Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

My Review

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is a comedy-drama film following the story of a fading western TV star and his stunt double navigating the changing ways of Hollywood in 1969. Director-screenwriter Quentin Tarantino (“Pulp Fiction” 1994) solidly crafted this motion picture which is enormously entertaining on so many levels – A nostalgic look at Los Angeles in the 1960’s, glimpses into the Charles Manson gang, a comical look at a television show taping, a visit by Brad Pitt to George Spahn’s movie ranch, Sharon Tate popping into a matinee showing of one of her movies (“The Wrecking Crew” with Dean Martin), and much more.

The cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio as faded star Rick Dalton, Brad Pitt as his stunt double, Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, Emile Hirsch as Jay Sebring, Timothy Olyphant as a TV star, Austin Butler as Tex, Dakota Fanning as Squeaky, Bruce Dern as George Spahn, Damian Lewis as Steve McQueen, Al Pacino as Marvin, Samantha Robinson as Abigail Folger, Dreama Walker as Connie Stevens, Rachel Redleaf as Cass Elliot, Rebecca Rittenhouse as Michelle Phillips, Rumer Willis as Joanna Pettit, Clu Gulager as book store owner, Michael Madsen as a TV show sheriff, Brenda Vaccaro as Mary Alice, Mike Moh as Bruce Lee, Luke Perry as actor Wayne (his final film appearance), and Kurt Russell as the Narrator.

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” was a solid success at the box office for Columbia Pictures, Visiona Romantica, Heyday Films, Bona Film Group, and Sony Pictures Releasing. It was filmed throughout the Los Angeles area. The movie was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning two – Best Supporting Actor (Pitt) and Best Production Design. Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (DiCaprio), Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography (Robert Richardson), Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.