Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ tore up the box office during it’s first weekend, and for good reason.
Tarantino’s latest film pays homage to the rapidly changing landscape of Hollywood in 1969, where TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his long-time stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) are dealing with being fazed out of a Hollywood that, at one time, adored them.
The cinematography alone is brilliant, but the chemistry between both Pitt and DiCaprio is something truly memorable, as their characters fluidly weave from humor, to drama, and back again almost effortlessly.
While some have panned the movie for the glutton of nostalgia, which I had no issue with because it’s set in a specific time, and maybe their portrayal of Bruce Lee (Lee’s daughter has taken issue with the film), I found little to no warts associated with the movie.
Keeping within the context of the time, and understanding that everything was different, in every way, back then, it’s easy to connect with the characters, regardless if they make you love or hate them.
‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ is simply a beautiful period piece, with impressive dialogue that keeps you engaged when the conversations are otherwise meaningless in the totality of the film.
Margot Robbie shines as Sharon Tate, so much so that Tate’s sister Debra, who has panned performances from others in the past (such as Hillary Duff), cried watching Robbie play her sister.
What makes Tarantino’s film so good, aside from all the meat and potatoes that make it up, is how, despite history, he gives the audience a bit of the karma that we wish saw play out in real life (sorry, won’t spoil that).
Plus, it’s good to see a pitbull play a hero role, despite the unfair reputation that has been create for them.
All in all, this will easily go down as one of Tarantino’s very best, and should garner award consideration for Pitt and DiCaprio, and rightfully so.
