Fans of Quentin Tarantino probably know only too well what the “carrot and stick” principle feels like. One moment the cult director delivers an absolutely stunning, endlessly entertaining flick that delights everyone. In the next he talks about a film project that he will never shoot – and breaks our hearts.
One of these works, which was never fully completed or continued, is Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, his personal love letter and farewell hymn to Hollywood cinema in the 1960s. If you want to see the brilliant acting and absurd action in it, you can currently do so as part of Amazon Prime’s streaming offer. It’s just a shame that the project will never continue.
In Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood on Amazon Prime, Quentin Tarantino takes us on a journey through time
Los Angeles, 1969. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) wants nothing more than to be a big Hollywood star. Although he is known for his iconic TV roles, he is not really taken seriously in the cinema world. In extra time, his loyal, chaotic stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) feels the same way.
Sony Pictures
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
But the two don’t give up so easily and work really hard to get the recognition they want. At the same time, Rick’s neighbors are celebrating Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) as a rising star in the Hollywood sky, constant success and wild parties.
But while at the end of the 1960s, on the one hand, flower power, films, peace and love for everyone were being preached, there was rumbling underground. A group of young people under the spiritual leadership of one Charles Manson makes plans for a new social order. And Rick and Sharon’s neighborhood becomes a target.
Tarantino’s last film was supposed to be a Once Upon a Time sequel – but now it will never come
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is perhaps Tarantino’s most picturesque work and is certainly one of his most interesting projects. Here the créme de la créme of acting stars get their hands on the handle, play their hearts out and sweep us all in one turbulent finale just go away. Brad Pitt’s Cliff Booth in particular is a gruff and charming highlight.
The planned reunion with him would have been all the nicer. As Tarantino’s official final film, he originally planned The Movie Critic, a story about one frustrated film critics in California in the 70s – and increasingly a continuation of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Even Cliff Booth should have been back.
Sony Pictures
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
As the Hollywood Reporter reports, after some work on the script, Tarantino found The Movie Critic easy nothing more than a worthy graduation film for his career. A fate that has already befallen the long-awaited and ultimately canceled Star Trek film. Now the big final project won’t be either film.
What Tarantino ultimately presents to us as his last film and what he wants to thrill and shock us with for the very last time remains to be seen. Until then, we can definitely do that loving meditation on 60s cinema in Once Upon a Time… enjoy in Hollywood. This is currently possible in the streaming offer on Amazon Prime.
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