Love him or not, Quentin Tarantino has made an impact in cinema thanks to his explosive, dynamic, and very sensational style of filmmaking that's gone through decades and generations of praise and controversy. From Pulp Fiction to Kill Bill, and of course Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained, the man has an eye for whimsical and edgy fun that'll literally blow you off your seats - whether its over-the-top action sequences, no-holds-barred dialogue, or something so unexpected that it will get you talking about the movie even after the credits roll and you've left the cinema.
I'm happy to say that the director's ninth film - "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" - is a great example of his art form brought to life in an exceptional manner, acting as both a tribute and love letter to 1969 era Hollywood. Set at the backdrop of what would be infamously known as the "Manson Family Murders", this was a period of innocence, transition, and so much developments in Hollywood and cinema that it's only fitting that a man like Quentin Tarantino would make his vision of this bygone era - full of potential yet also riddled with its own troubled history and eccentricities that happen behind the camera.
Featuring an all-star cast of actors and talents, most who have worked with Tarantino in the past, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood centers primarily around actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt respectively). A former Star of the popular cowboy show "Bounty Law", Rick's career in Hollywood is dovetailing to "Has Been" status with the natural progression of the film and television industry. Despite getting offers and options, Rick's faltering leading man persona is what motivates his persistence at proving he's still got what it takes to "do what he does". With the support of his best friend/ stunt double Cliff, he makes do with the cards he's dealt with - all the while seeing both men navigate through the changing times, hippie movement, and turbulent situations in Hollywood, which includes the rise of starlet actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who also happens to be Rick's neighbor.
What makes Once Upon A Time In Hollywood great is it absolutely recreates a stunning facsimile of Hollywood circa 1969. All the dazzling lights, convertibles, youthful aggression, and allure of stardom all come together in this same century that produced the likes of Steve McQueen and Bruce Lee (who happen to be played by actors Damian Lewis and Mike Moh respectively), and Rick Dalton and Brad Pitt are in this industry to survive and adapt by whatever means necessary if that's what it takes. Tarantino paints a comfortable yet desperate picture for Rick Dalton, whom DiCaprio plays as his own worst critique who is constantly frustrated for not being able to recapture the glory of his leading man years. Meanwhile Cliff Booth, portrayed with suave and skill by Pitt, is more or less Rick's best pal and glorified assistant who is there to support his boss while not attending to his own lovable dog and business. We also get to see other superb acting choices in Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, former Spider-Man actor Nicholas Hammond, and the late Luke Perry - all who have special roles that play on their strengths. It's one of the gifts Tarantino has - an eye for cinema and the ability to surprise us with "wows and ohs" while sprinkling some cool popculture references in between (this is also the same era that produced Batman '66 and The Green Hornet, the latter of which is why Bruce Lee is also represented in this film).
By far, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is one of Tarantino's strongest if not exceptional movies that he has made in his career. It takes a real-life setting and turns it into the director's own unique interpretation of what he loved in 1969 Hollywood, and we learn how to experience and love that in return as we follow the progression of Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth's adventure all the way to the end. It's certainly deserving of the standing ovation the film got when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year, and its stylish, hip presentation will get you talking and thinking about how this movie was made and thought of - just as with anything made by Quentin Tarantino.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is now showing in theaters c/o Columbia Pictures Philippines.
Rating - 5/5
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