Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

A faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.

Director:

Quentin Tarantino

Writer:

Quentin Tarantino

Stars:

Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie

Top Rated Movies #217 | 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Rick Dalton
Brad Pitt	...	Cliff Booth
Margot Robbie	...	Sharon Tate
Emile Hirsch	...	Jay Sebring
Margaret Qualley	...	Pussycat
Timothy Olyphant	...	James Stacy
Julia Butters	...	Trudi
Austin Butler	...	Tex
Dakota Fanning	...	Squeaky Fromme
Bruce Dern	...	George Spahn
Mike Moh	...	Bruce Lee
Luke Perry	...	Wayne Maunder
Damian Lewis	...	Steve McQueen
Al Pacino	...	Marvin Schwarz
Nicholas Hammond	...	Sam Wanamaker

Storyline

Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood's golden age.

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Plot Keywords:

manson murders | 1960s | film within a film | place in title | year 1969 | 

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Taglines:

The 9th Film from Quentin Tarantino.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language throughout, some strong graphic violence, drug use, and sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA UK China

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 July 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled #9

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$41,082,018, 28 July 2019

Gross USA:

$119,617,467

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$184,950,831

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bona Film Group, Heyday Films, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

161 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the mid-credits Red Apple Tobacco commercial, Rick Dalton says, "Take a bite and feel all right." Quentin Tarantino previously used this phrase in his published screenplay for From Dusk Till Dawn (1996); it is spoken by Seth Gecko (George Clooney) during that film's climactic fight, but was not included in the final cut.

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Goofs

When on the set for Lancer, several modern intermodal containers are in the background being used as offices. These weren't available for decades later.

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Quotes

Cliff Booth: Oh, I know you. I know all three of you! Spahn Ranch! Aw, I missed you! Mmm! Yeah!
[turns to Patricia Krenwinkel]
Cliff Booth: I don't know your name, but I do remember that hair.
[turns to Susan Atkins]
Cliff Booth: And you, I remember your white little face.
[turns to Tex Watson]
Cliff Booth: And you were on a horsey! Yeah... you are?
Tex: I'm the Devil. And I'm here to do the Devil's business.
Cliff Booth: ...Nah, it was dumber than that. Something like, Rex?
Sadie: Come on, shoot him, Tex!
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Like Django Unchained (2012), the film opens with the late 1960's Columbia Pictures logo.

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Alternate Versions

In the teaser trailer and the next 2 theatrical trailers some shots from deleted scenes are shown.

• Cliff Booth see Charles Manson walking away from Sharon Tate's house. Both exchange looks. Charlie initially greets Cliff, later Charlie grunts at him.
• Sharon Tate dancing in a black dress in a moving stage.
• Mr. Schwartz salute the projectionist before entering the projection room.
• Sharon Tate swimming in her pool.

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Connections

References Tess (1979)

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Soundtracks

Choo Choo Train
Written by Donnie Fritts (as Donald Fritts) and Eddie Hinton
Performed by The Box Tops
Courtesy of RCA Records
By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Either the Worst or the Best Film...

Before watching this film, it is CRITICAL that you have somewhat of a knowledge about Charles Manson (and Sharron Tate). If I did not have my sister next to me pointing out the small references to this serial killer's story, I would not have understood at least 80% of the movie. Understanding the significant details adds a specific intensity in every other scene, like you know something that the characters don't, and always keeps your eyes glued to the screen.

Although I can see how a few scenes were fairly slow, and the middle was not particularly engaging, Tarantino definitely had a purpose for each scene, even if I don't have all the answers. Even the smallest of details, like a gun holster of beer or the way the characters drive down the highway, reveals hidden thoughts, feelings, and backstories to the audience. If you do not catch onto these specific details, I can understand how some points seem overindulgent of "the golden age" of Hollywood. But the beautifully nostalgic filming in these moments is what makes this film not only entertaining, but a piece of art.

It's the juxtaposition of Sharron and Dalton's storyline, it's the wonder and the dimensional characters, it's the brilliant manipulation of the audience's emotions, causing you to laugh, scream, and cry (sometimes simultaneously) that makes this film utterly perfect.

The ending leaves you wondering "What if..." over and over again, questioning what reality would look like if these fictional characters of Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth actually existed. And I think that's when I realized how perfect the title was: it's a humorous, fairy-tale (although not completely violent-free) ending to the tragic fate of Hollywood in the 60s...