I stand corrected

Rating: 9/10 (19 March 2020)

Having an ax to grind against Quentin Tarantino for various reasons, I never thought he'd make a movie this good. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood seems less loved by his core fans, which really surprises me! I'm not a fan, and consider this not only his best film, but also an instant classic, go figure.
Does any more really needs to be said about this film at IMDB? Very little likely, with over 4500 reviews. I'd also guess that 90% of the eyes that hit this review have already seen the movie. However, if you are in the minority, and wonder if you should watch this film? Yes!!! Absolutely.
You will not see a better produced film in the modern era, perhaps outside of some Christopher Nolan films. The production quality is magnificent and fully earned the Academy Award. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is also a very clever film. All the content wraps around itself in ways that is very fun to think about after watching the movie. It's the first Tarantino film where I thought the violence was completely, thematically justified. It's also the first Tarantino film he didn't mare by casting himself in a major role and scene (thank you). Technically Tarantino also wasn't in True Romance, but this is a film he wrote, but did not direct.
To a cynic, this movie is would be the better part of 2 hours of exposition, then about 40 good minutes of Tarantino to finish it off. I hate that interpretation. Most of the gold in this film is early on. There is no exposition. The ending is an amazing payoff to how the movie opens and evolves - exactly how it should be in top tier film making. Honestly - how many times have you seen a movie with an amazing first act, average second, and shit third? It happens all the time! For a movie to start this good, then end better? It's just great film making, and perhaps something I never really appreciated about Tarantino films. They are complete, and his third acts are often the strongest of the three.
Not to mention the likable nature of the two main characters, which is absolutely new to me in a Tarantino film. Textured characters? sure. Interesting characters? you betcha! But Likable characters? No way - Tarantino films are generally so packed with unlikable characters, It's a wonder I get through them at all! This is often a deal breaker for me regarding film, tv, books, short stories. I have to root for someone. I have to want to see their story unfold. This has Nothing to do with characters ethics or worldview, simply, are they likeable?
In this case yes! They are fun, interesting, dangerous and full of great dialog. And about that dialog. By Tarantino standards it is very spare. The grandstanding and diatribes are where they should be, and everywhere else the dialog moves wonderfully with the pace of the film. Other Tarantino films, Inglorious Bastards comes to mind, have scenes so bloated with dialog, the viewer can actually forget the context of the scene! The who, what, when, where, why. That isn't a good thing! To me, it was the biggest barrier between Tarantino making a classic film like many of Sergio Leone's films. Sergio understood silences and spare use of dialog, and I always felt Tarantino wanted to be Sergio, but also wanted to flaunt his greatest talent, writing. I think Tarantino found the correct balance in this film, and at this stage of his career, to make this huge change in approach is admirable.
I consider it a great film, and my favorite moments have to be the cut-away scenes and moments were we see the main character in TV shows and Movies. The violence in these scenes is truly hilarious, and builds into a greater part of the movies theme. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood basically asks questions about media violence, and so completely smashes any culpability/responsibility (though content) - it basically visually slaps around anyone who thinks media violence is responsible for anything in reality. And I Love It. But I'm digging deep here, intentionally, to attempt to get at some of the magic of this movie. There's a Lot going on here to be analyzed, thought about, enjoyed. Just like Brad Pitt's character who's stuntman presence is implied in the movies and TV shows, there is a lot of invisible content throughout this movie.
Including acting - And I think this might be Dicaprio's best movie. And I am a huge fan of his ever since Blood Diamond. Pitt is perfect in his role, but really? That role didn't require a ton of dynamic range. However, it shouldn't be devalued to be perfectly cast, and deliver a perfect performance. The point I really wanted to make about the acting is how complex it gets at times. More than once Dicaprio is acting in a scene about acting (generically speaking), while going through the mannerisms of an actor... all while in character. From both a direction, and acting perspective, you have to understand these moments so clearly yourself, but then also have to be on the same page as all the other creative performers on set for this to work. It's quite the dance, and watching these meta scenes is pure magic.
There's an old film making technique where you cast an average actor into a bit role opposite the lead, in order to make the lead actor's performance look better, and stand out. You see it a lot in 40's and 50's movies. You'll also see it in this film. I'm actually a big fan of the TV actor who played this small role, and it was nice to see him in this movie.
I've stressed a lot of the details, while leaving out the general nature of the movie - and perhaps that makes for an uncertain review. But don't get me wrong. Entertainment is in my opinion the first priority of film. Without which, any extra sauce might as well just be mayonnaise. And Once Upon a Time in Hollywood delivers fabulous entertainment. But it isn't (simply) a single viewing experience. It is a movie that holds up to multiple viewings, and (I would guess) will age very, very well... not unlike it's two leads.
9/10 but I'm not sure why I'm not giving it a 10/10 - if I figure that out, perhaps I'll revisit this review.