Tarantino is a name that’s synonymous with a certain type of cinema. Depending on who you ask, its either a good thing or a bad thing. I truly believe (as what seems like the majority agrees) that he’s seminal when it comes to modern talented directors/writers. Sometimes there are problematic issues that stem from his writing, but I feel that in some weird way that they are on purpose or at the very least, he doesn’t care if they are problems, which again lead back into his personal brand and style. So when sitting down to watch a movie that I have personally been waiting quite a while for, I was low key excited but also tentative as I knew the subject matter that it was dealing with (even in a roundabout way). I hoped that it would be done tastefully, which I feel is a fair concern when it comes to Tarantino specifically.
The story is and isn’t about the Manson murders. This isn’t a spoiler as you find out early in the movie that Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton is Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski’s neighbour. This has been common knowledge for a while and was something that I was very excited about, as one of the only things I feel that truly creeps me out, is cults. Now I can’t really say more without spoiling it and even as I watched the movie, the director even sent a quote asking everything to be secretive, so I will be.
Movies written and directed by Quentin Tarantino are usually themed; Django was a western and Inglorious Basterds was a war film (in his own way). So, when I left, I had a hard time pinning down what kind of him this was. It harkens back to Pulp Fiction in a way that is a collection of vignettes or short stories told within a longer narrative and I for one loved it. Its just events and things happening in and around the characters’ lives.
The way it’s shot, written and edited are quintessential Quentin and it was enjoyable the entire way through. The music stuck out to me especially as there is a lot of a certain radio station being played, it was done purposefully in a way that I feel really set the tone and setting. The acting was absolutely fantastic, as one would expect from Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie. There were other larger actors in smaller roles who were also great but the big three were outstanding and at some points, blew me away, Leo especially.
I’m in a tricky situation as once again, I can’t really say much about the movie more than it’s great and if you like anything I’ve mentioned in the review than you’ll most likely enjoy this movie. If it is indeed his last movie, he left on a very big high and I couldn’t be happier for everyone involved. It’s an intense, interesting and beautiful ride through 1960s Hollywood and you’ll enjoy every bump along the way.