Monday, July 29, 2019

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

This film was one interesting ride.
Rick Dalton's (Leonardo DiCaprio's) career has seen better days and he's especially melancholy about it. Acting is basically all he has.
However, he does have a great bromance with his former stuntman and maybe wife murderer, Cliff Boone (Brad Pitt, who looks too good for his age). They have a great relationship and always have each other's backs. And it never waivers.
The film occurs over two days in February 1969 and then one day in August of 1969 and also involves the Mansion murders, with a twist. Cliff picks up a hitchhiker (Margaret Qualley) which leads him back to the old abandoned set of Rick's TV show where a bunch of hippies live.
Things come to a head on that hot night in August. While the film isn't particularily violent, the third act more than makes up for it. Despite being high and unarmed, Cliff still manages with the help of his ever loyal canine, Brandy, to kill two of them while Rick despite being drunk off his ass, takes care of the third and strikes a friendship with his neighbor Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) out of incident.
While the road is an interesting and well-written one, this film will not inspire you or anything of the sort, but with brilliant performances and impeccable acting, you believe that you have been transported to that time, fifty years ago. This film is without a doubt, one of the best films of this year and any year. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-As with a typical Quentin Tarantino film, there are cameos galore. Pay attention for Bruce Dern, Timothy Olyphant, Al Pacino, Julia Butters, Emile Hirsch, Brenda Vaccaro, Kurt Russell, Rumor Willis, Lena Dunham, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Dreama Walker, Austin Butler, Luke Perry and Damian Lewis, probably the only miscast person in this film. He has a cameo as Steve McQueen.
-Brandy, the dog, is hands down my favorite character. She is brilliant, loyal, sweet, fierce, and deadly if her master is in danger, which is everything you want in a dog.
-Sharon Tate is utterly beautiful and sweet. I hate her.
-There is also good scene with Cliff and Bruce Lee (Mike Moh), where Cliff flings Bruce into a car.
-You have to wonder if Cliff did kill his wife or not. It is one of the mysteries that will never be solved.

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