The "9th" film from distinctive director Quentin Tarantino, a crop of A-list talent and one of the most notorious murders of all time, 'Once Upon A Time In... Hollywood', of course, garnered much early interest within its infancy. With Tarantino, you have a rough idea of what to expect, with his signature tropes that he has showcased over the twenty-seven years as a full feature director being instantly recognisable across the board. However, 'Hollywood' seems to showcase in many ways a more mature and methodical entry from Tarantino with him toning down on some of his "Tarantino-isms" in a way that isn't quite as effective.
Following two days in the lives of TV Western star Rick Dalton (Leonardo Di Caprio) and his best friend and troubled stunt-man Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) and then another day six months ahead, 'Hollywood' does not follow a traditional route of storytelling. It's easily more of a time capsule, an homage to a time the director clearly loves as we slowly drive around 1960's LA, going through bars, TV studios, cinemas etc. There are moments that do eventually connect to one another but nothing of sort to create a coherent, traditional storyline. This meandering through Los Angeles can become tiresome, although credit must be given for the detail put into the setting. The use of Rick Dalton's TV shows helps show the lows and vulnerability of an ageing actors life, with the set designs and going through what the shooting style back then was like is a genuine pleasure to view, as is following Booth throughout the rougher areas. However, this is a large chunk of the films runtime and without a true story and a lack of tension for the most part, it starts to drag and isn't the most satisfying for a film that is over two and a half hours long. The problem with 'Hollywood' is that it doesn't really command your attention, with the film drifting into many different parts with not an abundance of detail to the events themselves. Tarantino's desire to recapture the magic of this time period is entertaining in parts but a lack of cohesion makes this seem like nothing more than paying respect to a past time he clearly loves.
Di Caprio and Pitt's performances of course aid the films cause, with interesting characters who you enjoy being around and who's charisma carry the film through. These are two splendid performances that do their best to hold your attention at the best of times, even if there isn't much happening along the way. Despite the story - or lack thereof - the two do develop as the film goes on, gaining their just in the end in a way that reflects their characters careers perfectly. As for Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, not much can really be said other than she's in perhaps the most Quentin Tarantino frame of all time. It's surprising how little focus is on her, considering the marketing which made her seem like one of the films biggest parts which she isn't really except to do with the obvious third act.
Although the first two acts don't exactly deliver on the chaos, Tarantino comes out all guns blazing in the final act and delivers what audiences will be expecting. The excessive violence and the rewrite of history - similarly to his work on 'Inglorious Bastards' - comes through in exciting and exhilarating fury. It's Tarantino at his best even if only for a short period of time but in the end does deliver a satisfying experience, much more so than the previous two acts.
'Once Upon A Time In... Hollywood' is in no means a bad film but coming from such an auteur as Tarantino and comparing it to the famed director's filmography, it feels a little off. It intentionally is not as wild as some of his other films but doesn't necessarily fill that void with enough content to fully satisfy. It feels more like its directed by 'a' guy rather than 'thee' guy in comparison to his much higher body of work. Nonetheless, with two fantastic lead performances, clever dialogue as usual and beautiful look at the time period, the film does provide a fairly enjoyable viewing, just not to the same extent as Tarantino's previous ventures.
