Made by a movie lover for movie lovers

Rating: Null/10 (9 September 2019)

A Quentin Tarantino movie is an event and with a star cast such as this Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is bound to be a huge one. The old-style shooting on film, using live locations with old school movie star charms also make this movie something of an anomaly in this age (2019). Many of the pleasures to be found in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood are better discovered on their own than revealed in a review. Valid criticisms can be leveled against Tarantino's latest - the most obvious of which relates to its length. There are times, especially late in the proceedings, when the narrative momentum flags and it becomes apparent that 161 minutes might have been too generous. The film's meandering approach, however, is as much an asset as a detriment. Although it contributes to the lack of cohesion, it allows Tarantino great freedom in advancing his characters' stories. He relies a little too much on nostalgia- but many of those bits still bring a smile to the face. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was made by a movie-lover for movie-lovers.