“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is a 2019 American film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film is a nostalgic and satirical homage to the final years of Hollywood’s golden age in the 1960s. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and features a supporting cast of actors such as Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, and Kurt Russell. The film explores the intersection of real historical events with fictional characters, set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing film industry.
Plot Summary
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood takes place in 1969 Los Angeles and focuses on two central characters:
- Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a fading television star best known for his role in a 1950s Western TV show Bounty Law, and
- Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), Rick’s loyal stunt double and best friend.
Rick is struggling to find his place in the modern Hollywood system, as his career is in decline, and the TV shows and film roles he once had are drying up. Meanwhile, Cliff is more laid-back and content with his role as Rick’s sidekick, though he too faces challenges. Both characters embody the type of Hollywood outsider who is being replaced by a new wave of talent in the entertainment industry.
The film also follows Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), a rising star and the wife of director Roman Polanski. Tate, who was brutally murdered in 1969 by members of the Manson Family, is depicted in the film as a symbol of innocence and the new wave of cinema in Hollywood. While the film does not follow a traditional linear narrative, it interweaves Rick and Cliff’s struggles with the events surrounding Tate’s tragic fate, ultimately blending fictionalized events with real-life history.
As the story unfolds, Rick gets an opportunity to star in a Spaghetti Western in Italy, and Cliff continues to navigate his own path in Hollywood. The film culminates in an alternate history of the infamous Manson Family murders, where Rick and Cliff, through a series of chance events, become directly involved in stopping the killers in a violent and unexpected way.
Cast and Characters
- Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton: A once-famous actor in a deep career slump. DiCaprio’s performance as the insecure, desperate, and over-the-top Rick is one of the highlights of the film.
- Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth: Rick’s loyal, easy-going stunt double who is also trying to make sense of his life in a changing Hollywood. Pitt’s portrayal of Cliff earned him widespread acclaim, winning several awards including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
- Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate: The beautiful and vibrant actress who represents the new wave of Hollywood. While she doesn’t have a major role in the film’s narrative, her character provides a sense of innocence, as she is unknowingly on the path to her tragic fate.
- Al Pacino as Marvin Schwarz: A Hollywood agent who tries to sign Rick Dalton for a new career opportunity in Italy.
- Kurt Russell as “The Bounty Law” narrator and as a producer on set. He also appears in scenes involving the film industry’s behind-the-scenes process.
- Dakota Fanning as Squeaky Fromme: A member of the Manson Family, who is one of the film’s antagonists.
- Timothy Olyphant, Luke Perry, and Michael Madsen appear in smaller supporting roles.
Themes and Tone
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is an exploration of the changing landscape of the film industry in the late 1960s, particularly in relation to the decline of old Hollywood and the rise of a new, more experimental wave of filmmaking. The film deals with themes such as:
- Nostalgia: Tarantino often plays with nostalgia in his films, and here, he examines a particular moment in Hollywood’s history, capturing the end of an era. The film is a love letter to old-school filmmaking and the stars of the past.
- Identity and Reinvention: The film’s characters, particularly Rick Dalton, struggle with their identity as the world around them changes. Rick faces an existential crisis as he tries to remain relevant in an industry that no longer values his talents, while Cliff finds his place by staying true to his role as a stuntman.
- The Changing Hollywood: The film contrasts the traditional Hollywood system of the past with the countercultural forces of the 1960s, exemplified by the rise of Spaghetti Westerns and the Manson Family murders, showing how the industry was changing both in front of and behind the camera.
- Alternate History: Tarantino is known for creating alternate histories in his films, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is no exception. The film’s take on the Manson Family murders presents an alternative, more violent outcome, offering viewers a sense of closure to a real-life tragedy.
The tone of the film is a blend of comedy, drama, and action, with long, leisurely scenes and moments of absurdity that make the film feel both lighthearted and poignant. While some moments are tragic, there are also sequences filled with humor, surrealism, and Tarantino’s signature witty dialogue.
Cinematography and Visual Style
The film’s cinematography, handled by Robert Richardson, captures the essence of 1960s Los Angeles, using wide shots of the city, period-appropriate signage, and vibrant colors. The film immerses viewers in the atmosphere of the time, with its attention to detail in recreating the look of Hollywood during the late 1960s, including the music, fashion, and vehicles. The film also uses extensive driving scenes, with Rick and Cliff journeying around the city, further emphasizing the scale of their lives in the sprawling metropolis.
Tarantino also employs his signature style of extended, slow-paced scenes with rich dialogue that builds tension and develops character. The use of music, both period-appropriate and original, is also essential to the film’s tone, with songs from the 1960s adding to the nostalgia and evoking the feel of the time.
Reception
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was met with critical acclaim, particularly for its performances, direction, and nostalgic portrayal of Hollywood. Critics praised the film for its rich, character-driven storytelling and its exploration of the industry’s golden age and the cultural shifts of the 1960s. Brad Pitt’s performance was especially singled out, with many calling it one of the best of his career. He won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $374 million worldwide against a production budget of $90 million, and it became one of the highest-grossing films of 2019. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for DiCaprio. It won two Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor for Pitt and Best Production Design.
Legacy and Impact
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is considered one of Tarantino’s finest works, blending his love of cinema with a deep, melancholic reflection on Hollywood’s past. The film has been credited with revitalizing interest in 1960s culture and has sparked conversations about how the industry has evolved, particularly in its treatment of women and marginalized groups.
The film also sparked discussions about the ethical implications of fictionalizing real-life events, especially in the context of the Manson Family murders, which were a real and tragic part of American history. Despite this, the film is seen as an entertaining, immersive experience that highlights the golden age of Hollywood in a unique, unconventional way.
In conclusion, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a vibrant and complex film that offers a blend of nostalgia, humor, and introspection, set against the backdrop of 1960s Hollywood. Through its rich performances and visual style, the film captures a moment in time while weaving a fictional tale that honors the history of cinema.
