Once upon a time .. there was fictional revenge

Rating: 9/10 (24 August 2019)

I'm usually sure Tarantino would make a movie so solid and atmospheric that is would convince me to like it by time if not right the first time I watch it. Once upon a time did convince pretty much by the first time.
There is a standard Tarantino movie in our heads, like there is a standard Woody Allen in our head and if a director breaks with our expectations we're either disappointed that he/she did not fulfill them/doesn't work well or we're blown away. Once upon on time ... in Hollywood is one of those movies that didn't even try to be a typical Tarantino: less violence and people dying all over the movie, filmed like an homage to a certain time and making of a movie, "meaningless" scenes etc.
First I experienced the feeling of disappointment but there came a point where the movie told me what's its actually about and I felt like " Ok you got me Tarantino". The whole concept worked for itself although it's not the typical Tarantino storytelling. The atmosphere is outstanding as the actors are and of course you feel the Tarantino handwriting in it. In this movie you have to be able to enjoy some longer scenes that are not made to transport a certain part of the story by being a clever inserted piece of puzzle. Some scenes are just made for giving the movie atmosphere and shaping characters more than necessary like Tarantino fell in love with them. The movie could without a doubt be shorter still make the same sense without those long scenes. I'm not sure if I would have liked that too much though. I really loved that Tarantino didn't even try to be the Tarantino of the past, that he changes, giving the movie what is new on his mind. I'm sure expects of his fans to be progressive in watching his movies and not conservative.
The only reason why I'm not giving 10/10 is the motif of revenge which he uses in too much of his movies and does it in this one either. That made me think about why he just can't find another reason to make a movie. Of course you can say "Why should he if it works perfectly fine?" but this would make him appear a little more colorful and a bit less restricted. But to be fair it is the best movie of 2019 I watched so far and one of his best works at all. I loved it.