Once upon a Time in Hollywood [DVD]

My rating is more of a 4.5.Thanks for reading!“𝑰'𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰'𝒎 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒍'𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌""𝑵𝒂𝒉, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film follows a fading character actor (Rick) and his stunt double (Cliff) as they navigate the rapidly changing film industry, with the looming threat of the Tate-LaBianca Murders hanging overhead.if there's any technique Tarantino has down to a science it is that of the fragmented narrative. Broken – but far from brittle - ‘Once Upon a Time…’ successfully forces two separate storylines to converge into one; consequently this expunges the need for what would otherwise be exhaustive exposition. This is especially true when what is considered common knowledge about Sharon Tate's life - or more specifically, her death - and speaks to the desire to tell a fully developed story using only the bare essentials or necessities.Taking place towards the end of the sixties ‘OUAT…’ stays dutifully committed to its intended aesthetic. The entirety of what is heard in the background or periodically Incorporated as casually announced news-bulletins - like those about the murder of Senator Robert F. Kenedy - are rooted in fact and contextually allude to historically significant events. Drawing from the wealth of influences available, Rick Dalton is a caricature of Steve McQueen ( who, unlike Dalton, made a more successful and comfortable transition from television to films), Edd Byrnes, Ty Hardin, and Pete Duel. Despite some initial difficulties in regards to convincing the surrounding Hollywood vendors to authorize the fitting of their premises with period facades to better represent the 1960s this obstacle was eventually surmounted (with some of these veneers staying in place long after production concluded).(Fun fact: Quentin Tarantino would not allow the use of cell phones on set while filming in lieu of phone booths being installed in the case that calls needed to be made by crew members. Talk about some devilish devotion!)With its paralleled narrative and authentic set design assuming the role of ‘OUAT…’s bread, this sandwich of satisfaction doesn't skimp in ensuring that the filling that is its characters is just as delicious and savory in tandem.They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks - and lucky for the audience sometimes you don’t have to. Possibly one of my favorite performances by DiCaprio to date, his demeanor (and excellently executed accent!) capture the essence of a character that both reaps the benefits of his fame while struggling with the lingering impermanence of it. As if designed to be a direct foil to this conundrum Cliff - portrayed by the one and only Brad Pitt (who does his stunts - surprise!) - embraces the fluidity his role invites and rolls with the punches (literally) as it is necessary As a consequence of this their relationship on screen becomes self-referential in that Cliff often does all of the dangerous fighting while Rick is rewarded with a flashy climax and what is assumingly will be all of the credit for a “job well done”. On the topic of dogs: a three-year-old Pitbull by the name of Sayuri was honored with the Palm Dog Award following her equally committed and sometimes scene stealing performance as ‘Brandy’ (more than deserved, if I do say so myself).Only accounting for approximately 20 minutes of screen time, Margot Robbie's portrayal of Shannon Tate is reflective of the amount of research done in preparation for it. Adorned with an abundance of grace, poise, and some of Tate's real jewelry, the accuracy of her performance reportedly moved some of Tate’s surviving family members to tears. It is a shame this same effort wasn't put into the portrayal of Bruce Lee - who, arguably, could have been written in as someone with less notoriety attached - but this is comfortably written off as a result of an interaction being perceived by audience members as the way in Cliff seems to 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 it.Setting the audience up with tension from the very start ( as might be conjured following the recollection of Tate’s untimely untimely demise) ‘OUAT…’ comes to a screeching halt following a climatic and violently stylized surprise. It goes without saying that this conclusion is as far as possible from being rooted in truth, but the irony is in how this ending is a significantly happier one.Described as a ‘love letter to Hollywood’, in many ways ‘OUAT…’ simultaneously acts as Tarantino’s sacrificial lamb; it ascends as a forgivably transgressional and sensational depiction of the relationship that directors and actors have with a craft that resembles, replicates, and manufactures reality as it is seen fit.I would recommend!

entertaining movie, glad I bought it

Movie has some great acting but the story line is drawn out and lacks purpose

Groovy movie. Having some basic knowledge of Charles Manson and his "family" assists with understanding the basis for this movie. Such a shame that this "alternate reality" was not how those events actually occurred. The fate of Tex Watson in this extremely fiction account of past horrors is a reward well deserved.I enjoyed the "blasts from the past" where old cars and retail outlets shown in their past visages assisted with reliving times long gone. This movie is a keeper to be set aside and join the rotation of films seen, then brought out to be viewed again occasionally.

Good movie

Not a movie that I would remember. Not a movie I would want to see again. What was the point of the movie? Was it a character study? Or was it just a showcase for two macho men in a buddy movie. I didn't get it. Kept waiting for something to happen and it did at the end with the Manson murders, but even that was a mini-horror segment. Leonardo did his best and I always enjoy watching him, but Brad Pitt's character was so laid back and boring it could have been played by ANY actor.

My son insisted that I needed to see this and I'm glad he did. I understood the unstated message and he didn't, so it was fun to explain it to him. Definitely a good movie.

I love love love this movie!