PROVOKR Pick: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Tarantino’s Take on 1969 LA
Tarantino fans get ready, he’s got a brand-spanking new film about to hit theaters. Of course, if you’re a fan of his you’ve likely been following this film since it was first announced in July 2017, but now it’s here. That new film is, drum-roll please, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Tarantino’s tribute to the end of Hollywood’s golden age.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is set in 1969, an alternate timeline (because of course it is,) and follows aging TV star, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), and his stunt double/friend, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), as they strive to make a name for themselves in a changing industry.
Now, if you know anything about 1969 Los Angeles, you might be familiar with the Tate-LaBianca murders perpetrated by Charles Manson and his followers. Margot Robbie is stepping in as murdered starlet, Sharon Tate, and Damon Herriman portrays cult-leader Charles Manson. Don’t expect Tarantino to be sticking to the facts of the Tate-LaBianca case. Knowing his past work, especially his alternate WWII history film Inglourious Basterds, you can expect history to be changed here too.
Joining DiCaprio, Pitt and Robbie in the cast are Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Timothy Olyphant, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern, Al Pacino, and so many others. It’s Tarantino, of course the cast is insane.
This film is not without controversy however. Tarantino was a long-time collaborator of Harvey Weinstein’s and this is his first film not produced by Weinstein following the myriad sexual assault claims against him. Thank goodness.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood premiered at the Cannes film festival on May 21, 2019. Though the film was originally set to be released theatrically on August 9 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Tate-LaBianca murders, it is in theaters now for your viewing pleasure. It is being released by Sony Pictures.
