This is the best film I have seen in a cinema in a really long time - scratch that; this is the best film I have seen in any format in any place in a really long time.
I have intentionally left out really any details about the film specifically because I feel as though beyond the generalities that already exist in the trailers that it is important that everyone shut TF up about key features of the film that can really spoil it for other people. If you've already seen it, i think you made a wise choice but please let's not spoil it for other people. If you haven't seen it yet, you really should do so, in a movie theater if possible.
Now, i know that this film was released in the USA in July but we are getting to it pretty late over here in Thailand. I was surprised and a bit delighted that we got it at all because films without a superhero, transforming robots, or The Rock tend to not be released here at all. Dramas and comedies from the west tend to skip this country altogether.
I'm going to say almost nothing about the subject matter except for the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio plays the role of Rick Dalton, a Hollywood actor that feels as though he is soon to be considered "washed up" and forgotten. His self-loathing attitude is warranted because he is an exceptional drunk. He is so much of a drunk that he has to employ his friend and stunt-double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) to be his assistant and driver, because he has too many DUI's to be allowed to operate a car.
If you follow my stuff at all you already know that I am a massive critic of Leonardo DiCaprio. I have always called him things like "overrated" and complained about how he only has admiration as an actor because of relationships that he developed with big name directors and how all of his films would be a little bit better if they had been Matt Damon films.
Basically, i said that all of his movies (with Gilbert Grape and Blood Diamond being the only exceptions) were good movies in spite of him, not because of him. I do NOT believe he deserved to win the Best Actor Oscar for Revenant and I would have gone as far as to say that I don't think he should have been nominated.
That being said: Leo was unbelievably good in this film. He has proven me wrong in his performance here. His ability to show vulnerability as an actor playing an actor is phenomenal and I wonder if this maybe has a little bit to do with the fact that maybe Leo also knows that he isn't really as fantastic as he is hyped up to be - or at least wasn't until he played this role.
When he gets choked up after receiving some praise from an 8-year old girl - That hit me right in the heart. Leo is able to make us identify with Rick Dalton and to actually feel how afraid this man is of becoming irrelevant in the industry. This depth of emotion is not something I expected out of DiCaprio at all.
I feel as though I can't tell too much about Pitt's character and for the most part I'll just leave that alone. However, since it is in the trailer already, I can say that Pitt's character of Cliff Booth never really had aspirations of fame as a stunt double and had mostly just become a friend and confidant of Rick Dalton over the course of his career and supports Rick hoping that HIS career will continue as he has no aspirations of his own. They are friends first, and co-workers sometimes.
I'll shut up about that now because i think seeing this film "blind" is essential to enjoying it fully.
As you would expect from Tarantino films, there is an epic soundtrack from start to finish - and some intentional Easter eggs as well such as homages to other actors and things that didn't exist in 1969 that I believe were put in on purpose. Quentin likes to have some fun with his films after-all.
Basically, this is the best film I have seen in 2019 and I can't believe I am saying that since I normally go into DiCaprio films trying to NOT like them. I don't know if seeing this in a theater is still an option in the west but if it is, go see it. If you are in Asia, it is in cinemas now. For the entire world, i would imagine we will get this dropped on digital download in the next couple months (if it isn't already there.)
This is the first film of 2019 that I have felt compelled to sit and discuss it with the people that I went to the cinema with after we left and their reaction was quite similar to my own. It haunts you... it is really that good. As much as I criticize the man, I sincerely hope that Leo is nominated for Best Actor this time around, because I will be rooting for him if he is.
Once upon a Time in Hollywood gets the biggest "Wowsers!" from me that I have issued this year (and there hasn't been many.)