Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – An Ode to the 60s Classic Hollywood Era
- In Movie Reviews
- 09:44 PM, Aug 19, 2019
- Gaurav Rana
When Quentin Tarantino announced the synopsis and superlative cast of his ninth film Once Upon A Time in Hollywood in 2018, it was obvious that it would be an instant classic. It’s for the first time that Leonardo Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, the two most iconic movie stars of our times, have come together for a film and no wonder it’s a box office hit.
I’ve been a huge fan of Tarantino’s movies since I watched Pulp Fiction in 2012 during my college days. When you watch a Tarantino movie, you know what you’re going to experience a roller coaster ride. His films typically have bold and suspenseful storytelling with a dash of humour, peppered with violence, homages to his favourite films, references to 60s spaghetti westerns and lovely curated soundtrack. Long shots and witty dialogues. For instance, those Uma Thurman and John Travolta’s scenes in Pulp Fiction are unforgettable. His films, inspired by 60s and 70s American new wave and spaghetti westerns, reflect his unique style of filmmaking.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is based in 1969 Los Angeles where two lead characters Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double and best friend Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) wrestle with the realities of Hollywood movie industry in their daily lives. Rick, an actor who starred in television hit series Bounty Law in early 60s, is now struggling to make transition to the late 60s counterculture dominated Hollywood. And Cliff is mostly dependent on his boss Rick. Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), a next door neighbour of Rick, is an emerging star who starred in 1967 box office hit Valley of the Dolls and married to an Oscar nominee film director Roman Polanski.
The Trailer of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood:
60s and 80s are the two most prominent decades which made massive impact on the western movie and music industry. And 70s was an extension of late 60s American new wave. 60s witnessed the Civil Rights movement, assassination of JFK, rise of Nixon and Kissinger, Martin Luther King, Vietnam War and counterculture movement. Hollywood was no exception to the juggernaut of late 60s counterculture. New wave cinema altered the landscape of Hollywood and the industry was freed from the shackles of Hays Code and studio system. 60s music also saw the dominance of rock bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream and Led Zeppelin. The emergence of psychedelic and hard rock genres and Woodstock festival signalled the rebirth of culture.
As a fan, I’m obsessed with 60s decade and I was very excited to catch this movie. The verdict is that Tarantino has not disappointed the audience. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a love letter to the 60s classic Hollywood era. Tarantino, who grew up in late 60s and 70s Los Angeles, beautifully weaves the narrative around Los Angeles and the interiors of Hollywood with crisp screenplay. The movie is filled with engaging conversations about the workings of Hollywood, pop references to the spaghetti westerns, 60s TV shows, Playboy mansion parties, 60s advertising billboards, vintage cars, trippy soundtrack and George Spahn movie ranch. The film is gorgeously shot and dipped in 60s colour palette.
Both DiCaprio and Pitt have crackling and authentic on-screen chemistry. Both deliver solid performances. Rick and Cliff display old Hollywood era whereas Sharon Tate represents emerging star of New Wave Hollywood. We know for a fact that Sharon Tate was brutally murdered by Charles Manson and other members of Manson family cult in 1969 and her murder sent shockwaves throughout the world. In the movie, Tate illustrates the innocence and softness of Hollywood. Despite having a supporting role, Margot Robbie gives stellar performance and she outshines the supporting cast.
There are some exceptional scenes to watch out for: Cliff Booth confrontation with the members of Manson family at gorgeous location of Spahn ranch, Rick struggle remembering lines on movie set and his outburst scene, Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) watching the actual scene of Tate starrer 1969 film The Wrecking Crew at a cinema hall, lighting up of Los Angeles billboards and the exhilarating climax.
The film laced with 60s new wave cinema and rock music is an overwhelming experience. Only Tarantino could have done justice to that majestic era.
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