A different film to what I was expecting !!!!

Rating: 8/10 (27 July 2019)

I am not a Tarantino fan. I'm gonna let that be known straight out of the gate because that might come as a surprise to some people, especially considering the feelings and overall thoughts I have about this film. Now don't get me wrong even though I'm not particularly a great fan of his previous films........(I just think some of them are bit overrated, none of them are bad, just don't resonate with me as much)........I can still accept the man's talent as a director and why people are anticipating this film some much.
Now I'm a little surprised that I'm about say this but........I really really liked this film a lot, I would go as far to say that this is my personal favourite of Quentin Tarantino's filmography so far. The main reason being that this film is completely different as to what I was expecting......if anything it completely obliterated my expectations in all the right ways.
Do I really have to comment on the directing in this film....probably not.......but just to remind everyone that yes Quentin Tarantino does still know how to direct a fantastic looking film. End of conversation !
The main positives and best parts of the film for me were the story and character relationship of the two main leads Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt who play "Rick Dalton" and "Cliff Booth" respectively. Their personal story/relationship is the heart of the film as we follow an actor and his stuntman through the film landscape of Hollywood. Of course its acted to perfection, their two of the greatest actors to have ever lived, you can tell that DiCaprio and Pitt really get along their chemistry is off the charts. Oh also massive shoutout to Pitt's dog in the film, hilarious especially in the end.
Now here is a surprising thing I don't think that anyone else in the film is as good as DiCaprio or Pitt from an acting standout. Don't get me wrong everyone else is good in their respective roles however there not at the level of DiCaprio or Pitt. In some films that would be a huge problem but somehow for me it didn't affect the film at all because the two central performances were so good. However Margot Robbie, Kurt Russell, Margret Qualley, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern, Al Pacino, Mike Moh and Julia Butters are all good in their roles.
Now I have no real negatives about the film....maybe its a bit to long......meh maybe....but its nothing major. The only thing I would say is the marketing might a bit misleading or maybe I've mis interpreted what I thought this film was going to focus on. A lot had been made about the fact that the "Manson Murders' would be in the film, and a lot of that was shown in the trailers for the film. Surprisingly the Manson/Sharon Tate storyline kind of takes a back seat.......and I'm actually kind of glad it does as well, because its not as interesting a story as Rick and Cliff's is. I think this could be a real problem for some audience members going in thinking the films focus was that story but its really not. It is touched on throughout here and there but it only really appears at the end.
The ending to this film is brilliant and is everything you could wish to happen.....its just so good how to tie in the Manson/Sharon Tate storyline......brilliant.
Overall its 85% out of 100 or 8.5 out of 10 its a really good film from a director that I'm not a fan of at all, so to someone who absolutely adores his films this should be a good indicator that this film is pretty good. A different film then I was expecting but for all the right reasons. DiCaprio and Pitt stupendously good, fantastic journey they go on culminating in one of the funniest endings that I've seen in a while...its truly deserved at well worth the wait. Can't wait to watch it again !