As a true crime buff and student of all things ‘60s, I had been excitedly awaiting Quentin Tarantino’s comedy/drama
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood since last summer and, having just watched it on my laptop, I wish I had seen it in a theater with people, the smell of popcorn, and the sound of shared laughter- all of which would have added to the retro feel of the experience. With the exception of
Inglourious Basterds (in which Brad Pitt’s memorable performance as Aldo Raine made the film more enjoyable for me), I’m not a fan of Tarantino’s movies which are- let’s be honest- cinematic junk food that too often include disturbing images of rape and violence simply because it’s what the audience has come to expect from the director. But, thankfully, this was not an issue for me with
Once Upon a Time.
The movie begins in early 1969 in Los Angeles and follows the lives of two actors who are next-door neighbors: Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). Dalton is fictional- an alcoholic cowboy actor whose life and career are in a downward spiral. The only thing keeping Dalton alive is his buddy and stunt double- Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Sharon Tate, of course, was real- a bright, beautiful, up and coming actress (we share the same birthday) who was married to the hottest director at the time, Roman Polanski. Tate was eight months pregnant when in August 1969 three members of the Manson family broke in just after midnight and murdered her and four others. This true event hangs over the film with impending doom right up until the shocking finale which takes place on that August night.
DiCaprio turns in a great performance but this is Pitt’s movie in which to shine and he deservedly received an Oscar. With a killer
AM pop soundtrack and wonderful shots of the L.A surroundings, the movie really puts you in 1969 Hollywood with all the players including Sharon and Roman partying at the Playboy Mansion with Steve McQueen and members of
the Mamas and the Papas; Bruce Lee teaching the martial arts; and Booth and his pit bull, Brandy, just scraping to get by. There are also creeping in the background Manson and his dirty, barefoot hippies who eat out of dumpsters and plot murder. I like the way the movie shows the ‘60s as a time when people still helped each other. Perhaps all that started to change when a group of hippies became homicidal maniacs and went on a killing spree. Grade: A
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