Palace Nova East End Cinemas
Tarantino has this knack of making quirky films seem so natural and normal. But really that’s what it is. He takes our strange human traits and makes them look weird or odd but at the same time relatable. Throw in some hardcore action scenes and blood thirsty violence and you have a typical Tarantino film that you just can stop watching.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is classic Tarantino. The characters are complex and likeable, and the story takes you for a wild western ride. Leonardo Di Caprio plays washed up Western TV actor Rick Dalton who struggles to deal with his declining popularity and lack of acting roles coming his way. His offsider, friend, stunt double and all round go to man is Cliff Booth played by Brad Pitt while the brilliant Margo Robbie plays actress Sharon Tate.
There’s plenty of flashbacks so you can get the history of each character and the film goes inside the mind of Dalton and Booth’s characters where you get to know them more intimately. With all their flaws, instabilities and charm you grow to like these guys and want to see them shine even in such dirty and crazy circumstances.
Without giving away too much, the story line intertwines between fact and fiction of the Manson Family’s true story and with the Sharon Tate events of 1969. One thing for sure is that you just can’t help but be captivated by Margo Robbie’s portrayal of Tate. Not only is there an incredible likeness to Tate, but her performance is just as brilliant.
It’s a “spot the celebrity” with special appearances from the late Luke Perry, Kurt Russell, Brenda Vaccaro, Dakota Fanning, Rumer Willis and the legendary Al Pacino who even in his brief appearance commands attention.
If you like Tarantino, then this a must-see movie. If you don’t it’s still worth seeing as it explores deep into the psyche of its characters rather than focusing too much on action or violence. The performances by all the actors help bring the shine to this movie. It’s worth the trip to the cinema for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
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