Director and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino has always been passionate about film. Prior to his filmmaking career, he worked at Video Archives, a video store located in Manhattan Beach, California. In 1984, he embarked on his first directorial project, initially conceived as a feature film titled My Best Friend’s Birthday. Unfortunately, a fire at the lab destroyed much of the footage, leaving only 36 minutes of the original 70 minutes intact. This surviving footage is available on Youtube, revealing nascent traits that would later define Tarantino’s signature style, such as his distinctive dialogue scenes. Undeterred by the setback with his first film, Tarantino continued working at the video store while pursuing larger ambitions. He dedicated himself to writing scripts, and the early 90s marked a turning point in his career.
The script for True Romance, a revision of My Best Friend’s Birthday, was sold for $50,000 and subsequently adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Tony Scott (1944-2012). The Natural Born Killers script was sold for $10,000 and became a visually arresting, albeit controversial, film directed by Oliver Stone. Tarantino has expressed dissatisfaction with the latter, primarily due to significant alterations to the original ending. Nonetheless, these sales elevated Tarantino’s profile, and concurrently, he pursued his own project, initially intended to be filmed in black and white with his friends. This project, Reservoir Dogs, unexpectedly landed in the hands of actor Harvey Keitel, altering the course of cinematic history.
Following Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino delivered the modern classic Pulp Fiction (1994). This film not only revitalized John Travolta’s career but also solidified its place as one of the most celebrated films ever made. From the screenplay to the performances and direction, Pulp Fiction is widely considered a masterpiece. His subsequent film, Jackie Brown, while initially less favored, proved more compelling upon a recent rewatch. Kill Bill was originally envisioned as a single, lengthy film; however, the studio opted to divide it into two parts for commercial reasons. Having collaborated previously on From Dusk till Dawn, director Robert Rodriguez (Alita: Battle Angel) and Quentin Tarantino reunited for Grindhouse. Rodriguez’s contribution, Planet Terror, is generally considered the stronger of the two, while Tarantino’s Death Proof is often regarded as his weakest effort.
Another standout in Tarantino’s filmography is Inglourious Basterds, which propelled actor Christoph Waltz to international fame. Tarantino followed this with Django Unchained, a film considered by some to be slightly less impactful but nonetheless highly accomplished. Following that, his project The Hateful Eight faced uncertainty after the script was leaked online. After a period of limbo, the film was eventually released in 2015. While some consider it one of his lesser works, others find it to be a captivating and suspenseful film, despite its length and relatively confined setting.
This brings us to the present review, focused on Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. The production of this film was marked by a significant shift. Following the exposure of Harvey Weinstein’s misconduct in connection with the #metoo movement, Tarantino severed ties with the producer who, along with his brother Bob, had produced all of his films up to that point. With his newfound independence, Tarantino was able to entertain offers from various studios, ultimately choosing Sony, who offered a deal that included a 100 million dollar budget and final cut privileges. With unprecedented creative control, Quentin Tarantino embarked on filming his Hollywood-centric narrative.
Actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) navigate the Hollywood landscape. Rick’s career has stalled since the cancellation of his TV series Bounty Law eight years prior, while Cliff serves as his driver and general assistant. Their neighbor is the acclaimed director Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha) and his wife, actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). One day, an unsettling individual inquires about a former resident of their house. The year is 1969, a turning point that marks the end of an era of innocence.
The announcement of this film raised questions about Tarantino’s approach to the tragic murder of Sharon Tate (1943-1969) and her friends. The premise seemed potentially insensitive, especially given Tate’s prominent role in the film (played by Margot Robbie with remarkable nuance). Consequently, I approached the film with trepidation, wondering how Tarantino would handle the delicate subject matter. I can confidently say that my initial concerns were unfounded, as Tarantino addresses the narrative with remarkable skill. I will refrain from revealing specific plot details, but I can assure you that the outcome is compelling and satisfying.
Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio demonstrate exceptional chemistry in their respective roles, reminiscent of classic pairings such as Paul Newman and Burt Lancaster. While Pitt’s performance in Inglourious Basterds was not particularly memorable, his portrayal of Cliff Booth is impeccable, embodying the quintessential cool and resilient character. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his finest performances as Rick Dalton, capturing the character’s insecurities and vulnerabilities with remarkable depth and sensitivity, eliciting empathy despite his flaws. A pivotal scene features a young girl praising Dalton’s acting, and DiCaprio’s reaction is a moment of pure cinematic brilliance. Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Sharon Tate, while not extensive, evokes a sense of her presence throughout the film, heightening the sense of impending tragedy.
The film features a wealth of supporting performances, including Kurt Russell as the stunt coordinator, Nicholas Hammond (the Spider-Man from the 70s!) as a director, and Luke Perry (1966-2019) in his final role. Memorable contributions also come from Al Pacino and Bruce Dern, with Dern portraying the owner of the ranch where Charles Manson and his followers resided prior to the murders. This role was originally intended for Burt Reynolds (1936-2018), who sadly passed away before filming commenced. Margaret Qualley delivers a strong performance as one of the hippie girls, Pussy Cat, while Lena Dunham (Girls) makes a brief appearance, and Dakota Fanning is chilling as Squeaky. Harley, director Kevin Smith’s daughter, also appears as one of the girls. Finally, Austin Butler provides a compelling portrayal of Tex, one of Tate’s murderers, capturing the character’s malevolence.
Experiencing Once Upon A Time In Hollywood in 4K resolution with HDR enhances the visual experience, surpassing even the theatrical presentation. The colors and depth are exceptional, creating a truly immersive experience. Photographer Robert Richardson masterfully captures the essence of 1969’s Hollywood, imbuing it with a sense of magic. The actors have never looked better, and the film evokes a palpable sense of summer heat. The 7.1 DTS-HD audio track is adequate, although an Atmos track would have provided a more immersive soundscape. While the film is not effects-heavy, an Atmos track could have added greater dimension and spatial clarity to the audio.
The disc includes a selection of deleted scenes, primarily consisting of extended and additional footage from the “films within the film” and various commercials. These inclusions highlight Tarantino’s passion for this project, allowing him to fully immerse himself in his favorite era of Hollywood.
Given the positive assessment, one might assume the film is without flaws. However, due to Tarantino’s final cut privileges, the film includes certain elements that could have benefited from streamlining. The extended sequences within Rick Dalton’s films, and a scene featuring the characters providing commentary on an episode of FBI, disrupt the narrative flow. Similarly, a two-minute sequence depicting Cliff Booth’s drive home feels protracted. While these elements are stylish and interesting, they ultimately detract from the overall narrative momentum.
In conclusion, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood earns a resounding recommendation as a unique and loving tribute to the film industry. For aspiring actors and film enthusiasts alike, this nearly three-hour experience is unparalleled in its entertainment value. While certain aspects may be somewhat protracted, the overall experience is highly rewarding. Given the film’s compelling characters, it is a shame that Tarantino does not typically create sequels, as a continuation of Rick and Cliff’s story would be welcome. However, rumors persist regarding Kill Bill 3 and Tarantino’s potential Star Trek film, leaving open the possibility of future projects from one of cinema’s most distinctive voices.
