Movie Review
Introduction
Quentin Tarantino’s directed “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” is a fantastic film underscored by the ten nominations it received during the 92nd Academy Awards. As such, this film cements Quentin Tarantino as one of the greatest ever director in Hollywood. This film premieres on May 21, 2019, at the Cannes Film Festival. The immense acting talents of Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Margot Robbie carefully bring to light the greatness of this film. The careful blend of fictional characters such as Rick Dalton and historical characters such as Bruce Lee curates the historical accuracy of Hollywood’s history. Heyday Films, Columbia Pictures, Visiona Romantica, and Bona Film Group co-produce this film. Also, Sony Pictures Releasing distributes this film. This movie is great because it provides a clear view of the golden era in Hollywood that significantly used continuity editing.
Summary
Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a famous and rich actor who stars in the 1950s film Western. In the 1960s, Dalton fears that his fame in Hollywood is waning as he also fails to gain any worthwhile film work in a Hollywood that seems foreign to him. Dalton befriends Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), who is a stunt double. Booth is also a World War II green beret veteran. Dalton and Booth spend most of their time drinking and having fun. Also, Dalton is a neighbor of the renowned couple, Roman Polanski (Rafal Zawierucha) and the late Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). Polanski is a filmmaker while Tate is a promising actress in Hollywood. In 1969 Los Angeles, Dalton and Booth set forth to reignite their careers by befriending the couple of Polanski and Tate. However, Dalton and Booth entangle themselves with the Manson family. The four characters collide with the Manson family to cause a dynamic change in Hollywood.
Response and Analysis
This film is a great movie because it carefully depicts an actual account of the 1969 Hollywood where both Dalton and Booth have dwindling careers. Tarantino nicely blends fictional and real characters to portray Hollywood’s golden age. This film significantly sidelines Sharon Tate. Tate parties, shops expensively, and stays at home, but her career life is effectively sidelined. The star-studded actors and actresses featured in this film, for example, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and the late Luke Perry, collectively underscore their immense talents and continued relevance in Hollywood. Tarantino ensembles a pool of highly talented actors and actresses who propel the film to a Hollywood blockbuster.
Tarantino’s direction brings to the forefront his freewheeling imagination present in this screenplay that also provides a connection to Tarantino’s other films such as Kill Bill: Volume 1. “Treat Her Right,” by Roy Head, and the Traits evokes emotions of care and love relevant in this film. This film creates a retro look coupled with the primary colors of sunset gold and sky blue to resembles Hollywood’s golden era. Tarantino features multiple storylines captured by the film’s main characters to portray the final years of Hollywood’s golden age. Actors and actresses in Hollywood have to justify their relevance over the passing years. As such, Dalton and Booth are examples of previous Hollywood players who fail to adapt to the changing dynamics of Hollywood. Also, the juxtaposition of Polanski and Tate brings to light the influx of wealth present in Hollywood.
Conclusion
This film is an exquisite piece that solidly crafts and builds on the golden era Hollywood coupled with a critical occurrence that changes the dynamics of Hollywood. Also, baby boomers are better suited to this movie due to its setup of the 1960s Hollywood. However, younger generations, such as millennials, will surely find this film to be a masterpiece. As such, this film transcends across different ages of persons.