Quentin Tarantino pays a heartfelt tribute to the 1960s Hollywood through Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The objective behind making this film is not to tell a particular story. The film is a cinematic representation or writ of the contemporary events happening during the 1960s. Vintage cars, neon-lit billboards, hoardings, signboards above the movie theaters, songs being played on radios were the major symbols of Hollywood’s golden era. Hollywood was one of the biggest sources and inspirations for pop-culture references. Hollywood was evolving from the Westerns to more modern and contemporary film ideas and stories. Bruce Lee became a huge star and had a larger than life image. Roman Polanski already made it big in Hollywood through Rosemary’s Baby, his wife Sharon Tate was a promising upcoming actress and being featured in comedy films, and Charles Manson became a cult leader, who along with his followers started getting involved in heinous crimes like murdering people.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is set in February 1969 and revolves around mainly two characters – Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Rick is a television actor famous for the 1950s Western television series Bounty Law and in the transition phase from television to the big screen. He has been suffering from bipolar disorder, which makes him cry and break down emotionally very often. Cliff is a World War-II veteran and currently works as Rick’s stunt double. There is a widely-circulated rumor that Cliff murdered his wife, because of which Cliff finds it difficult to get works in Hollywood. He is a calm and well-composed person. Rick and Cliff are superb buddies and as they refer to it, “More than friends and less than a wife”.
A Hollywood-based film agent Marvin Schwarz (Al Pacino) advises Rick, who is finding it difficult to make it to the big screen as Hollywood is evolving from the Westerns to the more contemporary stories, to visit Italy and be cast in Spaghetti Western films. Rick initially hesitates and does not consider it as a viable option to revive his career. Roman Polanski already made it big in Hollywood through Rosemary’s Baby, which was released in 1968, and is married to Hollywood’s new sensation Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who is being featured mostly in comedy films. The Polanskis have bought a house at 10050 Cielo Drive next to Rick’s house. Rick dreams of befriending Roman Polanski and being cast in his films.
While repairing Rick’s TV antenna, Cliff reminisces about his hand-to-hand combat with legendary Bruce Lee, who invited him for combat on the set of The Green Hornet and later on was defeated by Cliff. After Bruce’s loss in the combat, Cliff was laid off. Rick is cast in the Western television series Lancer, wherein he fumbles and cannot deliver his dialogue properly. Due to his bipolar disorder, he cries and breaks down but delivers a strong performance a little later. His eight-years-old colleague Trudi Fraser praises his performance and refers to it as the best piece of acting she has ever seen.
While driving Rick’s car, Cliff happens to meet a hippie girl named Pussycat on the street and takes her to the Spahn Ranch, which is famous for shooting Westerns. He notices many hippies residing in the ranch. The hippies are part of the infamous Manson Family. Suspecting that they are exploiting the ranch owner George Spahn, Cliff decides to meet him. Initially, he is not allowed to meet George but manages to meet him later on. One of the Manson Family members punctures the car’s tire but changes it after being beaten.
Rick visits Italy to be cast in a Spaghetti Western film Nebraska Jim directed by Sergio Corbucci. He is additionally offered two more films in Italy. Before returning to the USA, he marries an Italian actress named Francesca Capucci. He is over-burdened after the marriage and unable to afford Cliff’s services. On the evening of Aug 8, 1969, Rick and Cliff go out for a drink to reminisce about their time working together. On the same evening, Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring along with other friends go out for dinner and return to Tate’s house. A few members of the Manson Family plan to murder the Polanskis and arrive near Rick’s house. Rick is disturbed by the loud horn of the car and tells them to drive off. They recognize Rick and change the plan to murder him instead of the Polanskis. When they break into Rick’s house, they are counter-attacked and killed by Cliff, his dog Brandy, and Rick.
The only thing that is a little controversial in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is the portrayal of Martial Art Legend Bruce Lee. Many opine that Bruce Lee was a down to earth person and could never invite a stuntman for combat on a movie set. The film may appear to the viewers as a long and boring film but Tarantino does not want to unfold the events quite immediately. This happens when an artwork is born purely from the heart rather than a story-objected drama. This film is an ode to the lost era of Hollywood’s fairy tales. The director wants the viewers to be patient and experience a cinematic fairy tale. Stories will be unveiled when required with the passage of time. There is no hurry to witness a past golden era even though through the silver screen.
Even though Tarantino has woven this film with historical facts, he is in no mood to glorify a particular event. Sharon Tate’s murder is not shown on screen but the Manson family members are described. Many instances in the film are inspired by real-life events. A person in very close proximity to Hollywood’s golden age can make this film. So, in the truest sense, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood can be referred to as “Tarantinoesque”.
In spite of less dialogue and screen presence, Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate is vivacious, Lovable, and brilliant. She is able to portray the aura of the late actress, who was having a fairy tale life in Hollywood during that time. In a short role, Al Pacino makes his presence felt. Leonardo DiCaprio once again proves that he can enter a character’s body and soul effortlessly. He depicts Rick’s vulnerability and bipolar disorder extremely sensitively. Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth is brilliant too and sometimes appears to be the main character of the film. He delivers a well-measured and structured performance. Robert Richardson is a film veteran and his camera captures the nostalgia of 1960s Hollywood. One of the most dynamic aspects of the film is the cinematography. Richardson used a 35mm reel for the film. The scenes of Bounty Laws were shot on super 8mm and 16mm reels.
Barbara Ling deserves much applause as the production designer of the film. Bringing back the 1960s Hollywood is not an easy job. She redesigned the billboards, hoardings, and even changed the letters on the signboards to gain the highest level of authenticity. She and Tarantino had to wait for a long time to convince the owner of the Playboy Mansion for shooting the party scene. Barbara did a complete makeover of the Fox Bruin Theater, where Sharon goes to watch her film The Wrecking Crew. All the sets built for the film carry the nostalgic feel of Hollywood’s golden age. Costume designer Arianne Phillips could bring the retro look of the film through the dresses. She did a brilliant job too. Overall, this film belongs to Tarantino, who could traverse as much as possible down the memory lanes of Hollywood’s golden era.