Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

by Robbo

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Posted on 24 April 2021

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Rating -

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, featuring a large ensemble cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie.

Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film is a mixture of fact and fiction and follows Rick Dalton (DiCaprio), star of a 1950’s western TV series who fears his career is fading and Cliff Booth (Pitt) Dalton’s stunt double and best friend who is a WWII veteran, Green Beret.

The relationship between Dalton and Booth is based on that of Burt Reynolds’ with his longtime stunt double Hal Needham.

Dalton is struggling to re-start his ailing career and Booth struggles to find stunt work due to rumours he murdered his wife.

Actress Sharon Tate (Robbie) and her husband, director Roman Polanski, have moved next door to Dalton, who dreams of befriending them to revive his career.

Booth picks up a female hitchhiker named “Pussycat” and takes her to Spahn Ranch, where Booth once worked where he notices many “hippies” living there, who happen to be the Manson Family.

I don’t want to spoil the end of the film, but it covers the Manson Family and Tate–LaBianca murders, with a twist.

I have always been a fan of Quentin Tarantino since Reservoir Dogs and this film doesn’t disappoint.

The film features strong performances from an ensemble cast with solid performances from the two male leads, Pitt and DiCaprio.

It has a number of storylines, one involving the Manson Family that intertwine into a climactic, gruesome ending.

Parts of the film seemed to drag a little, but overall a very good film and one I would recommend.

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