Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

Ever since Quentin Tarantino came into being as the writer/director he has become, he has worked with some amazing actors (some more than once) and has given us a plethora of juicy stories and some incredible cutting edge filmmaking. "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood", being his ninth film, he just continues to give us original and fresh stories that we can definitely sink our teeth into.

 

Actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) gained fame and fortune by starring in a 1950s television Western, but is struggling to find meaningful work in a Hollywood that he doesn't recognize anymore. He spends most of his time drinking and palling around with Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his easygoing best friend and longtime stunt double. Rick also happens to live next door to Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha) and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie)--the filmmaker and budding actress whose futures will forever be altered by members of the Manson Family.

This film takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood. This ninth film of Tarantino showcases a huge ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood's golden age.

 

Others to round out the cast are Timothy Olyphant as James Stacy, Dakota Fanning as Squeaky Fromme, Al Pacino as Marvin Schwarzs, Kurt Russell as Randy, Luke Perry as Wayne Maunder, Harley Quinn Smith as Froggie, Austin Butler as Tex, Nicholas Hammond as Sam Wanamaker, Bruce Dern as George Spahn, Margaret Qualley as Pussycat, Emile Hirsh as Jay Sebring, Damian Lewis as Steve McQueen and Mike Moh as Bruce Lee.

 

This was brilliantly directed by Quentin Tarantino ("My Best Friend's Birthday" '87, "Reservoir Dogs" '92, "Pulp Fiction" '94, "Jackie Brown" '97, "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" '03, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" '04, "Sin City" (special guest director) '07, "Death Proof" '07, "Inglourious Basterds" '09, "Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair" '11, "Django Unchained" '12, "The Hateful Eight" '15) plus TV. He effortlessly is able to make the characters in his films simply come alive, this film being of no exception. Of course, the fact that he writes his films surely helps in his directional approach. He certainly hasn't created many films considering the number of decades he's been at this, however he chooses his projects with extreme fastidiousness. He has used some actors more than once: Samuel L. Jackson, Christhoph Waltz and with this Brad Pitt--the other being "Inglourious Basterds". It was also written by Tarantino ("True Romance" '93, "From Dusk Till Dawn" '96, "Grindhouse" (segment "Death Proof") and the films listed above) plus TV and shorts. Of all the writers Hollywood has to offer, Tarantino has got to be one of the most talented, certainly one of the most original and fresh writers in Hollywood, unlike I see in films today. Really, the only questionable aspect of this would be that it was simply a bit too long. Approximately 15-20 minutes could've been edited, otherwise this script was awesome. Also, I thought it would have a little more humor--maybe because of the dry, dark humor, it could've come across as not as funny as I was expecting. It was bizarre, as all Tarantino films are, and with that the plot becomes skewed and quirky, but this is why we love Tarantino. One of the best things about this is that it's not a sequel, prequel, remake, reboot, franchise or continuation--in other words, it's original as with all of his films.

 

In a world where there are more unoriginal, rebaked work out there, it truly is refreshing to have a story that's conveyed to us that is actually an original story not based on anything! Wow! Who would've thought that? Tarantino films aren't for everyone--they're a bit violent, but if you're into fine filmmaking, you'll be in film heaven.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                   Rated: R                                    161mins.