Tarantino's most polarizing movie

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 2020)

This movie was on my radar since it was announced. Having a talented filmmaker like Quentin Tarantino working with extraordinary talents such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie can make any Tarantino fan burst with excitement. However, this film will certainly divide audiences.
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood follows Rick Dalton and his best friend/stunt double Cliff Booth as they traverse through the fading golden era of Hollywood.
This is a film that will bring about a mixed reception amongst audiences. Tarantino fans who come to this film expecting an abundance of blood and gore may become disappointed due to the film's moderately slow pacing and lack of action. This is a film dedicated to 1960s Hollywood and is aimed at cinephiles rather than the average moviegoer but I feel many people, cinephile or not, will adore this movie.
This film put a huge smile on my face. As someone who loves cinema, it's great to see a film full of nostalgia from a creator that is clearly sharing his passion for films. What I love about Tarantino movies is the level of authenticity each film has in relation to their time period. The production design is fantastic. At no point does this film lose the 60s atmosphere. There are scenes where you see Pitt driving his car through the streets of LA and the sets look absolutely gorgeous. No wonder it won the Oscar for Best Production Design. We are also accompanied with Tarantino's exquisite dialogues. This is definitely one of Tarantino's funniest films. Apart from the humour, the characters are well written, especially Rick Dalton, which helped me be constantly invested throughout.
The technical aspects are great but the performances are a huge positive. After a gap of 4 years, DiCaprio is back and he shines in this film. His character goes through a variety of emotions and struggles with his fading stardom which DiCaprio effortlessly conveys. Brad Pitt plays a great contrast to DiCaprio's character and is, without a doubt, the fan favourite of the entire movie. Pitt's chemistry with DiCaprio is wonderful allowing both of them to be a very memorable part of the film. Despite her limited character, Robbie portrays Sharon Tate with utmost sincerity. The rest of the cast ranging from Pacino, Qualley and Fanning give great performances as well.
This movie is not going to be for everyone. The lack of an actual story may make people bored. Despite this, I loved the route Tarantino decided to take with a film like this. The slower pacing and character driven narrative made me never lose interest in what I was watching. The third act is especially entertaining as that's when old Tarantino kicks in. He certainly knows how to deliver a satisfying ending.
I really liked Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood. The movie looks stunning and Tarantino writes a screenplay filled with hilarious dialogues and memorable characters. The acting is exceptional and the 60s atmosphere the film gives off made me feel really happy.