Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
February 12, 2020
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood takes you through Hollywood in 1969, focusing primarily on a has-been alcoholic Western movie star named Rick Dalton, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and Rick’s stunt-double, driver and friend Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt.
The storyline links Rick and Cliff’s friendship to the Manson family murders, which happened at the same time period the movie takes place. The actress and real-life victim Sharon Tate, played by Margot Robbie, and her husband Roman Polanski, who is barely shown in the movie, are next-door neighbors to Rick, who dreams of being cast in one of Polanski’s films.
Along with the well-developed plotline, the movie has many comedic scenes and components, and will most likely have you hysterically laughing by the end. The finale is arguably the most memorable and entertaining scene, where Tarantino twists history to give Sharon Tate the happy ending she never got.
Unlike in some of Tarantino’s other films, the action in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is mostly reserved for the violent ending, causing certain scenes to feel slow. However, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s creative storyline and humor make it a strong contender for Best Picture.
— Molly Litvak, Community Editor