A Fractured Fairy Tale - Tarantino Style

Rating: 5/10 (28 July 2019)

GRADE: C
THIS FILM IS MILDLY RECOMMENDED.
IN BRIEF: Yes, the 60's were a wild time, but not as out of control as Quentin Tarantino's latest effort. It's his unfocused screenplay that undermines his movie.
JIM'S REVIEW: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a very fractured fairy tale of late 60's LA. The film is 80% period atmosphere, 10% pop music, 8% star gazing, and 2% story, plot, and character development. Director / Writer Quentin Tarantino sets up an intriguing scenario and serves up his happily-ever-after revisionist ending once again (which seems to be an annoying reoccurring theme with this filmmaker of late). This time, the results are disappointing.
Mr.Tarantino continually hones his craft as he repeatedly knows how to stage and build his scenes artistically, but that skill does not hide the empty and banal script. He seems more interested in cruising the streets with the radio blasting oldie hits or celebrating the golden age of Tinseltown with insider knowledge of filmdom than developing an intricate or interesting storyline.
Far too much screen time is spent on period details, from movie marquees extolling B movies, nostalgic action TV shows, the western genre, and mod outfits than fleshing out his central characters and their relationships. The movie meanders from one set pieces to the next and builds pretension rather than tension. The screenplay takes nearly an hour to finally get to its basic plot and takes even more detours than necessary on its long and winding road to glory and gory.
Fortunately, Mr. Tarantino has two star actors in his buddy film and they do some heavy lifting to add more bravado to their machismo stock roles. Leonardo DICaprio plays Rick Dalton, an down-on-his-luck alcoholic actor hoping to revive his failing career. Brad Pitt is Rick's loyal sidekick and best bud, Cliff Booth, his longtime stunt double who now serves as his gofer and number one fan. Their lives intertwine as do the events of Rick's neighbors: Roman Polanski, Sharon Tate, Charles Manson and his hippie clan. The two legendary actors use their already established screen personas to maximum advantage and they are very good, deserving of better material.
The stargazing continues with the film's large ensemble. A perfectly cast Margot Robbie exemplifies the late Sharon Tate, but her role is underwritten. It's a shame that this throwaway role was downplayed and given minor status. The actress could have made a lasting impression with more screen time. Al Pacino is fun to watch as a slick Hollywood producer as is the reliable Bruce Dern. Providing solid support are Margaret Qualley and Dakota Fanning as two of Manson's followers, Timothy Olyphant as real-life actor, James Stacy, and a memorable turn by child actress, Julia Butters. Kurt Russell turns up as does Emile Hirsch and Luke Perry (his last film role) in what amounts to mere cameos. Mike Mohl as Bruce Lee is slightly amusing in his politically incorrect interpretation of Bruce Lee, but a miscast Damien Lewis fumbles as Steve McQueen for a mercilessly short time.
Despite its many flaws,Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood is a well crafted movie with top notch production values. Wonderful cinematography by Robert Richardson, detailed set design by Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh, and Arianne Phillips' period costumes celebrate the era with sly assurance, even if the movie ultimately fails due to Mr. Tarantino's unfocused script (and Fred Raskins' editing which needs more judicious cutting). The director's virtuoso excesses are still there for his fanbase, but his usual clever dialog is absent for the most part. This is one of Mr. Tarantino's weakest efforts to date.
But expect the unexpected...if that is sufficient enough. This is a Tarantino film after all, even if he sadly drifts into "what if" territory. Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood should have much to say, but the words and overwrought multiple stories get in the way. Major rewrites were needed and went unheeded. It is another case of a Hollywood screenwriter letting down a Hollywood director (and the moviegoing audience). Too bad it is one and the same person. Very fractured indeed.
NOTE: A very funny post credits sequence is the best part of the film. Stay to see the tongue-firmly-in cheek Red Apple Cigarette commercial. It is a hoot!