Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

In this town, it can all change… Like that.

R
2h 42m

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino
Premiered: July 24, 2019
Language: English
Status: Released
Budget: $95,000,000.00
Revenue: $392,105,159.00
Awards: Won 2 Oscars. 146 wins & 377 nominations total
Country: China
United Kingdom
United States of America

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

7.4/10 (14313 vote)

★★★★★★★★★★

Production: Heyday Films
Columbia Pictures
Bona Film Group

Spoiler

Los Angeles, 1969. The air crackles with the promise of change, a sentiment keenly felt by Rick Dalton, a television western star whose career is teetering on the precipice of obsolescence. His loyal stuntman and confidant, Cliff Booth, remains by his side, a steadfast presence in the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood. Their lives, seemingly on parallel but distinct tracks, are about to intersect with the vibrant and burgeoning world of rising stars and notorious figures, all against the backdrop of a city on the cusp of a seismic cultural shift.

The narrative unfolds on a crisp Saturday, February 8th, 1969. Rick finds himself in a restaurant, the hum of conversation a stark contrast to the internal turmoil of his professional life. It's here that he's approached by Marvin Schwarz, a producer with an evident admiration for Rick's past work. Schwarz recalls a memorable double feature, a testament to Rick's action-hero persona, particularly highlighting a role where he wielded a flamethrower against Nazis – a prop, he notes, that Rick still possesses. The producer also brings up a less flattering memory: a rather kitschy music video Rick once appeared in. The reality of Rick's current standing is starkly apparent; his long-running western series, "Bounty Law," has been axed, a casualty of his escalating struggles with alcoholism. This same issue necessitates Cliff's constant presence as his driver, a role born out of necessity and concern. Rick's immediate professional prospect is a villainous turn on the television series "Lancer." Schwarz, however, has grander, albeit more unconventional, ambitions for Rick, suggesting a move to Rome to star in Spaghetti Westerns. Rick, however, views this proposal with dismay, confiding in Cliff his deep-seated fear that his career is in irreversible decline, that he has become a has-been.

Later that day, Cliff drives Rick back to his Hollywood abode. Upon arrival, they discover that Rick's new neighbors are none other than the celebrated director Roman Polanski, fresh off the success of "Rosemary's Baby," and his wife, the luminous and ascending starlet Sharon Tate. The presence of such prominent figures instantly lifts Rick's spirits. He harbors a hopeful belief that a director of Polanski's caliber could be the catalyst for revitalizing his flagging career. Buoyed by this newfound optimism, Rick dedicates the evening to rehearsing his lines for "Lancer." Meanwhile, Cliff heads back to his modest trailer, a solitary existence shared only with his faithful dog, Brandy.

The following day, Sunday, February 9th, 1969, sees Polanski and Tate at a glamorous party hosted at the Playboy Mansion. Amidst the revelry, they reconnect with friends, including Jay Sebring, a renowned hairstylist, and the iconic actor Steve McQueen. Sharon, drawn to the music, takes to the dance floor, while McQueen engages in conversation with Connie Stevens. McQueen observes Sharon's calculated interactions, suggesting she's using Polanski to provoke jealousy in Sebring. Stevens, with a knowing smile, comments on Sharon's apparent preference for diminutive men, likening them to "12-year-old boys."

The evening progresses, and after Polanski departs, Sharon spends time with Jay at her residence. Their quiet interlude is interrupted by an unexpected visitor: Charles Manson. He claims to be looking for the previous occupants of the house, friends he believed still resided there. After a brief apology for the mistaken visit, Manson departs.

Cliff, ever the dutiful driver, escorts Rick to the set of "Lancer" for the day's filming. Later, Rick requests Cliff's assistance with a minor household chore – fixing the antenna on his roof. As Cliff leaves Rick's property, he spots Manson, who offers a casual smile and a wave. This seemingly innocuous encounter is juxtaposed with a flashback that sheds light on Cliff's past. We see Rick persuading an old acquaintance, Randy, to give Cliff a job. Randy expresses reservations, citing persistent rumors that Cliff may have been responsible for his wife Billie's death, a crime for which he allegedly escaped prosecution. The flashback offers a glimpse of a tense scene on a boat, with Billie vociferously nagging Cliff. The visual cuts away before definitively revealing whether Cliff acted on his apparent anger, specifically before he could use a harpoon gun he was holding. Despite his reservations, Randy eventually brings Cliff to the set, where he encounters Bruce Lee. Lee is animatedly discussing his desire to fight Muhammad Ali. Lee, overhearing Cliff's amusement, challenges him to a sparring match. Lee gains the upper hand initially, but Cliff retaliates with a powerful maneuver, slamming Lee into a car. Their hand-to-hand combat is interrupted by Janet, Randy's wife and a fellow stunt coordinator. She is incensed by the fight and the significant damage Cliff has inflicted on a vehicle, leading to his immediate dismissal.

Meanwhile, Sharon seeks out a local cinema, discovering that her film, "The Wrecking Crew," is being screened. At the ticket counter, she inquires about a ticket, then playfully asks if her starring role warrants any special treatment. The manager emerges, recognizing her from her earlier success in "Valley of the Dolls," and graciously invites her inside. Throughout the film, Sharon is privy to the audience's delighted reactions to her performance, their laughter and cheers punctuating her on-screen moments.

Back on the "Lancer" set, Rick undergoes his hair and makeup preparations. He strikes up a conversation with Trudi, his eight-year-old co-star, a dedicated method actor. As Rick smokes a cigarette, they discuss their respective reading materials. The exchange triggers a moment of vulnerability for Rick, who expresses his profound sadness over his perceived professional decline. Filming commences, and Rick shares the scene with James Stacey, the series' lead actor portraying Johnny Madrid. During the take, Rick's inebriation causes him to falter and forget his lines. He retreats to his trailer, experiencing a brief but intense emotional breakdown, before steeling himself with a renewed determination to perform better.

Cliff, having driven away from Rick's residence, notices a familiar hitchhiker, Pussycat, whom he's seen periodically throughout the weekend. He offers her a ride, agreeing to take her to Spahn Ranch, a place with a shared history for Rick and Cliff, having been a former filming location. Upon arrival, Cliff discovers that Spahn Ranch has transformed into a commune populated primarily by women. Pussycat suggests Cliff linger to meet Manson, but Cliff's immediate objective is to speak with the ranch's owner, George Spahn. The women at the ranch attempt to dissuade him, claiming Spahn is asleep. Undeterred, Cliff proceeds to Spahn's house. He's intercepted by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, who reiterates that Spahn is resting, implying she was recently intimate with him. Cliff insists on waking Spahn, but the elderly owner, now blind, doesn't recognize Cliff. Cliff questions whether Spahn is being exploited by the women, a suggestion Spahn dismisses, urging Cliff to leave. Outside, Cliff observes one of the male commune members deliberately puncturing his front tire. He retrieves his belongings and demands the man repair the damage. The man's defiant "fuck you" provokes Cliff, who responds with a swift and brutal series of punches, felling the man in front of the assembled women. As the women scramble for assistance, Cliff makes his escape in his vehicle just as Tex Watson arrives.

Returning to the "Lancer" set, Rick films a scene where he holds Trudi's character captive, with Scott Lancer, played by Wayne Maunder, intervening. Rick improvises with his slimy villain persona, delivering a moment where he forcefully pushes Trudi away. Following the take, he receives effusive praise from both the director and Trudi, who declares it the finest acting she has ever witnessed, a compliment that visibly moves Rick to tears.

A temporal leap six months into the future reveals a voiceover from Randy. He explains that Rick and Cliff ultimately journeyed to Rome to fulfill their Spaghetti Western commitments. During their time in Italy, Rick met and married the Italian film actress Francesca Capucci.

The narrative then shifts to August 8th, 1969. Rick and Cliff have returned to Los Angeles, and a mutual understanding dawns that their paths are diverging. They decide to spend one final evening together, sharing drinks and camaraderie at Rick's home with Francesca. Concurrently, a heavily pregnant Sharon Tate hosts a small gathering at her residence, attended by Jay, Wojciech Frykowski, and Abigail Folger.

Cliff retrieves a cigarette purchased from Pussycat, which he discovers has been laced with acid. He proceeds to smoke it, embarking on a psychedelic journey. Outside, a car with a malfunctioning muffler pulls up, driven by Tex Watson and accompanied by fellow "family" members Patricia Krenwinkel (Katie), Susan Atkins (Sadie), and Linda Kasabian (Flowerchild). Their initial intention is to murder Sharon and her guests. However, a boisterous and inebriated Rick emerges from his house, angrily confronting them about the disruptive noise from their vehicle and ordering them to leave. Despite Katie's apparent reach for a weapon, Tex drives away. At the bottom of the hill, the group recognizes Rick from his television appearances. Sadie suggests they target Rick and anyone else in his home. The others concur, but as they begin their ascent, Flowerchild realizes she has forgotten her knife. Tex entrusts her with the car keys to retrieve it. However, she seizes the opportunity to abandon the group and drive away. The remaining three press forward with their grim objective.

The trio approaches Rick's house. Tex and Katie breach the front entrance, while Sadie enters through the side. Cliff witnesses their intrusion, but his hallucinatory state renders him both unafraid and uncertain of the reality unfolding before him. When Tex draws his firearm on Cliff, Cliff unleashes Brandy, his dog, who ferociously attacks Tex, biting his arm and groin. Sadie attempts to charge Cliff with her knife, but Cliff retaliates by hurling a can of dog food, striking her in the face. Cliff then brutally assaults Tex, stomping on his face. He then grabs Sadie, repeatedly smashing her head against the furniture until she is deceased. Brandy also inflicts bites on Sadie before she flees, shrieking and flailing, towards the swimming pool where Rick is lounging. Rick emerges, wielding his flamethrower, and engulfs Sadie in flames, her body consumed by fire in his pool. Amidst the chaos, Cliff sustains a non-fatal gunshot wound.

Paramedics and law enforcement arrive at the scene. Cliff is transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, while Francesca is deeply shaken by the horrific events. After bidding farewell to Cliff, Rick notices Jay beckoning him from Sharon's gate. Rick recounts the night's terrifying events. Jay, recognizing Rick from television, informs Sharon of her neighbor's identity. They extend an invitation to Rick for a drink. Rick accepts, and in a surreal twist of fate, he finally meets Sharon and her friends, forging an unexpected connection in the aftermath of a night of unimaginable violence.