Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
Movie 🎥 Review: “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood”. Critics gave it a 85% the users an 73%. Rated: R with a running time of 2 hrs and 41 mins with an IMDb of 8.4/10. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, co-starring Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant, Julia Butters, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern, Mike Moh, Luke Perry, Damian Lewis, and Al Pacino.
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 a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Produced by Columbia Pictures, Bona Film Group, Heyday Films, and Visiona Romantica and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it is an international co-production between the United States and the United Kingdom.
First announced in July 2017, the film is the first of Tarantino's not to be associated with producer Harvey Weinstein, after Tarantino cut ties with The Weinstein Company following sexual abuse allegations against Weinstein that October. Sony Pictures won the distribution rights, having met several of Tarantino's demands including final cut privilege. Pitt, DiCaprio, and Robbie, as well as several Tarantino regulars such as Zoë Bell and Kurt Russell, joined the cast between January and June 2018. Principal photography lasted from that June through November around Los Angeles. It is the last film to feature Luke Perry, who died in March 2019.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2019, was theatrically released in the United States on July 26, 2019, and is scheduled to be released on August 14, 2019 in the United Kingdom. The Hollywood Reporter wrote that critics had "an overall positive view" of the film, who called the film "Tarantino's love letter to '60s L.A.'" and praised its casting choices and setting, though some were "divided on its ending."
So if you are expecting to see the usual Tarantino film you are in for a surprise. I will say one of the best endings I've seen in a while for his movies.
I enjoyed the true-grit nature of Brad Pitt's character (and his dog). Kudos to the rest of the cast, including DiCaprio, who flexed his considerable acting talent, and also to the young lady (Julia Butters) who played an eight-year-old actress on one of the sets. The music, costumes, makeup, sets, and locations totally nailed the era.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is the homage of all homages. Critics are calling this Tarantino's "love letter to Hollywood", but in reality it's much, much more. This letter addresses a Hollywood that's no longer recognizable, and that melancholy is found in throughout this film. While there is violence, witty banter, and unpredictable outcomes, this is probably the most mature and intelligent Quentin Tarantino film yet. It also deviates from the Tarantino template by remaining somewhat linear. With a runtime of just over two hours and forty minutes, the pacing may bother some of you while you are forced to take in the authentic and painstakingly detailed scenery.
The performances are flawless. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt will deservedly receive accolades for their performances as the main characters, but honestly there is not a single weak performance among the ensemble. And lastly, the subject matter: I have to admit I was somewhat apprehensive about how the events of August 8, 1969 would be handled. While no one would be surprised to see these heinous acts glorified or even caricatured, Tarantino continues to be unpredictable. I'll just say this is handled tastefully and even respectfully, yet true to the classic Tarantino flair.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood demonstrates a more mellowed Quentin Tarantino touch but it's far from a departure. I suspect audiences that normally can't stomach the assaulting violence and shock of the Tarantino brand may very well enjoy this film.