Tarantino doing what Tarantino does

Rating: Null/10 (27 September 2019)

The ninth film from the legendary director Quentin Tarantino - depending on how you count them - and once again we're taken straight into the past, where everyone dresses cooler than you ever will, the music is better, everyone is suave like you wouldn't believe it, violence has a prominent place in society and everything just has that vibe to it.
In this particular instance we're in Hollywood. It's the end of the 60s. The hippie movement is going strong, westerns are slowly dying out, narcotics flow freely and there's something in the air. We follow three main characters. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a fading star of westerns. Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his stunt double with some questionable skills. And Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), Rick's neighbour, who's about the attract the attention of some real bad apples.
What separates this from previous Tarantino films is the lack of real plot. Sure, things happen and they even kind of connect in the end, but it's still a very meandering film. For example, pretty much all the Sharon Tate scenes have nothing to do with Rick and Cliff. Or if they do, it's very peripherally. They're still talking about the same city, the same era, the same business, even the same people, but from another perspective.
Personally I didn't mind. It's still the same quippy Tarantino stuff I've grown to love, but I can see how it can be a problem for some people.
And, truth be told, this is not the best film Tarantino has ever filmed. The lack of structure does mean that it doesn't quite have that edge some of his other films have. That being said, it's still miles and miles above almost anything else to have come out in recent years. It's violent, it's witty, it's cool. It has amazing characters, even better dialogues and some unbelievable scenes. The end fight scene might very well be one of the best Tarantino has ever filmed. If not the best. And that's saying something.
Do you like Tarantino? If yes, see the film. If not, it's not going to change your mind.