Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

3 stars
Runtime: 161 minutes

Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) is an engaging character. Perhaps it’s because we know what ultimately happens to her.

She goes to the movies to watch “The Wrecking Crew”, which happens to be the second to last film she worked on before her life was cut short. 

It’s heart breaking to see Tate in the theatre enjoying the fact that the audience is enjoying her performance and probably thinking about the opportunities headed her way. Tarantino does not focus on Tate though, she is simply part of the Hollywood background in 1969.

Tarantino’s ninth film sets his story in the real world of 1969 and surrounds it with real people who lived during that era, but ultimately it is a fictional story. This is something he is known to do, but in this instance I wanted to learn more about the people who actually existed and not the fictional ones he created.

The story follows Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). In the early 60s, Dalton was the star of his own TV show, but now years later, he’s struggling to find steady work.

Dalton has now turned to drinking and doubts his career can go any further. It’s a sad reality for any actor. 

Booth is tough and cool and his only true friend is Dalton. Rumors swirl around Booth’s past that 

make people in the industry distrust him. Dalton’s word is the only thing that will allow Booth on set.

Dalton lives in a house he won’t be able to afford much longer next door to Tate and her husband Roman Polanski (Rafal Zarwierucha). 

The audience knows what to expect at some point during the film as Tate and others with her lose their lives because of Charles Manson (Damon Herriman). 

It’s this balance between fact and fiction that the world lives in. The film is mostly devoid of the violence Tarantino is known for, coming in during the final moments of the film. 

It’s an entertaining film. I found the more interesting aspects of the film coming from the people who actually existed and I wish the film had focused solely on them.

The ending isn’t the one expected and while I appreciate that, I did not like it and wish it had gone in a different direction. 

This is standard Tarantino fare and while it did keep me entertained, I do believe it could have been cut way down. I’m also not sure what Tarantino’s ultimate goal was in telling this story. 

I also wasn’t as invested in Booth and Dalton’s story as I think Tarantino wanted the audience to be. I wanted more of Tate, Manson, and his followers.