
ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradd Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley,
Timothy Olyphant, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern and Al Pacino
Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Reviewed by Patrick Gibbs
Reviewed by Patrick Gibbs

The story follows actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), the former star of the 1950s western television series Bounty Law, who finds his career faltering now that the series has ended. Rick laments to Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his best friend and stunt double, that his career is over. Cliff, a war veteran who lives in a derelict trailer next to a drive-in theater in Van Nuys with his pit bull, Brandy, attempts to bolster Rick's self-confidence. Meanwhile, actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and her husband Roman Polanski have just moved into the home next door to Rick's.
While some may find the movie slow to get going, Robert Richardson's gorgeous cinematography and the performances of DiCaprio and Pitt had me hooked from the first frame. This is a terrific return to form for Tarantino after the hit and miss Django Unchained and the bloated and boring The Hateful Eight. While the film deals heavily with the angst and disappointment of middle age, it also has a sense of joy a wonder as Tarantino lovingly weaves a tapestry the captures the end of an era, and the leisurely pace of the film mirrors the cool, confident pace of Cliff diving Rick (and the rest of us) through Los Angeles in his convertible, and it's strangely mesmerising.
![]() | |
|
DiCaprio is one of the finest and most dedicated actors working in film today, and Rick Dalton ranks up there with his very best work, as Rick's passions, insecurities, ego and alcoholism make for a life and career that is a roller coaster, filled with extreme ups and downs. Pitt is almost as good, giving Cliff a smooth swagger that seems like a perfect melding of Aldo Raine from Inglorious Basterds and Rusty from Ocean's Eleven. The supporting cast, which includes such greats as Al Pacino and Kurt Russell, are pure perfection, but the film is nearly stolen by two enchanting women: Margot Robbie and Julia Butters.
Butters portrays Trudi, a, 8-year old actor (not an actress, as she rejects the term) who not only shares not only a scene with Rick, but shares a surprising wisdom and dedication to the craft that inspires him. It's a performance that is going to be talked about a lot, especially as we get closer to awards season, and Butters may be the next Dakota Fanning (who ironically appears in this film herself). Robbie's portrayal of Sharon Tate is enchanting, and for all the talk about whether or not she had too little dialogue, it's her face that matters. it's easy to dismiss Robbie as a pretty face and a perfect body, but if the eyes are truly the window to the soul, she has an ability to put her character's souls right up there on screen in a way that is almost startling, and that is why Sharon Tate is so easy to fall in love with as vibrant, real person.
![]() |
Images Courtesy Columbia Pictures |
![]() |
Images Courtesy Columbia Pictures |
On the whole, Once Upon A Time . . . In Hollywood is easily one of the most involving and entertaining films of the summer, and one of the director's very best cinematic achievements. But there are lingering questions and misgivings that are hard to shake.
The Bearded Trio - The Site For Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams and a whole lot more.
Comments
Post a Comment
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment, don't be shy.