How Real Is Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
The past couple of weeks have seen some interesting developments for movie fans, with reports coming in about what is being referred to as “The Summer of Infinity” or “Infinity War Part 1.” While many may be focused on the upcoming release of Avengers: Infinity War this week, there has been an abundance of other news that seems to indicate something much bigger is on its way.
There are rumors floating around online claiming that we could see not one but two new Captain America films within the next year! There have also been whispers about a potential Black Panther 2 film, and now word comes from none other than Brie Larson herself that she will return as Thor for at least one more installment. And lastly, there are stories surfacing suggesting that Jared Leto is in fact leaving Suicide Squad right after filming his final scene.
As you can probably tell, everything about these movies sounds very real and possible. It feels like things are moving quickly towards production, which is always a good thing. We should all be hoping for a fast summer blockbuster season!
If any of those things happen then it would make sense to assume that they would be followed by another big event later in the fall or winter. With every rumor, story, and bit of information people gather, it becomes harder and harder to deny that something special is happening.
It is a combination of fact and fiction
There have been many comparisons drawn between director Quentin Tarantino’s new movie, All The Way, and his previous works because they share some similarities.
Just like his movies before it, All The Way features characters living in the not-too-distant past that are struggling with their lives while also looking to make changes or accomplish goals.
It also includes references and parallels to other films and stories from history and beyond. These include everything from characters and settings to storylines and themes.
However, there are several key differences between this film and those before which makes it stand out more clearly as its own work.
It is a combination of history and Hollywood
Recent reviews of Quentin Tarantino’s new movie, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” have been overwhelmingly positive. The film has earned almost universal praise for its rich production values, impressive cast, and overall entertainment value.
Some even go so far as to say that it is one of his best films ever made. While there are some who may not like everything about the movie, most agree that it is an incredibly well-crafted work of art.
However, many viewers may be surprised by how historically accurate several scenes in the film actually are. This includes everything from the hairstyles and clothing styles down to specific locations and landmarks.
Many people believe that these details add significant depth to the story and help make it more believable. Some even call it integral to the plot!
None of this was accidental though.
It is a combination of reality and fantasy
Many have labeled it as pure fiction, but this movie seems to add an extra layer to that assertion by incorporating very real events into its plot. Chief among these are the shooting at the Chateau Marmont and the assassination of John F Kennedy.
The former was inspired by the murder scene which took place here in 1984. The latter was directly adapted from another famous killing - the one of President Abraham Lincoln.
In both cases, someone walks up to the target and opens fire. In the case of JFK, some say his death was due to him being too powerful, while others claim he represented threat to their personal or professional situation.
With regards to the Chateau, there’s no definitive answer as to why someone would go through with such a heinous act. Some say they were paid to do so, while others believe it was for the thrill of taking a life.
It is a combination of past and present
The movie begins with an establishing shot of what appears to be Los Angeles, California around 1970. A voice over states that this city and these times are disappearing as we all know them. This setting then shifts to another one, clearly depicting a house or apartment building but with no specific details other than it looks like a home.
The camera slowly zooms out to show there’s nothing outside the window except for trees and buildings. An old-fashioned radio can be heard faintly coming through the space where the windows were.
After a few seconds, two people enter frame together. One is tall and thin while the other has short hair and is slightly overweight. They seem casual and comfortable with each other as they talk.
Their conversation seems very natural until the fat person puts his hand on the thin person’s shoulder and says something along the lines of “You really need to do something about this.” At which point, both men start laughing loudly. After their laughter dies down, the thinner man points towards the sky and shouts, "It's beautiful! God damn it, it's fucking beautiful!"
This brings up another voiceover saying how humanity will never feel truly content unless they also feel beauty inside and out. He goes onto say that most people only see a fraction of this beauty within themselves and throughout time we learn that those who enjoy beauty gain strength and inspiration from it.
It is based on events that happened
Many have criticized the movie as being completely fictional, with some even going so far to say it is not really about anything at all. This type of review seems very close-minded and argumentative.
A better way to look at this would be to ask yourself what parts are real and which ones are made up?
The setting and characters of the film exist somewhere between fact and fiction. Some details such as actors’s personalities, scenes, and storylines may or may not be actual events, but there is enough relation to reality to make them seem authentic.
Certain things like Rhonda Peters (Natalie Vanier) and Bob Broderick (Robert Forster) actually meeting and talking about Marilyn Monroe before she died comes directly from an event that occurred back in 1981.
There was a rumor spread by fans that Robert Kennedy had killed her and he did address her death in a speech, so these elements definitely add credence to the story.
It is based on actors and actresses that portrayed these characters
Many have criticized the movie as being too focused on its cast, claiming that it makes it feel like a constant celebration of individuals’ success. This criticism seems to mostly come from people who believe acting is an art form that should be appreciated not only by those watching you perform, but also yourself.
Acting is definitely an artistic expression, but I disagree with the assertion that this film uses its cast heavily. The characters themselves are barely mentioned most of the time!
Most of the scenes feature either Leonardo DiCaprio or Margot Robbie talking about their character and/or someone else interacting with them, making it hard to tell what exactly they were trying to say. There is one scene where both Leo and his daughter play a game of make-believe, which was interesting to see. But aside from that, there is very little depth to any of the characters.
It is a tribute to classic films
Recent reviews of Quentin Tarantino’s ninth feature, his first movie since The Hateful Eight back in 2015, have been overwhelmingly positive. Many praise it for its fast-paced action scenes, clever dialogue, and overall entertainment value. While some may criticize it for being too stylized and reliant on flashy effects and camera work, or say that it feels more like a concept album than an actual film, this does not take away from how well it fits into the genre.
Tarantino has always wanted to make movies that feel like old ones. He wants his audience to experience cinematic nostalgia just as he did while growing up watching many classics such as The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966), A Fistful Of Dollars (1964), Rio Bravo (1959), On Dangerous Ground (1967), True Grit (1969), The Wild Bunch (1970), Dirty Harry (1971), etc.
He also mentioned how filmmakers use certain tropes and settings so heavily in popular culture that they become “ingredients” in our collective psyche. For example, the gun in Clint Eastwood’s hand is so associated with him that it now conveys strength and self-confidence. Or, you can place someone in a room full of items they associate with love and see what emotions they are able to elicit.
These types of examples show that Tarantino is very aware of the power cinema holds over us.
It is a reference to several classic films
Recent reviews of Quentin Tarantino’s new movie, “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood,” have been very polarized. Some praise it for its clever use of references to other works, while others complain about how little substance there seems to be in the film.
Many viewers seem to struggle with whether or not they like the characters in the movie. They may also find some of the storylines too contrived, or simply unbelievable.
While these are all valid criticisms, they mostly apply to what many refer to as the ‘summer blockbuster’ version of the movie - the one that was heavily promoted at cinemas across America and around the world.
This version features lots of flashy special effects, large scale action scenes and dramatic plot developments which often feel forced upon the viewer.
It is definitely an entertaining watch, but it is not the same thing as reading a book or watching a movie where the story really feels natural and flows from event to event easily.
That style of storytelling is something that most people are still developing as children. Most adults have mastered this technique, however.