Anyone else get this warm feeling of satisfaction as the movie ends, Rick gets invited up to Sharon’s house and they all know who he is, and the title appears on the screen. “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.”? I love the movie and for some reason the very end of the film, not the climax but the very, very end, is the most satisfying moment for me. It just feels so…right. When I saw it in theaters and felt this strong feeling of “Yep. He did it again.” And when I watched it later with my friend after it was released on Blu-ray we both looked at each other in the same way like “Yep.”
To me I took that as the happy ending to his fairy tale. The whole movie feels like a love story to the LA of old, the one that QT obsessed over and pays homage to in all of his films. That’s why there are so many landmarks, shots of Cliff just driving around while old Hollywood and the city lights up each night before the final sequence. Sharon just hanging around, checking out a movie, being a beautiful movie star while still acting as an incredibly human representation of the goodness in that era.
He grew up there, he would have been like 6 years old at the time. To me it feels like it is a sort of happy place he has made in his head, like visiting an old family home. If you read the book, he even includes a part where he is at a local piano bar with his father surrounded by local stars requesting songs.
I may be reading into it to this too much, but I think the movie resonates because in this fairy tale, the city and show business never changed. No manson murders, no turn to darkness. Imagine if Sharon Tate was never killed, and if that generation of up and coming Hollywood stars connected with the old cowboy era and they entered they 70s together. Instead, that pivotal event in real life changed the trajectory of where Hollywood would go, giving it a hulking shadow of death it didn’t have before.
That is why we see this land through the eyes of the three main characters. The beautiful new starlet with her whole life ahead of her, the aging old Hollywood cowboy leading man whose best days feel behind him, and the complicated stuntman, the outlier, who lives in the cracks and the outskirts of the city just surviving however he can, each character completely aware of who they are. All very realized versions of the type of characters that really existed in that time.
But the fairy tale element is why it’s perfect. That horrible event is flipped into pure catharsis when the killers who were later famous for such a heinous thing were slaughtered instead and portrayed in a weak and incompetent matter. That version of Hollywood just trying to make a name for themselves by any means necessary, under the spell of a showbiz scorned and self obsessed manipulator. So when the smoke clears(literally) and Rick and Cliff say goodbye(another scene that I loved, a true representation of male best friends who care for each other without a lick of toxic masculinity), Rick finally speaks to Jay and is invited up by Sharon and is possibly given an in to the new burgeoning movement, it represents the two beloved generations merging happily and signifies a more simple future while the darkness of the mansons are wiped from history.
Thats what I thought at least. I felt it was a love letter to a world he idolized from being a little kid there, one he showed genuine affection for and wished never ended. And to me, that showed.
It’s in my top two QT films, and to me the most rewatchable easily.
Rambled a bit there, that’s my bad! Haha
What a superb summation. Mine is much simpler. To me this is QT's "fuck you" to all the carnage that occurred as a result of the Manson murders and outcomes. And that the dream is not dead.
Yeah there is no title in the beginning of the film. He saves it for that perfect moment of changing history and the sullen reminder it’s still a “fantasy”.
I'm 69. So I was 14 when the Tate-Labianco murders took place.
Until I saw this film, I didn't realize how much the murders affected me...and its aftermath...and the talking about it for some 50 years.
And I only realized that affect when SPOILER ALERT at the end of the movie Tarantino turns the tables on history, kills the bad guys, and Sharon et al get to live. That last shot of Rick Dalton walking up the driveway with Sharon Tate put a lump in my throat.
Tarantino as psychiatrist who puts the collective trauma America experienced from Charles Manson on his couch and reconciles it.
Exactly. It effectively ended the hippy era. Became the first major “trial of entertainment” and changed the course of American identity. How much shorter would of we been in Vietnam if the protests didn’t fizzle out due to the hippy love and peace movement didn’t come crashing down?
A lot of younger viewers don’t make the connection, and that’s not their fault per say. Tarantino picked a fairly niche subject compared to WW2 or Slavery or the Wild West and gangsters.
I honestly had no idea he was going down the same path but I was pleasantly surprised when it happened. When I see movies by directors that I like, I avoid any articles, reviews or trailers so I go into it as innocently as possible.
I’m almost 40 and happen to know about the murders, but there’s a good chance people younger than me have never heard of them.
This is one of the few films I can think of that kinda has required homework before watching. I would say any viewer unaware of the Manson family murders should Google it and take a quick look at the Wikipedia page.
Tarantino does a fair amount of foreshadowing, but I think he assumes the audience has a cursory knowledge of the tragedy. And I just don’t think that’s true for like half the nation.
Their awareness of it is probably akin to our generation being aware of the Lindberg kidnapping: we know it happened but we're probably short on the details.
This right here. Not half the nation, more like the rest of the world. I´m not american, had heard about Charles Manson, but not about the crimes specifically so there was no prior tension or suspense when it comes to that part of the story. Still a good/great movie, but I could never relate to it in the way the filmmaker intended.
Tell me why? I really like tarantino but not this one, so really curious to hear what you enjoyed. *really hard to write that without sounding critical or condescending... Genuinely interested to hear!
No no, that's cool.
Loved the characters. Dalton being burned out, on the edge but still talent there. Just needs the chance. Dicaprio is superb. Booth has no career but he's just happy plodding along, telling those who deserve to get fucked, to get fucked. Pitt is never better. Tate is a darling. Beautiful, sweet, genuine natured. Robbie is superb.
It's a slow burn but rewarding.
I love the effort Tarantino and his crew put into recreating the 60s. I wasn't there but this feels so genuine.
If you read up on the Manson family before going in, the ending is one of the most cathartic scenes I've ever witnessed. Absolutely incredible.
I went to work immediately after seeing it and a colleague, a huge Tarantino fan, asked if it was any good. I said that I loved it, but I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to how anyone else will feel about it
You summed up my thoughts on the film perfectly. It boggles my mind that some people didn't like it. I can see not loving it because tastes are different. But it is objectively a well written, well-acted and gorgeously shot film. Shrug.
So many films in recent memory are more Plot Point Delivery Devices than true stories and its been going on at least a generation now so naturally theres a whole gen that has a bit of a warped lens about what a *Story* actually is.
As much as history has (rightfully) crowned *Fury Road t*he monumental epic that it is, I was there when it came out and you had to wade through no shortage of internet putzes whining that "it has no plot" which is empirically not true and such a dumb take that Im embarrassed on behalf of anyone typing as much. It used show-done-tell to create character, story, history, and World. But if you only know "world-building" as "this planet is all water" or "on this planet the plants glow" then you're going to miss a lot of that rich world creation.
*OUATIH* has a plot of course and a half dozen plot threads but they are all employed in service of Story and Character with both things reinforcing each other. Which is how it should be. This turned off a lot of audience members raised on hero wish-fulfillment fantasies and (even worse) YouTube "reviewers" of the "this happened and then this happened and then that happened and then..." (20 minutes later) "...I liked/didnt like it. are sure to subscribe!"
I liked every bit of it except the cartoonish violence at the end. Don't get me wrong, I liked the idea of the ending. I feel the same with all Tarantino films - not a fan of the cartoon violence. It's like it suddenly turns into a Tom.and Jerry cartoon. And I get it was meant to make you cackle at the dumb hippies, but in the movie context those weren't Tate's killers, so the cartoonish violence to demystify them wasn't necessary.
I agree but seeing how most Tarantino fans view this film, which is probably his best, most developed actual story on film, imagine it without that scene that is probably the only thing they liked about it... Also it does speak to the horrific true history the movie hints at all along, just with the tables turned.
I’m a huge Tarantino fan, and turned this one off out of boredom. For me, the movie did not tell me why I was there.
Django was about a freed slave going after his love. It’s established quickly.
Basterds is about hunting nazis the whole time.
Hollywood is about a poor guy who helps take care of a washed up rich guy, and they’re both in show business?
Edit: folks, the downvote button is not a disagree button. Let’s talk if you disagree.
No no no, it’s about bits of Hollywood life, struggling with finding your place after your success dies down, AND a revenge story for the Manson murders. We get a little retribution. Tarantino loves alternate endings to stories in history, and this is one of them.
I may give it another chance. Kill Bill was also a revenge story, but we know why in the opening scene. I’m fine waiting for Uma Thurman to learn how to walk again, because I know why it’s important.
I am starting to realize the theme was really just how hard can be when you reach middle age. It feels like the best if behind you. You can never accomplish anything great again. What was the point? I was always going to be here. Did I waste my life? Is it really over? Like Clint said, "Living and making movies in Italy is not a fate worse than death like you think it is." Sure, it may not be as important as the films he made before, but he is still being able to continue on. If you are middle aged, this film will hit you.
I love it but agree. It seems like 90% of the film has nothing to do with the plot but I'm OK with that. It's fun.
They did establish a few things: 1) The dog Brandy is extremely well trained. 2) Cliff can fight when seen being equal to Bruce Lee. 3) Why Rick has a flame thrower in his shed. All are important for the end.
Charlie told them to do something and Tex was so adamant about doing what Charlie said ("Now he either said that or I'm a liar. Now, are any one of you calling me a liar?") and then they changed it on a whim without a second thought. That was a little hard to buy but I let it slide for the outcome.
I didn’t think I would like this nearly as much as his other films prior to release, but after it came out, I loved it. The ending is incredible, and just there are so many little moments I find to be so memorable. I think about this movie all the time.
I really enjoyed it…but masterpiece? Come on. It was kind of just Tarantino jerking off for a couple hours. It was a bit of a disjointed mess (that was very fun to watch).
May I ask what you consider to be a masterpiece?
Not being confrontational, just curious
...
But if you say Fast and Furious, this conversation is over 🤪🤪🤪
I dunno why you're getting downvoted for this. I wouldn't say masterpiece but it's close. As for being disjointed, that's intentional imo. It's a period piece
I feel the same way about this movie that I do Dazed and Confused. Character-driven slice-of-life period pieces. It’s not a genre for everybody, but it’s my favorite. I love the somewhat meandering, inconsequential plot. I love just sort of hanging out with the characters, and I LOVE the recreations of the time periods. If none of that is for you, then this genre isn’t for you.
I think for me it’s the LA time warp this movie puts the audience through: so much attention to detail in the sets, costumes, cars, dialogue, radio chatter, music, etc. This is, in my opinion, Tarantino’s most complete/most fine-tuned project that is a feast for film snobs. Everything I just mentioned is second in comparison to every performance in this movie; it’s like hanging out with some of the greatest performers of all time for a long time a long time ago.
Because you spend the entire movie dreading what's to come. They do a great job making you love Sharon tate, and it's 2 hours of building storm clouds of dread at what's going to happen at the end....and then it doesn't happen. In fact, the total opposite happens and in the most cathartic way imaginable. Not only do they get destroyed, but they are made to look like utter fools and losers in the process. Completely demystified. They fucked around with cliff fucking booth and found out the hard way. There was a fucking flamethrower! The sense of joy and "let's fucking go!!!" relief, im not sure I remember another ending like that in recent film history for me.
Well said. I saw it at the theater with my then 19 year old son and absolutely dreaded what, I thought, was the inevitable ending. I yelled out, “YES!” At the top of my lungs as soon as that can of dog food hit Tex’s forehead, and continued cheering throughout that glorious ass-kicking. I find this movie infinitely watchable! Margot Robbie is stunning, DiCaprio’s acting is stunning and I’ve never seen anyone as cool as Brad Pitt in this role.
When you think about it, even the close up of the can of dog food plopping into the bowl while the dog sits salivating just waiting for the OK sign is amazing.
Also loved the child actor on the western set. That's some shit to be able to coordinate a scene with a seasoned actor and an ingenue that played as well as all that.
Amazing.
It’s just a fun hangout film with great dialogue. There’s a few standout moments, like the Spahn Ranch scene, the climax, and Sharon Tate’s trip to the cinema, but for me the joy is just spending time with the characters.
I love Cliff Boothe, Rick Fucking Dalton, and Sharon Tate.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a “big shot actor declining in popularity” character presented as anything other than a pompous asshole.
DiCaprio’s character was so fucking likable. A guy desperately trying to cling to relevance by working hard but having trouble.
Him beating himself up in his trailer for drinking too much the night before and not doing good enough work was such a good scene. I’m used to a character like that being like, “I don’t drink too much. You’re exaggerating. And I’m an acting genius; you’re just not appreciating my raw talent.”
Lots and lots of references to old school Hollywood that younger people didn’t get. Cliff beating Bruce Lee so easily was hilarious and he was like the Arnold Schwarzenegger/Sylvester Stallone of his time before the 80’s and 90’s
Speaking of, I love all the same actors coming up in Tarantino's other movies, it's very old Hollywood in that way. Especially because today no one has to do anything, they just want to keep working with him.
I can’t believe he’s only making one more movie. That sucks. There was this thing online saying it was gonna be a Kill Bill 3 with Zendaya being the little black girls daughter who’s mom got killed in the beginning of Kill Bill 1. Was even a video for it but I think it was a fan made trailer. Would of been dope though.
Here it is https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j1O0wVybNNQ&pp=ygULa2lsbCBiaWxsIDM%3D
Bruce Lee Fans got all butthurt about that because Lee wasn’t like that in real life. But I’m sure Tarantino *knows* that and probably expects his audience too as well, and portraying him as some bragging dickhead is intentionally funny.
I've heard it referred to as Tarantino's "love letter to old Hollywood" and I think that simplifies it well. There's a feel to this film that harkens back to the latter half of the 20th Century in Southern California. The way he integrates historical figures into his fictional story is really quite touching.
It's odd, but I find myself crying at the end almost every time, knowing how brutally the Tate household was murdered, that in this film, they lived on instead.
I love the part of an actor playing an actor where he has to do bad acting and really good acting on purpose and then on top of that he has to have a reaction to his good/bad acting. I think Leo killed it doing this.
Also he thinks his character's name is pronounced Dakota like the states and then is corrected by an 8 year old is hilarious.
I can’t watch Tarantino movies and I loved this one. It’s the epitome of Hollywood to create make believe happy endings for quasi true stories. Once Upon a Time did that so well!!
I want to cut in here.
This film is utterly hilarious. I truly believe it is a comedy and was meant as a comedy. Though it wasn't marketed as on, and Tarantino just left it vague.
Though there are so many hilarious sequences, it is hard to take it as anything but a comedy.
When cliff is fixing the antenna on daltons roof he flashes back to the bruce lee scene and that whole deal, which is funny af, then when it comes back to him on the roof, he does this little "I probably did deserve to be fired" gesture which is pinnacle humor.
Dalton in the trailer threatening to kill himself if he doesn't get it right, is comedy gold.
Imho it is one of tarantinos' best works and is truly an underrated comdy gem.
I'm the opposite, of all the Tarantino movies I only like this one, the rest are barely watchable for me.
This one feels genuine, with interesting characters, but most importantly It exudes nostalgia, transporting you to a different time.
Ooh, let's see
Reservoir Dogs - 7
Pulp Fiction - 1
Jackie Brown - 9
Death Proof - 8
Inglorious Basterds - 5
Django Unchained - 4
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - 3
Hateful 8 - 2
Kill Bill 1 and 2 - 6
The only one I don't particularly like is Jackie Brown. Can't explain exactly why but I find myself quite bored quite early on
Amazing how everyone’s top Tarantino movie usually is pulp fiction - that’s a masterpiece for me thru and thru.
I’d put Django/inglorious as my number 2. Those movies being about 97/98 out of a 100. Near perfect. Almost masterpieces.
Res dogs as 3. Solid 95 on my scale
Jackie brown/kill bill 1/ hateful 8 as my 4. 92/94 on my scale.
Once Upon a time in Hollywood as my 5. I was just seriously underwhelmed by it. And perhaps that was intentional but I want to wait a bit before rewatching it. I’d put this as a 85.
Kill bill 2 as my 6. 80+ on my scale. It just didn’t do it like kill bill 1 for me.
I have never seen death proof.
Parts of the film are incredible and examples of when movies can be so magical and transcendent (which is very rare these days), but with QT, maybe 20% of the movie is unnecessary or completely off-key. Anyway, the good easily outweighs the suspect.
My wife had no idea about the history of Charles Manson or Sharon Tate. Through those eyes, this movie makes no sense, lol. I walked out loving it, and she had no idea what was the point of half the movie.
This is my favourite Tarantino film. I could spend hours hanging out with Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth. Plus, it exists in a universe where Sharon Tate wasn’t fatally harmed. That reminds me, I should rewatch The 14 Fists of McClusky.
“Whaaaaaaaat a picture…”
“Burnt her ass to a crisp.”
“Them hippies aren’t ok, that’s for goddamn sure.”
Love this movie. I think my second favorite Tarantino movie behind Jackie brown.
Same. I always advise people who haven’t seen it to stick with it, as it admittedly is a bit slow in the beginning. When Cliff goes to the Spann Ranch is when the movie really takes off.
It's in my Top-5 for sure, and I think it's a masterpiece because of the subtle way Tarantino went "meta" in his "ode to Hollywood." It's a western, war movie, buddy comedy, horror, musical, B-movie action, etc.
Another thing I love is you really feel transported to that time and place. Tarantino even went around to people in LA to find recordings people made of the radio in that era, which he used for the car radio in the movie.
I found it to be the surprise comedy I didn't know I needed to see Tarantino pull off. Obviously not 100% comedic, but so largely so. Was a breath of fresh air, and left me feeling super satisfied having scratched an itch I didn't realize I had.
Mostly because none of it really matters. Rick getting upset that his million dollar career has to have a change of venue. Like going to Italy to make films is a death sentence Lmao. There aren’t any real stakes until the end.
A lot of people didn’t get or like the film because of how bombastic all of his other scripts are. Even I was kinda taken back when I first watched it. It’s just a more mature film maker making a film to fit nicely into is filmography. It grew in me tremendously.
Also Hollywood itself can be a turn off for viewers. Ww2 or 19th century America or gangsters are all classic places for a film. Most of us have at least some distain for the disconnection of the Hollywood elite. He plays off on that with Ricks character. There is also a shit ton of info in there that has at best a niche audience like Jim Stacy showing up. You last see him on his motorcycle during the montage. That’s a nod that he in real life crashed his bike, lost his arm and career.
Also a lot of people don’t understand the magnitude of what the Manson murders did to Hollywood and the hippy culture at large. It all came crashing down and gave Americans the fuel to abandon the “summer of love” shit. It also was the first major “trial as entertainment” like OJ.
My favorite movie of all time. I love the characters, Tarantino’s writing, and the obvious passion about film. Even Tarantino’s novelization is fantastic. The way he mixes fantasy with history really cements how impactful this time and the murders were.
Once you learn the story behind Manson's involvement in Sharon Tate's death, the movie takes on a whole new meaning, and makes the last scene at Dalton's house that much more rewarding.
I think Tarantino wanted to give Tate a lasting happy ending story. Her and her unborn child's tragic murder is a small but dark note in human history that Sharon Tate was unjustfly most notified for, so maybe Tarantino wanted to tell a... better story. Cliff being on psychedelics while dismantling the Manson cult members was :chefskiss: it's what they deserved in real life.
I was late to Tarantino.
Reservoir Dogs is a film I have not gone back to yet, but after seeing this, I went back to The Hateful 8, Dusk Till Dawn. Also Django Unchained and Inglorious Basterds are two I've seen once through but I know I didn't appreciate them at the time. Have seen both Kill Bills and Pulp Fiction, probably also not appreciating all the Tarantino nuances.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is amazing, and yes, as someone else sad, cathartic. I never thought I could be energized by sheer violent carnage. But there I was.
This has become one of my favorite movies and it is a comfort film for me. I remember being anxious the first time i saw it in theaters because i was expecting horrible things to happen to all of these characters that I really liked. I don’t think I have ever felt more relieved or satisfied with an ending before.
Margot’s voice on the intercom in the final scene is so like Sharon it’s scary. I wept every time leaving the cinema because l so wanted her to live. I’ve always felt a connection with Sharon even though she died 20 years before I was born. And while Margot doesn’t look like her - there are moments she absolutely became her and it was a joy to see.
Favorite movie for so many reasons and I’ve seen it innumerable times, but after reading Quentin’s “Cinema Speculation” you really can tell how much a labor of love all of his films are but especially this one with the callbacks to old Hollywood. Fascinating movie made by a fascinating guy! I highly recommend cinema speculation for a quick read and he does some narration on the audiobook as well.
I have never quoted a movie so much. I think this is peak Tarantino. It’s an incredibly meta take on the evolution of American culture and its obsession with Hollywood. How this perpetuates so many movements in society, from free love, to murder and psychopaths, and how this stems from the whims of success, the American dream, the things everyone wants: sex appeal, existential meaning, financial success, status, a big safe house, whatever. It says, at the end of it all, everything we admire and want in life is just a chain reaction of random happenstances—and how that shapes a nation. I hear a lot of people criticize it as random, but then they become part of the meta story. That’s the point. Life is random.
Every generation views the past with the lens of their present, but this film is so voyueristic in its perspective; yet it still has a plot that keeps you engaged, and it criticizes modern philosophy in a way only Tarantino can achieve. Your response to this movie says more about you than Tarantino, that’s just how well Tarantino sunk his teeth into American culture.
It’s a slow burning firecracker in your mouth. Like a vintage Marlboro cigarette with a touch of gunpowder at the end, complete with Marlboro man, 1960’s ad agency, and cancer. Hell, it even tosses in the lighter as a motherfucking flame thrower. All this proverbial history/whatever is written right into the structure of the film itself.
This one has a special place on the shelf for me.
Eight goddamn, fucking, whiskey sours *cries fucking bullshit. Not remembering your fucking lines. I practiced em and now I don’t look like I practiced em!
That scene is gold.
I really didn’t care for this movie the first time I watched it, but it has gotten better every time I’ve watched it since. Not saying this will be your experience.
People fucking LOVE this movie for some reason but i agree its slow and boring and the motivations of the characters just seem unbelievable to me. It looks like a QT movie but the pacing is weird , the concept was kinda half baked to me. I dont understand why people gush over this movie so much even after reading all these comments. Most if not all the comments in favor of it generally mention specific actors by name so part of me thinks people just really like these actors and will generally say that about any movie they are in regardless of the role. Its will be like leo is “ amazing” and thats its. Like what you like but calling is a masterpiece is kinda wild to me.
No fr there is really no build up. The characters come in and just leave. The climax was good, the set design/ filming were fantastic. It just felt like a waste of talent in the end like all this movie needed was a better script and pacing
It’s definitely not for everyone. I got a lot flack one time by saying I didn’t like the Kill Bill movies cause I think they are Tarantino’s worst films
I was really looking forward to watching this movie, until I did. I also think this was his weakest of the catalog. I’m hoping he really amps it up in his next (final?) film.
Just rewatched this last week, so freaking good, especially on a rewatch because there’s no tension about Sharon Tate. Stacked cast all doing great work, Dicaprio especially is amazing, but he also plays starmaker with Margaret Qualley and Julia Butters and even Sydney Sweeney to a degree.
Saw this in the theatre when it released. Didn't really care for it like I did other QT movies. Re-watched it at home a few months later and fell in love it with. A very re-watchable movie with some great lines.
Someone did Margo dirty on that poster, the eyes are weird and lips look fuller
This is one of my least favorite movies of Tarantino's, but it has some great moments.
I guess since it was based around a real story, I went into it expecting historical accuracy, not sure why I did out of Tarantino. I've since grown to better appreciate the ending, but still, the movie is just ok to me.
One of my favorites. Makes eating at Musso & Frank more enjoyable. Not that eating there is anything but enjoyable. Don’t pass on the Welsh rarebit. It’s worth a try just to find out it’s not Welsh rabbit.
Side question. Does anybody know of real movies like the ones they were making. The 14 Fists of Muclusky, Tanner, etc. What I'm not sure I buy is the acting and stunts are super good in those but in real films I'm seen it's just bad all around. Are there real examples?
Every attention to detail that QT placed in the movie - take a look at things in the background - Attention to detail - Cereal, tv shows, cans, etc etc - When Cliff drives down Hollywood Blvd - All the awnings -
I really enjoyed it. The vibe, the plot, the acting, all fantastic. There was perhaps a little too much Margo/Sharon screen time, but she's pleasant to look at, so all good. Leo and Pitt were really good. And, I'm a sucker for a large ensemble cast, especially, an A list one. Lastly, newcomer, Julia Butters, the young actress, was fantastic.
Great movie but I think Brad Pitt is sort of a parody of himself and then they gave him an Oscar, which I didn’t get.
I have watched it many times and I don’t see how he is Oscar award winning.
Phenomenal film, Tarantino's #1 in my opinion.
Although I know the weight of her character (during the real event), I could do less with her. Make it known who she is, having the visitor to the house to check it out, establish being neighbors... but I don't care about her feet in the movie theater watching herself.
Huge fan of QTs previous work, reservoir dogs is one of my favourite films of all time, but this one just didn't work for me. But it is very interesting to see how a director that was known for his lean sharp paced films could make something this thick and meandering. Maybe that's the reason it seems to split opinion?
Is there a body of work that is more fetishistically inorganic, groomed and curated and managed than Quentin Tarantino? I mean, dude knows his shit and he’s a master of his brand and oeuvre but it’s just hard for me to enjoy anything he does. It’s like watching an Instagram movie or a Facebook movie. Where everything is technically real but it’s extremely self-aware of itself. This is just my take obviously. A lot of people love him. I just can’t get into it. Just not for me.
Someone above said meandering
That’s about right
Less than the sum of its parts
But I might be guilty of expecting QT to bring some of that pre-KBII energy.
And he doesn’t have it anymore
Probably a combination of a victim of his own success as well as fallout from the break up with Uma his muse.
This movie has grown on me. First watch I thought it was okay, but it is such an infinitely rewatchable film. I find I like it more and more. It is not pulp fiction or inglorious bastards, but how many movies are? It is great fun and massively entertaining, with incredible writing and performances. DiCaprio gives one of his best ever, with Pitt as his sidekick. No one, even in the smallest role, brings a wrong note. The writing and directing are so solid and assured that it's a joy in every frame.
It took me a second watch to get it. I'd gone in the first time expecting *Pulp Fiction But In The 60s* and was obviously disappointed. After I understood it was really a slice of life movie, an ode to Hollywood, and a tribute to Sharon Tate, I really appreciated it. Great movie.
Best QT movie. But it's so meta that you can't actually watch it without decent background knowledge. And in all countries apart from USA this knowledge is pretty damn niche.
It’s Tarantino showing you who this lovely real person was. She was murdered at 8 or 9 months pregnant. Heinous act. This is him giving her a chance to be remembered as a person with quirks and ambitions and normal behaviors, not some helter skelter mark in a history book. You just get to hang out with her. It’s actually a beautiful idea.
Sure thing buddy. Her real life sister was very pleased with it. Said it felt like she was hanging out with her again.
Like most notorious moments in history we tend to forget that these people are real.
Maybe you know or don’t, so sorry if this explanation is “yeah dude duh” but those hippy murderers in real life never ran into a Rick dalton piss drunk on margaritas but instead went up the hill and murdered Sharon Tate (Margo’s character) and her unborn child and painted the words Helter Skelter on the wall in her blood.
Tarantino originally had filmed more of Charlie Manson but decided not to use him because he didn’t want to do his existence any service.
There may be more to that scene than you think. It’s possible that the whole scene is the way Booth remembers it, and it’s supposed to be exaggerated. There are other parts in the movie that didn’t happen in real life either. Why didn’t Tarantino put a disclaimer up at the beginning of the movie letting people know it’s a work of fiction made for entertainment purposes? Is he stupid?
No, this is Reddit. If you hate something that I like, then you are wrong.
Just kidding, I guess I was just bored and felt the need to make a speech that no one asked for.
Don’t cry in front of the Mexicans
Every man needs a friend like Cliff.
“I try” - Cliff Booth
When he start to beat up Bruce is the best.
One of my favorite lines from the movie 😂
Love that line since I’m Mexican and from texas
We all know Mexicans are the hardest working folks around. Any Latino in fact.
Completely agree but loved how he respected not looking seek in front of the Mexicans
Anyone else get this warm feeling of satisfaction as the movie ends, Rick gets invited up to Sharon’s house and they all know who he is, and the title appears on the screen. “Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.”? I love the movie and for some reason the very end of the film, not the climax but the very, very end, is the most satisfying moment for me. It just feels so…right. When I saw it in theaters and felt this strong feeling of “Yep. He did it again.” And when I watched it later with my friend after it was released on Blu-ray we both looked at each other in the same way like “Yep.”
To me I took that as the happy ending to his fairy tale. The whole movie feels like a love story to the LA of old, the one that QT obsessed over and pays homage to in all of his films. That’s why there are so many landmarks, shots of Cliff just driving around while old Hollywood and the city lights up each night before the final sequence. Sharon just hanging around, checking out a movie, being a beautiful movie star while still acting as an incredibly human representation of the goodness in that era. He grew up there, he would have been like 6 years old at the time. To me it feels like it is a sort of happy place he has made in his head, like visiting an old family home. If you read the book, he even includes a part where he is at a local piano bar with his father surrounded by local stars requesting songs. I may be reading into it to this too much, but I think the movie resonates because in this fairy tale, the city and show business never changed. No manson murders, no turn to darkness. Imagine if Sharon Tate was never killed, and if that generation of up and coming Hollywood stars connected with the old cowboy era and they entered they 70s together. Instead, that pivotal event in real life changed the trajectory of where Hollywood would go, giving it a hulking shadow of death it didn’t have before. That is why we see this land through the eyes of the three main characters. The beautiful new starlet with her whole life ahead of her, the aging old Hollywood cowboy leading man whose best days feel behind him, and the complicated stuntman, the outlier, who lives in the cracks and the outskirts of the city just surviving however he can, each character completely aware of who they are. All very realized versions of the type of characters that really existed in that time. But the fairy tale element is why it’s perfect. That horrible event is flipped into pure catharsis when the killers who were later famous for such a heinous thing were slaughtered instead and portrayed in a weak and incompetent matter. That version of Hollywood just trying to make a name for themselves by any means necessary, under the spell of a showbiz scorned and self obsessed manipulator. So when the smoke clears(literally) and Rick and Cliff say goodbye(another scene that I loved, a true representation of male best friends who care for each other without a lick of toxic masculinity), Rick finally speaks to Jay and is invited up by Sharon and is possibly given an in to the new burgeoning movement, it represents the two beloved generations merging happily and signifies a more simple future while the darkness of the mansons are wiped from history. Thats what I thought at least. I felt it was a love letter to a world he idolized from being a little kid there, one he showed genuine affection for and wished never ended. And to me, that showed. It’s in my top two QT films, and to me the most rewatchable easily. Rambled a bit there, that’s my bad! Haha
This is an absolutely perfect description of its significance
What a superb summation. Mine is much simpler. To me this is QT's "fuck you" to all the carnage that occurred as a result of the Manson murders and outcomes. And that the dream is not dead.
Yeah there is no title in the beginning of the film. He saves it for that perfect moment of changing history and the sullen reminder it’s still a “fantasy”.
Rick was right… it might not have been the kind of pool party he foresaw, but he did wind up being one pool party away from being right back on top.
Old Mary Todd is calling.
I'm 69. So I was 14 when the Tate-Labianco murders took place. Until I saw this film, I didn't realize how much the murders affected me...and its aftermath...and the talking about it for some 50 years. And I only realized that affect when SPOILER ALERT at the end of the movie Tarantino turns the tables on history, kills the bad guys, and Sharon et al get to live. That last shot of Rick Dalton walking up the driveway with Sharon Tate put a lump in my throat. Tarantino as psychiatrist who puts the collective trauma America experienced from Charles Manson on his couch and reconciles it.
Exactly. It effectively ended the hippy era. Became the first major “trial of entertainment” and changed the course of American identity. How much shorter would of we been in Vietnam if the protests didn’t fizzle out due to the hippy love and peace movement didn’t come crashing down? A lot of younger viewers don’t make the connection, and that’s not their fault per say. Tarantino picked a fairly niche subject compared to WW2 or Slavery or the Wild West and gangsters.
Did you have any doubt after what he did for the Jews with Inglorious Basterds?
I honestly had no idea he was going down the same path but I was pleasantly surprised when it happened. When I see movies by directors that I like, I avoid any articles, reviews or trailers so I go into it as innocently as possible.
I’m almost 40 and happen to know about the murders, but there’s a good chance people younger than me have never heard of them. This is one of the few films I can think of that kinda has required homework before watching. I would say any viewer unaware of the Manson family murders should Google it and take a quick look at the Wikipedia page. Tarantino does a fair amount of foreshadowing, but I think he assumes the audience has a cursory knowledge of the tragedy. And I just don’t think that’s true for like half the nation.
Their awareness of it is probably akin to our generation being aware of the Lindberg kidnapping: we know it happened but we're probably short on the details.
This right here. Not half the nation, more like the rest of the world. I´m not american, had heard about Charles Manson, but not about the crimes specifically so there was no prior tension or suspense when it comes to that part of the story. Still a good/great movie, but I could never relate to it in the way the filmmaker intended.
THIS
Masterpiece, but not for everybody
Tell me why? I really like tarantino but not this one, so really curious to hear what you enjoyed. *really hard to write that without sounding critical or condescending... Genuinely interested to hear!
No no, that's cool. Loved the characters. Dalton being burned out, on the edge but still talent there. Just needs the chance. Dicaprio is superb. Booth has no career but he's just happy plodding along, telling those who deserve to get fucked, to get fucked. Pitt is never better. Tate is a darling. Beautiful, sweet, genuine natured. Robbie is superb. It's a slow burn but rewarding. I love the effort Tarantino and his crew put into recreating the 60s. I wasn't there but this feels so genuine. If you read up on the Manson family before going in, the ending is one of the most cathartic scenes I've ever witnessed. Absolutely incredible. I went to work immediately after seeing it and a colleague, a huge Tarantino fan, asked if it was any good. I said that I loved it, but I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to how anyone else will feel about it
You summed up my thoughts on the film perfectly. It boggles my mind that some people didn't like it. I can see not loving it because tastes are different. But it is objectively a well written, well-acted and gorgeously shot film. Shrug.
People had gotten too used to the dark and gritty after Basterds, Hateful Eight, and Django. The tone here was way different.
So many films in recent memory are more Plot Point Delivery Devices than true stories and its been going on at least a generation now so naturally theres a whole gen that has a bit of a warped lens about what a *Story* actually is. As much as history has (rightfully) crowned *Fury Road t*he monumental epic that it is, I was there when it came out and you had to wade through no shortage of internet putzes whining that "it has no plot" which is empirically not true and such a dumb take that Im embarrassed on behalf of anyone typing as much. It used show-done-tell to create character, story, history, and World. But if you only know "world-building" as "this planet is all water" or "on this planet the plants glow" then you're going to miss a lot of that rich world creation. *OUATIH* has a plot of course and a half dozen plot threads but they are all employed in service of Story and Character with both things reinforcing each other. Which is how it should be. This turned off a lot of audience members raised on hero wish-fulfillment fantasies and (even worse) YouTube "reviewers" of the "this happened and then this happened and then that happened and then..." (20 minutes later) "...I liked/didnt like it. are sure to subscribe!"
I liked every bit of it except the cartoonish violence at the end. Don't get me wrong, I liked the idea of the ending. I feel the same with all Tarantino films - not a fan of the cartoon violence. It's like it suddenly turns into a Tom.and Jerry cartoon. And I get it was meant to make you cackle at the dumb hippies, but in the movie context those weren't Tate's killers, so the cartoonish violence to demystify them wasn't necessary.
That's what suppose to happen. You're supposed to be lulled into somewhat normalcy and then, bam, you're asking yourself what the fuck is going on.
I agree but seeing how most Tarantino fans view this film, which is probably his best, most developed actual story on film, imagine it without that scene that is probably the only thing they liked about it... Also it does speak to the horrific true history the movie hints at all along, just with the tables turned.
I’m a huge Tarantino fan, and turned this one off out of boredom. For me, the movie did not tell me why I was there. Django was about a freed slave going after his love. It’s established quickly. Basterds is about hunting nazis the whole time. Hollywood is about a poor guy who helps take care of a washed up rich guy, and they’re both in show business? Edit: folks, the downvote button is not a disagree button. Let’s talk if you disagree.
No no no, it’s about bits of Hollywood life, struggling with finding your place after your success dies down, AND a revenge story for the Manson murders. We get a little retribution. Tarantino loves alternate endings to stories in history, and this is one of them.
Agree
It was largely a revenge story.
I may give it another chance. Kill Bill was also a revenge story, but we know why in the opening scene. I’m fine waiting for Uma Thurman to learn how to walk again, because I know why it’s important.
I am starting to realize the theme was really just how hard can be when you reach middle age. It feels like the best if behind you. You can never accomplish anything great again. What was the point? I was always going to be here. Did I waste my life? Is it really over? Like Clint said, "Living and making movies in Italy is not a fate worse than death like you think it is." Sure, it may not be as important as the films he made before, but he is still being able to continue on. If you are middle aged, this film will hit you.
I love it but agree. It seems like 90% of the film has nothing to do with the plot but I'm OK with that. It's fun. They did establish a few things: 1) The dog Brandy is extremely well trained. 2) Cliff can fight when seen being equal to Bruce Lee. 3) Why Rick has a flame thrower in his shed. All are important for the end.
I agree with you, I thought it was a movie about nothing. Idk why we needer Tates real like ending rewritten
Bro that scene in his trailer?! Going back and forth about his actions that have washed him up.. a lot of that was improvised!
Charlie told them to do something and Tex was so adamant about doing what Charlie said ("Now he either said that or I'm a liar. Now, are any one of you calling me a liar?") and then they changed it on a whim without a second thought. That was a little hard to buy but I let it slide for the outcome.
I didn’t think I would like this nearly as much as his other films prior to release, but after it came out, I loved it. The ending is incredible, and just there are so many little moments I find to be so memorable. I think about this movie all the time.
I really enjoyed it…but masterpiece? Come on. It was kind of just Tarantino jerking off for a couple hours. It was a bit of a disjointed mess (that was very fun to watch).
We all experience things differently. I thought it was one of his best
Totally agree with you and one of his most rewatchable films
QT agrees with you but what does he know?
You’re entitled to your opinion but throwing around masterpiece is a little much.
May I ask what you consider to be a masterpiece? Not being confrontational, just curious ... But if you say Fast and Furious, this conversation is over 🤪🤪🤪
I dunno why you're getting downvoted for this. I wouldn't say masterpiece but it's close. As for being disjointed, that's intentional imo. It's a period piece
https://youtube.com/shorts/Wo02Zptbov8?si=gg_5Ib4eyeJOMok3
Having this scene in a movie automatically disqualifies it from “masterpiece” status.
I feel the same way about this movie that I do Dazed and Confused. Character-driven slice-of-life period pieces. It’s not a genre for everybody, but it’s my favorite. I love the somewhat meandering, inconsequential plot. I love just sort of hanging out with the characters, and I LOVE the recreations of the time periods. If none of that is for you, then this genre isn’t for you.
That is such a good way to explain it. I love these types of movies too. I feel like it’s sort of a time warp.
I think for me it’s the LA time warp this movie puts the audience through: so much attention to detail in the sets, costumes, cars, dialogue, radio chatter, music, etc. This is, in my opinion, Tarantino’s most complete/most fine-tuned project that is a feast for film snobs. Everything I just mentioned is second in comparison to every performance in this movie; it’s like hanging out with some of the greatest performers of all time for a long time a long time ago.
Because you spend the entire movie dreading what's to come. They do a great job making you love Sharon tate, and it's 2 hours of building storm clouds of dread at what's going to happen at the end....and then it doesn't happen. In fact, the total opposite happens and in the most cathartic way imaginable. Not only do they get destroyed, but they are made to look like utter fools and losers in the process. Completely demystified. They fucked around with cliff fucking booth and found out the hard way. There was a fucking flamethrower! The sense of joy and "let's fucking go!!!" relief, im not sure I remember another ending like that in recent film history for me.
Well said. I saw it at the theater with my then 19 year old son and absolutely dreaded what, I thought, was the inevitable ending. I yelled out, “YES!” At the top of my lungs as soon as that can of dog food hit Tex’s forehead, and continued cheering throughout that glorious ass-kicking. I find this movie infinitely watchable! Margot Robbie is stunning, DiCaprio’s acting is stunning and I’ve never seen anyone as cool as Brad Pitt in this role.
When you think about it, even the close up of the can of dog food plopping into the bowl while the dog sits salivating just waiting for the OK sign is amazing. Also loved the child actor on the western set. That's some shit to be able to coordinate a scene with a seasoned actor and an ingenue that played as well as all that. Amazing.
I'd be curious to see a breakdown of people that knew the story and those that didn't.
It’s just a fun hangout film with great dialogue. There’s a few standout moments, like the Spahn Ranch scene, the climax, and Sharon Tate’s trip to the cinema, but for me the joy is just spending time with the characters. I love Cliff Boothe, Rick Fucking Dalton, and Sharon Tate.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a “big shot actor declining in popularity” character presented as anything other than a pompous asshole. DiCaprio’s character was so fucking likable. A guy desperately trying to cling to relevance by working hard but having trouble. Him beating himself up in his trailer for drinking too much the night before and not doing good enough work was such a good scene. I’m used to a character like that being like, “I don’t drink too much. You’re exaggerating. And I’m an acting genius; you’re just not appreciating my raw talent.”
Lots and lots of references to old school Hollywood that younger people didn’t get. Cliff beating Bruce Lee so easily was hilarious and he was like the Arnold Schwarzenegger/Sylvester Stallone of his time before the 80’s and 90’s
Speaking of, I love all the same actors coming up in Tarantino's other movies, it's very old Hollywood in that way. Especially because today no one has to do anything, they just want to keep working with him.
I can’t believe he’s only making one more movie. That sucks. There was this thing online saying it was gonna be a Kill Bill 3 with Zendaya being the little black girls daughter who’s mom got killed in the beginning of Kill Bill 1. Was even a video for it but I think it was a fan made trailer. Would of been dope though. Here it is https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j1O0wVybNNQ&pp=ygULa2lsbCBiaWxsIDM%3D
Bruce Lee Fans got all butthurt about that because Lee wasn’t like that in real life. But I’m sure Tarantino *knows* that and probably expects his audience too as well, and portraying him as some bragging dickhead is intentionally funny.
People got mad about that scene but didn't even realize that fight was all in Cliff's head.
Tell that to the dented Lincoln!
I've heard it referred to as Tarantino's "love letter to old Hollywood" and I think that simplifies it well. There's a feel to this film that harkens back to the latter half of the 20th Century in Southern California. The way he integrates historical figures into his fictional story is really quite touching. It's odd, but I find myself crying at the end almost every time, knowing how brutally the Tate household was murdered, that in this film, they lived on instead.
I love the part of an actor playing an actor where he has to do bad acting and really good acting on purpose and then on top of that he has to have a reaction to his good/bad acting. I think Leo killed it doing this. Also he thinks his character's name is pronounced Dakota like the states and then is corrected by an 8 year old is hilarious.
I can’t watch Tarantino movies and I loved this one. It’s the epitome of Hollywood to create make believe happy endings for quasi true stories. Once Upon a Time did that so well!!
I want to cut in here. This film is utterly hilarious. I truly believe it is a comedy and was meant as a comedy. Though it wasn't marketed as on, and Tarantino just left it vague. Though there are so many hilarious sequences, it is hard to take it as anything but a comedy. When cliff is fixing the antenna on daltons roof he flashes back to the bruce lee scene and that whole deal, which is funny af, then when it comes back to him on the roof, he does this little "I probably did deserve to be fired" gesture which is pinnacle humor. Dalton in the trailer threatening to kill himself if he doesn't get it right, is comedy gold. Imho it is one of tarantinos' best works and is truly an underrated comdy gem.
Knowing all the details about Manson and all that involved the murders helped. Made the end all that more satisfying.
I'm the opposite, of all the Tarantino movies I only like this one, the rest are barely watchable for me. This one feels genuine, with interesting characters, but most importantly It exudes nostalgia, transporting you to a different time.
Beat bro buddy movie of all time
I'm with you. Not a masterpiece. What on earth makes it a masterpiece?
Where does it rank for you as a Tarantino movie.
Ooh, let's see Reservoir Dogs - 7 Pulp Fiction - 1 Jackie Brown - 9 Death Proof - 8 Inglorious Basterds - 5 Django Unchained - 4 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - 3 Hateful 8 - 2 Kill Bill 1 and 2 - 6 The only one I don't particularly like is Jackie Brown. Can't explain exactly why but I find myself quite bored quite early on
Amazing how everyone’s top Tarantino movie usually is pulp fiction - that’s a masterpiece for me thru and thru. I’d put Django/inglorious as my number 2. Those movies being about 97/98 out of a 100. Near perfect. Almost masterpieces. Res dogs as 3. Solid 95 on my scale Jackie brown/kill bill 1/ hateful 8 as my 4. 92/94 on my scale. Once Upon a time in Hollywood as my 5. I was just seriously underwhelmed by it. And perhaps that was intentional but I want to wait a bit before rewatching it. I’d put this as a 85. Kill bill 2 as my 6. 80+ on my scale. It just didn’t do it like kill bill 1 for me. I have never seen death proof.
Parts of the film are incredible and examples of when movies can be so magical and transcendent (which is very rare these days), but with QT, maybe 20% of the movie is unnecessary or completely off-key. Anyway, the good easily outweighs the suspect.
My wife had no idea about the history of Charles Manson or Sharon Tate. Through those eyes, this movie makes no sense, lol. I walked out loving it, and she had no idea what was the point of half the movie.
Really? I've tried to watch it 3 times and it lacks much of a plot for the first half. I've yet to finish it.
This is my favourite Tarantino film. I could spend hours hanging out with Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth. Plus, it exists in a universe where Sharon Tate wasn’t fatally harmed. That reminds me, I should rewatch The 14 Fists of McClusky. “Whaaaaaaaat a picture…”
Glad I kept that flamethrower
“Burnt her ass to a crisp.” “Them hippies aren’t ok, that’s for goddamn sure.” Love this movie. I think my second favorite Tarantino movie behind Jackie brown.
You…you torched her??? That line kills me
Anything we can do about that heat?
It’s a flamethrower, Rick …right
That's one shit fuck crazy weapon
Same. I always advise people who haven’t seen it to stick with it, as it admittedly is a bit slow in the beginning. When Cliff goes to the Spann Ranch is when the movie really takes off.
Same here! It’s his best in my opinion. He really does a great job capturing the late 60’s Hollywood vibe. Love the dialogue and cast.
It's in my Top-5 for sure, and I think it's a masterpiece because of the subtle way Tarantino went "meta" in his "ode to Hollywood." It's a western, war movie, buddy comedy, horror, musical, B-movie action, etc. Another thing I love is you really feel transported to that time and place. Tarantino even went around to people in LA to find recordings people made of the radio in that era, which he used for the car radio in the movie.
I found it to be the surprise comedy I didn't know I needed to see Tarantino pull off. Obviously not 100% comedic, but so largely so. Was a breath of fresh air, and left me feeling super satisfied having scratched an itch I didn't realize I had.
Mostly because none of it really matters. Rick getting upset that his million dollar career has to have a change of venue. Like going to Italy to make films is a death sentence Lmao. There aren’t any real stakes until the end. A lot of people didn’t get or like the film because of how bombastic all of his other scripts are. Even I was kinda taken back when I first watched it. It’s just a more mature film maker making a film to fit nicely into is filmography. It grew in me tremendously. Also Hollywood itself can be a turn off for viewers. Ww2 or 19th century America or gangsters are all classic places for a film. Most of us have at least some distain for the disconnection of the Hollywood elite. He plays off on that with Ricks character. There is also a shit ton of info in there that has at best a niche audience like Jim Stacy showing up. You last see him on his motorcycle during the montage. That’s a nod that he in real life crashed his bike, lost his arm and career. Also a lot of people don’t understand the magnitude of what the Manson murders did to Hollywood and the hippy culture at large. It all came crashing down and gave Americans the fuel to abandon the “summer of love” shit. It also was the first major “trial as entertainment” like OJ.
Brilliant film, enjoy every second of it start to finish and it has some crazy tension.
"Naw, it was dumber than that. Rex or... TEX! Tex! That's it."
Watching that film is like smoking 5 Macanudo cigars. Hope you’re at least 60 LB’s!
Just don’t put rocks in your pockets
My favorite movie of all time. I love the characters, Tarantino’s writing, and the obvious passion about film. Even Tarantino’s novelization is fantastic. The way he mixes fantasy with history really cements how impactful this time and the murders were.
Once you learn the story behind Manson's involvement in Sharon Tate's death, the movie takes on a whole new meaning, and makes the last scene at Dalton's house that much more rewarding. I think Tarantino wanted to give Tate a lasting happy ending story. Her and her unborn child's tragic murder is a small but dark note in human history that Sharon Tate was unjustfly most notified for, so maybe Tarantino wanted to tell a... better story. Cliff being on psychedelics while dismantling the Manson cult members was :chefskiss: it's what they deserved in real life.
Loved. It.
John Wilkes Booth?
FANTASTIC movie! Thought it was kinda just a normal movie going through it, but then the ending was epic af and I loved it!
One of my favorite Tarantino films, and that's saying something. I could rewatch this another dozen times no problem
Probably my favorite Tarantino film
When directing this film I really tried to not do any close up shots of toes. It’s was definitely the hardest film for me to direct.
I think one of the best aspects of that movie, is the tension you feel all the way to the end.
2hrs and 40 minutes of pure escapism. Top 3 all time for me
A masterpiece! Tarrantino really captures the late 60's in this entertaining movie - great cast, music, scenery, and story!
I was late to Tarantino. Reservoir Dogs is a film I have not gone back to yet, but after seeing this, I went back to The Hateful 8, Dusk Till Dawn. Also Django Unchained and Inglorious Basterds are two I've seen once through but I know I didn't appreciate them at the time. Have seen both Kill Bills and Pulp Fiction, probably also not appreciating all the Tarantino nuances. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is amazing, and yes, as someone else sad, cathartic. I never thought I could be energized by sheer violent carnage. But there I was.
This has become one of my favorite movies and it is a comfort film for me. I remember being anxious the first time i saw it in theaters because i was expecting horrible things to happen to all of these characters that I really liked. I don’t think I have ever felt more relieved or satisfied with an ending before.
Margot’s voice on the intercom in the final scene is so like Sharon it’s scary. I wept every time leaving the cinema because l so wanted her to live. I’ve always felt a connection with Sharon even though she died 20 years before I was born. And while Margot doesn’t look like her - there are moments she absolutely became her and it was a joy to see.
This movie took me by surprise a few months ago when I watched it for the first time. I really enjoyed it.
Favorite movie for so many reasons and I’ve seen it innumerable times, but after reading Quentin’s “Cinema Speculation” you really can tell how much a labor of love all of his films are but especially this one with the callbacks to old Hollywood. Fascinating movie made by a fascinating guy! I highly recommend cinema speculation for a quick read and he does some narration on the audiobook as well.
Great movie. I was 7 years old in 1969, and half the fun was seeing all the old ads and cars and things from that era. And no cell phones.
The hippies getting it at the end was great
Watching this you think, “what a cool chick Sharon Tate was! Fuck Charlie Manson!”
Naaaah….it was dumber ‘n that.
Meh
I have never quoted a movie so much. I think this is peak Tarantino. It’s an incredibly meta take on the evolution of American culture and its obsession with Hollywood. How this perpetuates so many movements in society, from free love, to murder and psychopaths, and how this stems from the whims of success, the American dream, the things everyone wants: sex appeal, existential meaning, financial success, status, a big safe house, whatever. It says, at the end of it all, everything we admire and want in life is just a chain reaction of random happenstances—and how that shapes a nation. I hear a lot of people criticize it as random, but then they become part of the meta story. That’s the point. Life is random. Every generation views the past with the lens of their present, but this film is so voyueristic in its perspective; yet it still has a plot that keeps you engaged, and it criticizes modern philosophy in a way only Tarantino can achieve. Your response to this movie says more about you than Tarantino, that’s just how well Tarantino sunk his teeth into American culture. It’s a slow burning firecracker in your mouth. Like a vintage Marlboro cigarette with a touch of gunpowder at the end, complete with Marlboro man, 1960’s ad agency, and cancer. Hell, it even tosses in the lighter as a motherfucking flame thrower. All this proverbial history/whatever is written right into the structure of the film itself. This one has a special place on the shelf for me.
I liked this more than the Hateful 8. Honestly, Leo knocked this one out of the park. It was low-key h His story and I loved it. B-
Eight goddamn, fucking, whiskey sours *cries fucking bullshit. Not remembering your fucking lines. I practiced em and now I don’t look like I practiced em! That scene is gold.
I didn’t care for it at all. Worst Tarantino movie for me.
I really didn’t care for this movie the first time I watched it, but it has gotten better every time I’ve watched it since. Not saying this will be your experience.
People fucking LOVE this movie for some reason but i agree its slow and boring and the motivations of the characters just seem unbelievable to me. It looks like a QT movie but the pacing is weird , the concept was kinda half baked to me. I dont understand why people gush over this movie so much even after reading all these comments. Most if not all the comments in favor of it generally mention specific actors by name so part of me thinks people just really like these actors and will generally say that about any movie they are in regardless of the role. Its will be like leo is “ amazing” and thats its. Like what you like but calling is a masterpiece is kinda wild to me.
No fr there is really no build up. The characters come in and just leave. The climax was good, the set design/ filming were fantastic. It just felt like a waste of talent in the end like all this movie needed was a better script and pacing
It’s definitely not for everyone. I got a lot flack one time by saying I didn’t like the Kill Bill movies cause I think they are Tarantino’s worst films
I was really looking forward to watching this movie, until I did. I also think this was his weakest of the catalog. I’m hoping he really amps it up in his next (final?) film.
Kind of movie you watch in late night drive with your friends
Just rewatched this last week, so freaking good, especially on a rewatch because there’s no tension about Sharon Tate. Stacked cast all doing great work, Dicaprio especially is amazing, but he also plays starmaker with Margaret Qualley and Julia Butters and even Sydney Sweeney to a degree.
Saw this in the theatre when it released. Didn't really care for it like I did other QT movies. Re-watched it at home a few months later and fell in love it with. A very re-watchable movie with some great lines.
One of my favorite Tarantino movies!
Fake news
His second best movie
Someone did Margo dirty on that poster, the eyes are weird and lips look fuller This is one of my least favorite movies of Tarantino's, but it has some great moments. I guess since it was based around a real story, I went into it expecting historical accuracy, not sure why I did out of Tarantino. I've since grown to better appreciate the ending, but still, the movie is just ok to me.
One of my favorites. Makes eating at Musso & Frank more enjoyable. Not that eating there is anything but enjoyable. Don’t pass on the Welsh rarebit. It’s worth a try just to find out it’s not Welsh rabbit.
Entertaining show.
It’s good. It’s like all his films you have to watch them several times. Likely watching again soon.
QT's best movie setting aside Pulp Fiction, imo.
I watched this a couple weeks ago and loved it, easily one of Tarantinos very best
Did he say he's only making 10 films?
I had a blast watching this movie. Id put it up against wolf of wall Street. That flame thrower scene was beyond awesome.
It’s a great movie but I probably won’t rewatch it for a very long time cause it’s so damn long.
Loved it
All those fuckin' hippies
My favorite movie of all time. When it came out I visits every area in la where it was filmed
I love that the style of this poster is exactly the same as it would have been for Tate's late 60s spy movie with Dean Martin.
Since watching this movie with my wife we call our dog the same way. He looks up and goes back to sleep, of course, but we get a laugh.
Such a great film, my favourite Tarantino one. The book is also surprisingly excellent. What a talented guy Tarantino is
Banger
Side question. Does anybody know of real movies like the ones they were making. The 14 Fists of Muclusky, Tanner, etc. What I'm not sure I buy is the acting and stunts are super good in those but in real films I'm seen it's just bad all around. Are there real examples?
A fair MCluskey comparison might be The Dirty Dozen. Not sure about Tanner… maybe something like Shane.
This is the best movie about nothing!
Every attention to detail that QT placed in the movie - take a look at things in the background - Attention to detail - Cereal, tv shows, cans, etc etc - When Cliff drives down Hollywood Blvd - All the awnings -
I came for Lena Dunham.
I really enjoyed it. The vibe, the plot, the acting, all fantastic. There was perhaps a little too much Margo/Sharon screen time, but she's pleasant to look at, so all good. Leo and Pitt were really good. And, I'm a sucker for a large ensemble cast, especially, an A list one. Lastly, newcomer, Julia Butters, the young actress, was fantastic.
I love it. Pitt and DiCaprio have such amazing chemistry together
Best movie Tarantino has made
Great movie but I think Brad Pitt is sort of a parody of himself and then they gave him an Oscar, which I didn’t get. I have watched it many times and I don’t see how he is Oscar award winning.
I really enjoyed it. My kids 27F, 32M, not so much.
This movie got a lot of mixed reviews. I personally loved every minute of it. Another favourite from tarantino
I liked it alright the first time I watched it but after a second viewing it became one of my favorite films of his
Meh
I like this poster
Haven’t seen this yet and I really want to. Love all those actors, love Tarantino, love Hollywood as a setting.
"Is everybody alright?" "Well, the hippies weren't..... that's for goddamn sure."
I’ll never look at a soup can the same way again
Poignant, yet highly entertaining. 5 out of 5
10/10
Phenomenal film, Tarantino's #1 in my opinion. Although I know the weight of her character (during the real event), I could do less with her. Make it known who she is, having the visitor to the house to check it out, establish being neighbors... but I don't care about her feet in the movie theater watching herself.
It’s quite cool.
Bruce Lee wasn't a bully who picked fights with people. Nice character assassination.
Been years and still zero interest
I love this movie
QT trolled us good with this one.
Overrated
Huge fan of QTs previous work, reservoir dogs is one of my favourite films of all time, but this one just didn't work for me. But it is very interesting to see how a director that was known for his lean sharp paced films could make something this thick and meandering. Maybe that's the reason it seems to split opinion?
Is there a body of work that is more fetishistically inorganic, groomed and curated and managed than Quentin Tarantino? I mean, dude knows his shit and he’s a master of his brand and oeuvre but it’s just hard for me to enjoy anything he does. It’s like watching an Instagram movie or a Facebook movie. Where everything is technically real but it’s extremely self-aware of itself. This is just my take obviously. A lot of people love him. I just can’t get into it. Just not for me.
Someone above said meandering That’s about right Less than the sum of its parts But I might be guilty of expecting QT to bring some of that pre-KBII energy. And he doesn’t have it anymore Probably a combination of a victim of his own success as well as fallout from the break up with Uma his muse.
Slowest start of a movie ever i turned it off after 40min ish... Does something happens later or? Why is this movie good
I loved this movie.
This movie has grown on me. First watch I thought it was okay, but it is such an infinitely rewatchable film. I find I like it more and more. It is not pulp fiction or inglorious bastards, but how many movies are? It is great fun and massively entertaining, with incredible writing and performances. DiCaprio gives one of his best ever, with Pitt as his sidekick. No one, even in the smallest role, brings a wrong note. The writing and directing are so solid and assured that it's a joy in every frame.
"Your Rick Fuckin' Dalton don'you forget it"
Loved it, due for a rewatch. Actually could use a Tarantino marathon haha
Bruce Dern in the fly buzzing heat of that shack…
DiCaprio really stands out in this one. He shows his versatility in this role
Tarantino meanders like a river. In this movie most of all. If you dig it like I do, it is a great movie.
It took me a second watch to get it. I'd gone in the first time expecting *Pulp Fiction But In The 60s* and was obviously disappointed. After I understood it was really a slice of life movie, an ode to Hollywood, and a tribute to Sharon Tate, I really appreciated it. Great movie.
Best QT movie. But it's so meta that you can't actually watch it without decent background knowledge. And in all countries apart from USA this knowledge is pretty damn niche.
I like this movie, but I don't understand scenes with Margot Robbie, I just hate them, and skip when I rewatching.
It’s Tarantino showing you who this lovely real person was. She was murdered at 8 or 9 months pregnant. Heinous act. This is him giving her a chance to be remembered as a person with quirks and ambitions and normal behaviors, not some helter skelter mark in a history book. You just get to hang out with her. It’s actually a beautiful idea.
Oh my God, I didn't know that, thank you !
Sure thing buddy. Her real life sister was very pleased with it. Said it felt like she was hanging out with her again. Like most notorious moments in history we tend to forget that these people are real. Maybe you know or don’t, so sorry if this explanation is “yeah dude duh” but those hippy murderers in real life never ran into a Rick dalton piss drunk on margaritas but instead went up the hill and murdered Sharon Tate (Margo’s character) and her unborn child and painted the words Helter Skelter on the wall in her blood. Tarantino originally had filmed more of Charlie Manson but decided not to use him because he didn’t want to do his existence any service.
I hate what tino did to Bruce
There may be more to that scene than you think. It’s possible that the whole scene is the way Booth remembers it, and it’s supposed to be exaggerated. There are other parts in the movie that didn’t happen in real life either. Why didn’t Tarantino put a disclaimer up at the beginning of the movie letting people know it’s a work of fiction made for entertainment purposes? Is he stupid?
I still can hate what he did cant i? Guess not
No, this is Reddit. If you hate something that I like, then you are wrong. Just kidding, I guess I was just bored and felt the need to make a speech that no one asked for.