“The 1969 LA story and Movie commentary that still relevant today”

Dir: Quentin Tarantino
Prod: David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino
Writ: Quentin Tarantino
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Margaret Qualley, Emile Hirsch, Damien Lewis, Bruce Dern, Luke Perry, Al Pacino

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is the ninth film by Quentin Tarantino. It tells the story of Rick Dalton, a fading Hollywood star in 1969, who is facing a career downfall. The movie and television industries are changing, and there’s less demand for big-name actors. The era is shifting, with Hollywood stars now often being known only by the names of their characters.

The story of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood feels particularly relevant today. In the era of superhero movies, star power seems less important. For example, we know Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, and whenever we see him on screen, we think, “That’s Iron Man.” The same goes for Chris Evans, whose portrayal of Captain America is so iconic that we often ask, “What’s Captain America doing here?” The industry had changed from the 1960s to the 2000s, when moviegoers watched films because of their favorite actors. Back then, stars like Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Kirk Douglas, Roy Scheider, Marlon Brando, Mel Gibson, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino (who has a short but memorable role in this film), Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Helen Mirren, Gene Hackman, Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman etc. were instantly recognizable, and their names alone could draw an audience to theaters.

Today, the focus has shifted. With the dominance of superhero franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), audiences don’t necessarily care who’s in the movie. They’re more interested in the storyline, the characters, and the sequels. The star power of actors seems secondary; people just want to see how the story ends and what will happen next in the franchise.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a unique film because it blends fictional characters with real people. The non-linear structure of the film presents the story from the points of view of three characters: Rick Dalton, who is grappling with his career in the changing industry; Cliff Booth, Dalton’s stunt double, who lives a more unpredictable life and has an intriguing backstory (including the mysterious death of his wife); and Sharon Tate, a real person who was tragically murdered by Charles Manson and his followers in 1969. Tarantino approaches Tate’s character with respect, using her tragic fate as a backdrop to explore Hollywood’s changing landscape.

The way the story unfolds particularly the twist ending is quintessential Tarantino. The film’s climax is both humorous and emotional, as Tarantino changes history. In this alternate version of events, Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, and their friends survive, and Rick Dalton’s career continues to rise. The use of Maurice Jarre’s “Miss Lily Langtry” in the final moments enhances the film’s fairy-tale quality and serves as a poignant tribute to Sharon Tate. This emotional and poetic conclusion left me in tears, as Tarantino masterfully shifts history to give us an idealized, more hopeful outcome.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is not for everyone. However, if you enjoy movies where the journey is as important as the destination, and you’re looking for a film to watch with friends for a fun, relaxed time, this movie is highly enjoyable. It may not be Tarantino’s highest achievement, but it’s certainly one of his best. Along with Jackie Brown and Inglourious Basterds, it’s one of my favorite Tarantino films. This movie will become a midnight and screening discussion favorite talking about movie.