Amazing for what it is....

Rating: 7/10 (27 July 2019)

Like most people, outside of documentaries,I often look to motion pictures to
(A) Take me away from reality, and...
(B) if they are REALLY good, change my outlook on reality.
If a motion picture accomplishes both, I consider it a film, otherwise, it is a movie.
It's the difference between a hamburger (movie) and fine cuisine (film).
"Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" (OUATIH) ends up being a really, really good hamburger.
It has so many plot lines going on at once to keep you interested, that only a few times did I check my watch (I went to the late show, and the movie is almost 3 hours long.)
The various plot lines are well developed, but do not get too esoteric between the characters. This can be a good or bad thing. I think Pitt and DiCaprio's characters come the closest to revealing their actual characters both through their actions and their lines. There is so much chemistry between the two leads that something magical has to happen, and watching these two together is worth the ticket price. The only possible revelation that does happen is DiCaprio's slow understanding how he is becoming a has-been, the unhappy acceptance of this, and then rebuilding of his pride and character.
Pitt's character does not change much; he is happy to be the pillar that supports DiCaprio. From the start, he is a no-nonsense, flawed, but good hearted character. He is the always supportive friend who has stuck with Dicaprio from day one.
He is the personification of his dog, in that he is loyal, protective, and can be violent, but usually for good cause.
Alone, a movie about two guys who support one another to overcome adversity wouldn't make it very far.
The brilliance in this movie also comes from three other aspects.
One is the myriad of supporting actors; many of whom have worked for Tarantino before. It's like a Tarantino reunion. All the supporting actors do absolutely brilliant work. From Mike Moh acting as Bruce Lee, to the 10 YO prodigy Julia Butters who is the (more) professional actor working alongside DiCaprio on the set of "Lancer".
These sub stories add a lot to the film, and just as quickly as they make their appearance, they are gone, but do show up later in the film as recognizable old friends.
Secondly, although revisionist and "based on a true story", the film does capture another time. Being shot on 35mm film stock, and alluding to events of the time, it makes the viewer feel as if they are in 1969 Hollywood. The sets are absolutely amazing. I won't delve into this or the Manson discussion. It just goes to show how many different elements of culture were mixing in the 60's, before the era came to an abrupt end with Altamont and the Manson killings. This film captures that moment before water boils; it gets quiet and calm, but just for a few seconds.
Finally, and I believe most importantly, is the way that Tarantino plays with the film medium. He explores spaghetti westerns, shows clips of fictional movies, and real movies. Pauses the film, shows TV clips on TV sets in a movie, has his favourite films on marquees, and on and on. It is almost, but not quite, to the point of overload. He replaces McQueen with DiCaprio in "The Great Escape". It is hard to see where reality ends and Tarantino's fictional clips begin. He shows TV shows within a movie, and he does such a good job of replicating TV westerns that you forget the footage is contemporary. This is a really fun aspect of the whole project.
Ultimately, Tarantino is a great movie writer/director. The film does not disappoint at all, but there is no greater point to it. Yes, the sum is greater than the whole of its parts, and you will leave the theatre entertained, but you will not be left questioning your existence. If you are looking for smart, male centered drama, without (thankfully) too much of the violence that Tarantino can't seem to make a movie without, you won't be disappointed.