This is what it's all about

Rating: 10/10 (27 July 2019)

I had to sign up for IMDB to share my thoughts on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. I'm a diehard QT fan, can quote just about any scene from any movie, have seen everything he's done an embarrassing number of times. I feel safe in saying there's a distinction between what my favorite Tarantino movie is vs what I think the best Tarantino movie is. My favorite is Jackie Brown, because I adore hangout movies, love the soundtrack and love the portrayal of LA during this era. I would never say Jackie Brown is Tarantino's best - that would be either Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill or Django Unchained. But Jackie Brown is my proverbial desert island Tarantino movie. Well, it was...
Once Upon a Time is a masterpiece. I'll say it again, it's a masterpiece. It will likely go down not only as the best Tarantino, but simultaneously my favorite as well. As stated by Quentin himself, it's a hangout movie - but unlike the dark nature of Jackie Brown or the Vincent/Jules dynamic in Pulp Fiction, Rick and Cliff aren't deadly assassins by trade. They're just two buddies navigating the evolving film industry in LA, and this bond is clearly demonstrated on screen. Brad and Leo are absolutely fantastic in their roles. I can't decide who was better. Leo's character perfectly blends humor with the agony of realizing his star power is dimming. Brad's character is the perfect counterpart. Rick is growing neurotic, Cliff is grounded, cool and collected - a perfect yin/yang recipe. Both deserve Oscar nominations for these performances.
I don't want to say too much as I hate people who spoil movies. I will just say that if you are a fan of Tarantino there's almost a certainty you will not only love this movie but it will almost certainly enter your top 3. Some of the (few) negative reviews have complained of the story being slow, nothing happening, etc, etc. I point you to Jackie Brown. That was the epitome of slow by Tarantino standards, and it was still a homerun whereas Once Upon a Time is a grandslam - a flawless movie about two buddies with all the bells and whistles one hopes for in a movie by QT.
A weird thing I've noticed. When I left the theater after the Hateful Eight I was really letdown. But after a few hours of reflecting I began to shed my expectations and re-evaluate what I'd just seen. Hateful Eight eventually grew to become one of my most beloved Tarantino movies. I think some people will go into Once Upon a Time expecting a 1969 version of Pulp Fiction - surf guitar licks, gunslinging, outlandish one liners, etc. We should be thankful it's not that. Once Upon a Time is its own beast, though it clearly references and borrows from various Tarantino films and most diehard Tarantino fans will spot these references without much difficulty. It sews up the Tarantino universe with great charm.
And oh yeah, don't get up and leave right away. There's a little treat, sweet as an apple, about 2-3 min to the final credits.
Inglorious Basterds ended with Brad Pit looking into the camera and, with a grin, saying "This just might be my masterpiece". I'm happy to say that honor now goes to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.