It's Tarantino's most personal film but not one of his best

Rating: 7/10 (17 March 2020)

Quentin Tarantino's 9th film is a peculiar one. In some ways it is not a traditional "Tarantino" film. It is surprisingly light on violence. Coincidentally, it might be the most 'Tarantino" film he has ever made. The director is in full self-indulgent mode here. I do not think he has ever made a more personal film. Once Upon a Time, mixes fiction and fact, in this buddy tale of a has-been actor, his stunt double friend and an end of an era in Hollywood. For a two hour and forty minute film, there is not much that happens in terms of plot. It is mostly nostalgic and moody. For the majority of its runtime, the film coasts along on neutral. We get a lot of cruising in cars, barefoot hippie girls, cool tracks, beautiful sceneries and outstanding performances. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio have great chemistry and both men give immensely watchable performances. They are a big part of the reason why this thinly plotted, nearly three hour film was so enjoyable. Even though she does not get a whole lot of screen time, Margot Robbie is enchanting as Sharon Tate. Only if the picture as a whole was as good as its talented cast, beautiful cinematography and immaculate production, then we would have had something special on our hands. As is, Once Upon a Time is a good movie but not one of the directors best.