Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Tarantino's Masterpiece or Plotless Self-Indulgence?
I think my initial reaction to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was similar to many others. It’s kind of like being really hungry and taking a big bite out of something that turns out to be pretty much all air without any substance. It leaves you dissatisfied. Hopefully that comparison wasn’t too obscure but that was my problem with Quentin Tarantino’s newest movie. I expected a plot-filled, crazy story with plenty of twists and turns that payed homage to 1960’s Hollywood. Instead, I got a plotless series of vignettes that gave Tarantino the opportunity to create his ultimate love letter to LA.
The struggle that the movie presents upon an initial view is deciding whether or not it truly is just style over substance. While it may immediately come off as that, the more I think about it, the more I think the real problem is managing expectations. The meandering nature of the film, which at first could seem like a negative, may be exactly what Tarantino wanted to achieve. In recent interviews he’s compared the story to Jackie Brown, calling both “hang-out” movies. Maybe he’s just saying that to avoid criticism but considering he’s done something similar once before, I tend to believe him. It does, however, make the first viewing of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood very unexpected and that’s why I’m excited to give this movie another shot. Now that I know the framework of the film, all I need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy.
There are undoubtedly countless great moments throughout Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the last 30 minutes of Brad Pitt’s trip off an acid dipped cigarette is some of Tarantino’s greatest work. However, it will be interesting to see how a second viewing changes my overall perceptions of the film because I think now knowing what to expect, I may appreciate it much more.
The only way in which Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is truly exclusionary is its reliance on LA culture and knowledge of Hollywood history, especially in regards to the life of actress Sharon Tate. If you’re unfamiliar with those elements, the movie may be a bit confusing. In that sense, I think it may fail to capture as wide of an audience as some of Tarantino’s other films.
Plotless doesn’t necessarily mean pointless and I hope that’s what my final stance on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will be after some time. Tarantino isn’t necessarily pushing a certain agenda but he is expertly crafting a world that we love to spend time in and maybe that’s not such a bad thing. On top of that, DiCaprio and Pitt give some extremely memorable performances and like Inglorious Basterds, the movie’s rewrite on history is a unique and memorable experience. More Tarantino is never a bad thing and his newest film, while unlike his others, is another example of the director’s talent.
