This late 1960s callback is not only the most technically impressive piece of Tarantino's career, but it is also a remarkable look at a fictional actor's life and the world around him.
That actor, in particular, is Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a famed TV star fearing his fall trying to regain his confidence. DiCaprio could not be more perfect as Dalton, as he brings to life his struggles with confidence in such a comedic and enduring way that no other actor could've done as well as him.
In fact, all of the characters and performances are pretty much spot on. Every one feels perfectly casted, and regardless of how long they are in the film. Even characters with shorter screen times, like Marvin Schwarzs (a fictional agent portrayed by Al Pacino) and Bruce Lee (Mike Moh) are able to leave an impression because they don't waste a moment on screen, and fully embrace their character.
Brad Pitt, who plays Cliff Booth, is also worth noting, as he gives easily his best performance. His role as Rick Dalton's stunt double is one he was born for. He brings so much attitude to Booth, bringing to life the tough sidekick as anyone would've wanted.
The final widely-advertised performance in the film I haven't talked about yet would be Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, who is certainly good, but Tate's character feels a bit wasted. Her style seems to be portrayed perfectly, but throughout the film very little is told about her outside of her stardom, and it feels like she is there purely to compare her to Rick Dalton. But even then this doesn't take away from how great the characters are in this film overall.
It is also undeniable that this is easily the best recreation of 1960s Hollywood to date. The sets and costumes are all spot-on and brimming with old-school L.A. charm. The actual movie sets in the movie (set-ception as one might say) showcase this best, as they separate themselves from the rest of the film entirely and make you feel like you're now watching a classic western.
And the scenes where those western sets can be seen are among the best in the film. They explore Rick Dalton in unexpected ways and give DiCaprio some of the best moments of his career, and are shot beautifully as a homage to those old westerns.
Yes, the movie is unsurprisingly host to some amazing cinematography. From perfect centering that effortlessly captures someone's moment to gorgeous scenery shots, Robert Richardson has once again proven that he is one of the best photography directors working today.
The editing is solid, giving each scene enough time to breath and staying true to the style of the film wonderfully. However, it does feel like some scenes have been given too much time to breath and run a little too long, and they could've used some more cutting there to make film feel a little quicker, per-say.
As for Quentin Tarantino's work here, his writing is what would you would expect from him. You get sharp, realistic dialogue with the perfect mix of comedy, attitude, and make the film all the more engaging.
His direction is just as credible. He has a clear focus on his actors and where to take each scene, helping make the film the character-driven piece that it is and making it work all the more.
With an excellent cast, top-notch production value, and excellent writing, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is the kind of high-budget film we need nowadays. One that's original, has heart, and offers plenty of reason to come back to it in the future. It's not the best work Tarantino has put out there, but it certainly is another great offering from him.
Final Grade: A
