*** 1/2 out of Four
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is a lot of fun. It's a long movie- 2 hours and 40 minutes in length- but the time goes fast. A good way to assess if you liked a movie or not is, even after sitting in the theater all afternoon, would you see the same movie again? The answer is a big "Yes" to this film.
Surprisingly, even though it's a Quentin Tarentino flick, it's not very violent- at least not until the very end. Even then, one could ration the need for violence, which I actually enjoyed, as if it was a release of pent up tension.
I loved this movie for many reasons. The twist at the end caught me off-guard, even though there were clues leading up to the climax. I really cared about the characters too. The film is very funny and cleverly written, but there are sad and melancholy scenes as well. I also loved the atmosphere, with so many fine details about Hollywood in 1969.
Old commercials, the great music, the segments of radio and TV all add to the feel of the late 60's. I especially loved the music. Songs by Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Mamas and the Papas, and off-beat nuggets like "Snoopy and the Red Baron" make the movie come alive.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are perfect as Rick and Cliff, the two main characters in the story. Rick is a washed-up actor who used to play a cowboy in a TV series called "Bounty Law." Cliff is his longtime stunt double and friend. You will love hanging with these guys, cruising the Hollywood streets in Rick's creme-colored convertible. It's a buddy movie but so much more.
Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate, the ill-fated actress who was murdered at the hands of the Charles Manson family. She brings the beautiful actress to life is sweet ways, like when she stops into a downtown movie theater to watch herself in the Dean Martin film, The Wrecking Crew.Tarentino stated in an interview that he wanted to focus on Tate's enthusiasm and joy because she is now forever known by her death.
There are roles and cameos by none other then Al Pacino, and Bruce Dern, to name a few. Pacino is great in a minor role, as is Dern. It's interesting to note that Burt Reynolds was signed to play Dern's role but died before shooting began.
Bruce Lee is depicted in a comical way, as one of the more crowd-pleasing scenes is a showdown between the great Martial arts Lee and Cliff. In Tarentino's fairy tale world, Cliff holds his own against Lee in a rumble on the set.
The ending will generate the most discussion. This entire movie will be debated. I thought about it long after we left the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville. It was a refreshing way to spend an a hot and muggy summer matinee afternoon in the cool air conditioning.
It was interesting to note that after the last riveting scene, the smattering of people in the theater didn't immediately leave. They stayed and talked. , even when the lights went up. They were still talking in the lobby and outside the venue.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, nominations the film gets for Oscars next year. Will both DiCaprio and Pitt be nominated as Lead Actors? Even though Pitt "supports" DiCaprio's character, Pitt has more then his share of solo scenes, including a chilling segment where Cliff visits the Manson home ranch. Robbing should be nominated as well, although she doesn't have nearly as much screen time as the two men.
I can easily see Tarentino getting a nomination for Best Director and for the film itself get a nod for Best Picture.
There is also a set-up for a sequel, although the story is so closely tied into the Manson murders that it would be interesting to see what Tarentino would do with a follow-up story.
All in all, I really enjoyed Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. The film drags a bit in the middle, and you can't wait to witness the inevitable climax. The movie also lets multiple questions hanging ( Did Cliff really kill his wife?) . In one way you yearn for answers but in another way, the unanswered items lead to discussion and leave an opening for more Rick and Cliff.
I'm ready to see the film again. I recommend you check it out too.
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