Quentin Tarantino is not one to shy away from controversy and his eagerly awaited ninth film (tenth by individual release) Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is no exception. From the inclusion of rising Hollywood star, Sharon Tate, who was murdered by the Manson Family to the extremely limited dialogue of the female lead; there was plenty for people to talk about before it was even released but social politics aside, the real question is whether the film delivered to Tarantino’s usual standard.

It’s 1969; peace and freedom are the new American ideals, the Golden Age of Hollywood is coming to a close and aging TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his long serving, long suffering stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) are struggling to maintain successful careers in an industry that they no longer recognise. Dalton’s flagging career is impossible to ignore when acclaimed director Roman Polanski and his wife, rising starlet Sharon Tate – Hollywood’s hottest young couple – move next door.

Although I can appreciate his acting talents, Leonardo DiCaprio is just one of those actors that I can’t seem to get along with, and no matter how different and varied his roles may be, he always seems the same to me. With regards to his performance in this film however, someone without an unexplainable agenda might say that ever the leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a layered performance that is both bold and vulnerable, and he relishes in the opportunity to explore his often unseen comedic side to great effect.

His pairing with Brad Pitt is dynamic and delightful with the two actors bouncing off each other really well. If nothing else, credit needs to go to Tarantino for bringing us this pairing for the first time. As for Pitt himself, unlike his character, he seems to be experiencing something of a career second wind and he is absolutely making the most of it, earning himself his first Best Supporting Actor Oscar along the way. He gives off an effortlessly cool vibe that ramps up in spectacular fashion in the final act. For me, his turn as Cliff Booth was the saving grace of a film that ultimately feels a little lost.

Margot Robbie takes on the highly anticipated and somewhat controversial role of Sharon Tate and delivers a sensitive and understated performance that celebrates the everyday joys of a young woman at the start of her life and career, and proves that great performances are more than just the dialogue.

Whilst I can’t fault the acting, for me, there was not enough of a plot and the film dragged, I felt every minute of the two hour forty minute runtime. Although the film still very much caters to Tarantino’s predilection for profanity, it does have a somewhat romanticised feel to it, a love letter of sorts to a Hollywood Age gone by, and it is this that (in my humble opinion) lets the film down to such an extent that even the sharp upturn in pace for the final act can’t save the film for me.

Speaking of the final scenes, the hubby had a theory that added a rather interesting twist to an otherwise dull film. Although not depicted in the movie, given what we know about the real life events that transpired on the night of the 8th August 1969, his theory is that Rick Dalton dies in the fight and his invitation into the Tate/Polanski compound is actually symbolic of his journey through the Pearly Gates and into heaven. Whether or not that is what Tarantino intended, I still think it’s a compelling theory all the same.

Have you seen it? I’d love to hear your thoughts, let me know in the comments.

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