Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood Film Review  A Contemplative Quentin Tarantino Still Blows the Roof
Warning: This article contains major spoilers
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Quentin Tarantino has loomed over this years Cannes Film Festival ever since the lineup was announced on April 18 and he wasnt on it. At the press conference to reveal this years slate, Cannes chief Thierry Fremaux went out of his way to say that Tarantinos film, "Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood," was missing from the lineup simply because it wasnt finished, and that he hoped Tarantino would complete the editing in time to bring it to Cannes.
He did finish and he did bring it. Boy, did he bring it.
Gallery: How The Real Life Characters In Once Upon A Time in Hollywood Compare To The Actors Playing Them  Esquire UK
Tarantino has begged the press not to include any spoilers in reviews, and he had a Cannes official do the same on stage before the press screening began.  The announcement drew a few boos.  But its no spoiler  and probably no surprise, either  to say that "Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood" is big, brash, ridiculous, too long, and in the end, invigorating. Its a grand playground for the director to further fetishize old pop culture, to break things and hurt people, and to bring a wide eyed glee and a robust sense of perversity to the whole craft of moviemaking.
Gallery: Gallery: Quentin Tarantinos craziest quotes and controversies  Starinsider
At least, thats what his main character is doing. Rick Dalton is a hugely successful TV actor in the 1950s and early 60s who wants to be more than that – but the industry is changing, and hes not sure how he fits.  His options, basically, seem to be playing guest villains on TV series or heading to Italy to make sub Leone spaghetti Westerns.
Ricks stunt double, aide de camp and best friend, Cliff Booth, has no such fears; he knows exactly who he is and what he can do, and even a slumping career  since his fate is inextricably tied to Ricks  doesnt seem to faze the guy.
The film covers six months in 1969, but its filled with homages to  or outright re creations of  old TV shows, old movies, old advertising jingles: Tarantino indulges in his obsessions as he gets to direct all the stuff he loved as a kid. He also gets to recreate the Hollywood of 1969 by tracking down just about every neon sign that still exists from that era, and re dressing stretches of Hollywood Boulevard to look like the street of his memories.
The Tarantino jukebox gets the kind of workout it hasnt since "Pulp Fiction"  Roy Head! Paul Revere and the Raiders! Neil Diamond! Vanilla Fudge! , and for almost two hours and 40 minutes, Rick and Cliff wrestle with career and personal problems and, yes, cross paths both with Sharon Tate  Ricks next door neighbor, played by Margot Robbie  and the Manson family  who host a memorable visit from Cliff .
The film takes its time, to the point where at times it starts to feel sluggish – but even the slower moments have delicious touches or wonderful cameos  ladies and gentlemen, Bruce Freakin Dern!  And slowly but surely, this bravura homage builds up to … something.
Suffice it to say that "Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood"  those ellipses are important, people  is Quentin Tarantinos most contemplative movie until it isnt.
Happy Tarantino Day, Cannes.
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