A refreshing entry in Quentin's filmography

Rating: 6/10 (15 August 2019)

Sometimes when watching a film, it's nice to see something that just lets the characters "be". There's no real overarching plot, just a bunch of characters living their daily lives trying to achieve similar goals. Some scenes work better than others to portray this message but it's hard to deny the endearing qualities of the film. When something plot reliant does happen it feels like an explosion (albeit a jarring one). The dialogue changes its tone and style depending on what it's paying homage to. While I get what Quentin was trying to do with this, in parts, it ends up confusing the framing of the film. In the grander scheme of the film, it's not something that ruins the experience.
This film is a bizarre yet reserved entry into Quentin's filmography. The dialogue is less stylistic and more subtle. This is why I think this film is quite different from his other works. It's admirable that this late into his career he is still taking risks and there's something in that people will keep coming back to. The film sums it's mission statement perfectly with the exchange between the little girl and Leo, there's something cynical yet earnest in that exchange and that's what makes Once Upon a Time such a resonant experience. The relationship between the real and the imagined experience. Taking these tropes and breathing new life into them and from Tarantino, I wouldn't expect any less.