntman, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), describing Cliff’s job as carrying Rick's load. Rick’s roles have been downgraded of late to cheap interstitials and guest appearance spots. And he has to rely on Cliff driving him around because he lost his driver’s license thanks to booze. 

We enjoy the view from the back seat of Rick’s 1966 Cadillac DeVille with songs from bands like Vanilla Fudge and Deep Purple blaring from the speakers, with our stars’ hair blowing in the wind. 

One time when Cliff drives Rick home, they find Rick's new neighbors, director Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha) and his wife, the up and coming “It Girl,” Sharon Tate (an effervescent and playful Margot Robbie.) Rick is elated to find out that Polanski lives next door and starts imagining ways it can help restart his stalled career. 

When Rick and Cliff return from Rome after filming a spaghetti western, we find Rick now married and struggling to pay Cliff. They spend one last night together because, “when you come to the end of the line with a buddy who is more than a brother, and a little less than a wife, getting blind drunk together is really the only way to say farewell”.

Meanwhile, Sharon Tate, now very pregnant, is having a small gathering with Jay, and their friends Wojciech Frykowski (Costa Ronin) and Abigail Folger (Samantha Robinson). It’s at this time we see a cluster of the Manson Family pull up the drive toward the Hollywood Hills homes and the violent climax to Tarantino’s movie can commence.

The ending

The ending is not what you would expect. Sure, there’s Tarantino violence that the audience has been preparing for the entire movie, especially when we see Charles Manson and the hippies edge their way into scenes of the film. Our anxiety builds up to fever pitch as we watch the “Family” members walk up the hill with their knives in hand but typical Tarantino flips history on its side and gives our story a twist. If you expect the unexpected, then the justified ending that Tarantino presents us is an alternate reality, a world a little less unhinged, a little more righted.

At almost three hours the film could have benefitted from a bit more editing, although it’s possible it could be extended and repackaged as a miniseries a la The Hateful Eight. 

Oh, and don’t leave before the credits finish because there are a few more treats for viewers to keep us immersed in Tarantino’s vintage Hollywood. Because the littlest details are what he does best, sometimes at the expense of a cohesive larger picture but still, enjoy the ride into the sunset from your place in Brad & Leo’s backseat, soundtrack blaring, hair blowing. Check! 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is scheduled to re-released with additional scenes added back by the director. Watch for it on digital on November 26 and DVD on December 10.