November
30
Tags
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
In a year of generally mediocre films it is not difficult to stand out, especially if your name is Quentin Tarantino. Whether the critical acclaim heaped on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) is warranted depends on whether you enjoy films without a narrative core that ooze melodramatic nostalgia and blur the ambiguity of watching movies about making movies.
The plotline unfolds in slow motion and when it finally does, it is largely inconsequential. The story is based around the declining career of a 1950s B-grade Western actor called Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) whose last chance is to capitalise on the popularity of ‘spaghetti westerns’. His alter ego and long-time double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) is the real thing: a war veteran and martial arts expert whose role in life is to make Rick believe in himself, despite the truth. Within this loose cinematic frame, the film meanders from skit to skit without the connective tissue that makes for purposeful or coherent storytelling. It builds a two and a half hour filmic scaffold that culminates in ten gruesome minutes loosely based on the Charles Manson-inspired murder of Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie).
The only lingering after-effect of seeing this film is to question why it was made at all. Neither of the buddy stars are likeable people: Rick is self-serving, weak and shallow, and Cliff doubles up on these qualities and adds a taste for violence. Their acting is understandably old-school and contrived. Sharon is paraded as the film’s visual centrepiece, a role she fills remarkably well despite being given a script that renders her practically dumb. The relationship between the buddies, the Manson cult, and the murders is non-existent other than to imply that nothing needs to make sense if it is linked to Hollywood.
The sole redeeming feature of this film is its forensic attention to reproducing the sets, fashion, styles, and social mores of the 1960s. The archival television and movie footage recreate the ambience and ambivalence of the cultural upheaval that we now refer to as the ‘golden era’ or ‘heyday’ of film and television. While this will appeal to many, others will be distracted by the film’s fractured storyline and its contrived vignettes of the past.
Blending history, fantasy, and entertainment is Tarantino’s ultimate purpose. His message is simple: the fairy tale of Hollywood is and has always been a chimera.
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margo Robbie
CineMuseFilms 
I enjoyed your review and agree with many of the reservations stated. However, I just think this is a filmmaker at the top of his game cinematically speaking. To me this is like Antonioni does Hollywood – with added flamethrowers. A near-missI loved it.
LikeLike
Thanks Paul, and I agree with you about “this is a filmmaker at the top of his game”. Given his track record with innovative films, he must indeed be nearing his pinnacle. However, this one is nowhere near his best and his auteur status will not save the movie’s reputation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool. Ha-ha, have to agree to disagree. Although, I doubt bloggers like ourselves will impact the film’s reputation negatively or positively. It’s already appearing in “best of 2019” lists and has made almost $400 million at the box office.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do despair about today’s film making; if promoters did not scream that a film was a masterpiece before even seen by the general public viewers might indeed find virtue in modest offerings. But dissapointment is inevitable when you are told that a Tarantino film must be loved sight unseen; and so it came to pass.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean regarding hype. However, people generally can make up their own mind and it’s fine to disagree with reviewers and word of mouth plaudits. I’m old enough now to like or dislike something based on my own opinion. That’s what I like about your reviews too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
*near-miss masterpiece!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked this one more than you did, more for the fascinating experience than the narrative. But it’s always interesting to read about varying takes! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I seem to be alone in not liking Tarantino. I realise the depiction of violence is cartoonish but I’d still rather not be confronted by this on the big screen.
Still..the film looked good and I’m sure it was well made, it’s simply not-my-cup- of-tea as films go. A nice review BTW.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are far from alone Anita. Autuerism is part of Hollywood mythology that goes over my head.
LikeLike
Thanks for your reply Richard. I agree. Quentin Tarantino enjoys the status of Hollywood royalty and I imagine it’s a risky business in daring to criticise. I certainly found nothing to laugh about in the mayhem of the last 20 minutes though people present at the screening I attended were laughing out loud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Once Upon a Time In Hollywood: Movie Review