Homage to Tinseltown’s golden era and a scope into the lives of both fictional and real actors during the Manson murders, this is one of the most anticipated features from Tarantino. It follows declining TV star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his struggling stunt double Cliff Booth (Pitt), who become neighbours with Sharon Tate (Robbie). Here’s what else we know:
It features an A-list cast that rivals Avengers
Well, kind of. The film will also see Al Pacino, Tim Roth, Kurt Russel, Dakota Fanning, James Marsden, and the late Luke Perry. There will also be an appearance by Maya Hawke, daughter of Ethan Hawke and early Tarantino muse, Uma Thurman.
Tarantino calls it the closest thing to ‘Pulp Fiction’ he’s done
Once (yes, we’re abbreviating it. Or would you prefer the acronym OUATIH?) shares a similar structure in the way the stories of seemingly unrelated characters weave together. In an interview with Esquire US, the director also expresses that it is probably his most personal work. “I think of it like my memory piece. Alfonso [Cuarón] had Roma and Mexico City, 1970. I had L. A. and 1969. This is me. This is the year that formed me. I was six years old then. This is my world. And this is my love letter to L. A.”
The film received a seven-minute standing ovation at Cannes
The Palme d'Or nominee is said to have all the signature violence, but is more character biopic. Tarantino has explained that it looks at Hollywood through a social strata. With each of the three characters representing someone in a different level; Booth as the ones who've worked their whole lives behind the scenes, Dalton as actors aspiring to move upward, and Tate as the epitome of success.
It could be Tarantino’s last film
If you’re a big Quentin Tarantino fan, you’d know the director has been waving around the idea of retirement upon his tenth film. Once marks Tarantino’s ninth feature, but who knows, it’s always better to go out on a big note. He told GQ Australia, “I see myself writing film books and starting to write theatre, so I’ll still be creative. I just think I’ve given all I have to give to movies.”
We now have a month left to wait
While all the lucky folks in the west enjoyed the premiere screening earlier in May, we’ve got exactly a month from now before we get to see it. Let the countdown begin.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is out in local theatres 15 August.
