David Pierdomenico
Spoiler-Free until the end
There are perhaps no other directors in the world quite like Quentin Tarantino. Certainly, many filmmakers have a recognizable style all their own (Tim Burton, M. Night Shyamalan, Wes Anderson, J.J. Abrams, etc.), but unlike many of his peers, Tarantino is just as interesting as many of the characters he creates. We see in interview after interview that he absolutely lives and breathes filmmaking, along with the entire film industry.
His passion for the subject not only makes him entertaining to watch, but it makes his films feel like they were done with the utmost devotion to the craft. And this is no more apparent than in his very love letter to Hollywood itself. Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood reminds us just what we love about Tarantino’s style, while at the same time pays homage to everything he loves about his profession.
Not a Manson Story at All
When Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood was first announced, even before it had a known title, all that we knew was that it dealt with the Manson murders. And while that’s not entirely untrue, it’s also quite misleading, given the final product. The film follows three protagonists concurrently. We have a washed-up TV actor, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), his somewhat arrogant stunt performer Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), and of course Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), the only character based on a real life person.
Rick’s career seems to be circling the drain as he’s only getting one-off parts as villains on TV shows. His masculine, cowboy-esque screen persona doesn’t really mesh well with the age of hippies and counterculture that was the late 1960’s. DiCaprio brings a vulnerability to the role (which we haven’t really seen from him since The Departed). His performance is brilliant and beautiful as we see an actor struggling with anxiety and self-doubt.
He makes an unlikely, but entertaining duo with Cliff, who is perfectly fine with the fact that their careers aren’t what they used to be. He’s much more laid back and willing to go with the flow. As Rick is off working on TV sets, Cliff (who’s also his driver) enjoys himself driving around Hollywood. After spotting an attractive young woman needing a ride (Margaret Qualley), he ends up getting involved with the Manson “family”. As previously mentioned, Charles Manson himself only appears on screen once and barely has more than two lines. This film is not at all about him. Rather, it’s about Hollywood and protecting creativity.
Margot Robbie plays a fun, loving, and almost idealized version of Sharon Tate. She brings a sweetness and kindness to the role, which makes it clear, that (to Tarantino at least), she represents Hollywood itself. She gleefully goes to see one of her own films and relishes at watching the audience react to it. There’s an immense amount of innocence to her, which is all the more tragic considering her real-life brutal murder in 1969.
All the Usual Tarantino-isms
But of course, this wouldn’t be a Tarantino film without his incredibly unique style we’ve all come to know and love. Much like Pulp Fiction, this story follows our three characters concurrently (but still keeps a linear timeline). In many ways it plays out more like a novel than a film, which is typical for him, complete with random narration! Which doesn’t seem so jarring here as it did in Hateful Eight, but mostly because it’s Kurt Russell narrating rather than Tarantino himself, so it doesn’t come off as self-serving.
We get fun cameos from many of his regulars, including Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, and Zoe Bell, along with a few new faces like Harley Quinn Smith (Kevin Smith’s daughter), and even a brief appearance from Maya Hawke, the daughter of Ethan Hawke and the Bride herself, Uma Thurman (who you may also recognize from Stranger Things Season 3). Between these cast members, and all the subtle references to his other films, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood is very much a celebration of Tarantino’s entire career.
(Spoilers Ahead!!!)
The Art of Alternate History
Much like with Inglorious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino tells his own version of history that differs significantly from what really happened. There’s a popular fan theory that all of his films are set in an alternate universe, where this is what really happened. Such as Hitler dying in a movie theater in France, ending the war in 1944. It’s universe where 9/11 maybe never happened, because in Kill Bill, we see the Bride carrying her Hattori Hanzo sword right next to her while on a plane.
And the same is true here. Rather than see the beautiful and innocent Sharon Tate murdered so viciously, we instead see the Manson followers go face to face with Cliff, his dog, and even a flamethrower! In a strange way, Tarantino gives us his cinematic version of history that’s much more pleasant than what really happened. One where someone was there to prevent a tragedy from taking place. In any other context, it would seem ridiculous at best, or misleading at worst. But given the over-stylized nature of his films, he seems to get away with it every time.
To date, Tarantino has stated that this will be his next to last film. Time will tell if this turns out to be true. But he decided not to make any more, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood would be the perfect film to end on. Not only is it his homage to Hollywood itself, but it’s the ultimate self-referential culmination of Tarantino’s entire career!
