Movie Review - Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino, now there’s a name that divides a lot of opinion. You either really like him or you don’t it’s that simple, there’s no middle when it comes to him. Saying he’s extravagant is putting it very mildly, his films (which usually don’t hold anything back) prove that perfectly. We confess to being one of his biggest fans. He’s bold, different and only a few can do what he does…his movies (we reckon) are masterpieces.

He is back this time with a more than tentalising prospect, it comes in the shape of Once Upon a Time In Hollywood starring a blockbuster cast headlined by Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, Brad Pritt, Timothy Olyphant, Dakota Fanning, Al Pacino and more. We’ve been waiting for this one and thanks to Ster-Kinekor we were able to see if first during the opening of their revamped Cinema Nouveau at Rosebank Mall. A very classy and classic feel they have there now, we certainly approve of the changes made!

Cast – Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern, Al Pacino

Director – Quentin Tarantino

Genre – Drama/Thriller

Running Time – 2h 45m

Officially his (Tarantino) ninth feature film, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood is a story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood. The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), former star of a western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Both are struggling to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognize anymore. But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbor…Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). We admit that the synopsis isn’t enough to drive excitement in anyone but if you are familiar with Tarantino and also look at the rich cast (and boy does this movie have this in abundance) then you would probably sense that there is something special about it regardless.

This is one weird and ridiculous movie, so yes classic Tarantino at his best. It may not be our fave work from him but it’s one he can be proud to have as part of his very overzealous but very impressive repertoire. It won’t be for everyone we can safely say that, you will either really like it or really dislike it (again, it’s as simple as that with no in between or middle). This was evident when not even midway through it some people started leaving the cinema and some remaining, staying right through to the end (us included).

The concept is something that has stuck with us and makes us wonder what goes on in Tarantino’s head and how he manages to come up with all of it. Some may call it madness, we call it genius. We keep on referring to him and less so on anything else mainly because it’s evident that this movie is him fulfilling his wildest edges. The movie is spread across with a very interesting way of shooting and cutting to different scenes. The performances are also fantastic, more so from the two leads, DiCaprio fully investing in the role (as he naturally does) and Pitt coming through in his cool and charming way (as he also naturally does).

Screening officially on 30 August 2019, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood is a very interesting ride that will appeal to a certain type of movie watcher who appreciates different concepts brought to life through film. It’s a ride that includes a ton of cool features as well as all kinds of comedy done so in a not so classical blatant manner. It validates why we are huge fans of Tarantino films and why he will forever be unique in what he does, he’s not for everyone but he’s definitely for us. His latest work gets a 7.5 out of 10 rating from us.

Our thanks to Ster-Kinekor for the very classy screening at their equally classy revamped Cinema Nouveau cinema at Rosebank Mall. If anything, go there to just experience that.

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#Brad Pritt #Leonardo DiCaprio #Margot Robbie #Once Upon a Time In Hollywood #Quentin Tarantino #Ster-Kenikor

Posted By

Thabiso Moloi

With many, many years of PR, digital & influencer marketing work under his belt, Thabiso has worked on a great number of technology, business and consumer brands. In addition, he has become obsessed with most things under the sun including music, series, sports, movies etc which he now regularly writes about. You can find him on Twitter: @Thabz_14