Nostalgic Emotion and Genuine Entertainment

Rating: 7/10 (5 August 2019)

Set in late 60s California, Quentin Tarantino's most recent picture "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" places audiences in a slow starting and fast finishing wholistic two hour film.
A piece created for its time the movie matches washed up has beens and ambitious wannabe's in a time where the world around them is becoming less about that "golden" Hollywood lifestyle.
Tarantino's unique directing style shines through with long drawn out simple scenes and conversation dialogue that actually feels like something two people would be talking about in ways that two people might actually be talking to each other. Like most conversations in passing, some may not be as particularly interesting as others, but throughout the film this adds a much needed layer of realism to a time period that is normally sensationalized at every instance in its reflection of cinema. Additionally the story is relatively straightforward due to the assist of its alignment with the terrible Manson family event that happened that fateful day in 1969.
For personal enjoyment I was left pleased when the film was over that my captivation in the moment was not lost or interrupted by anything a character on screen did. Actions felt warranted and words felt real in what is a testament to both the actor and Tarantino's writing himself.
While falling short of his previous greats like "Hateful Eight" and "Inglourious Basterds", "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" successfully evokes nostalgic emotion and provides genuine entertainment in a realistic and exciting thoughtful slice of life.
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Jim Score: 7.3/10