FILM OF THE WEEK

★★★★

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) 9.00pm, Saturday, Channel 4

“I could be one pool party away from starring in a Polanski movie!” Quentin Tarantino is a lm-maker who divides audiences, but his ninth movie, the one he himself describes as his “magnum opus” is a gem. Set in 1969, when the studio system was coming to an end and the young gun directors (Penn, Coppola, Lucas, etc.) were about to be o ered the keys to the kingdom, Tarantino’s story is a paean to the Hollywood of his youth. The story revolves around the relationship between a sensitive but fading TV star Rick Dalton (Leo Dicaprio) and his rough-and-tumble stunt man, Cli Booth (Oscar-winner Brad Pitt). Like many of his generation, Dalton can only look on with envy as the new breed of stars (including Steve Mcqueen, brilliantly portrayed by Damien Lewis) frolic in the Playboy Mansion and land all the juicy roles. Meanwhile, all he’s being o ered are B-movie spaghetti westerns by old-school agent, Marvin Schwarz (Al Pacino). Rick is equally envious of his next-door neighbours, rising actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and her partner, Roman Polanski, the latter riding high following the success of Rosemary’s Baby. But there’s a bigger y in the ointment. The arrival of Charles Manson (Damon Herriman) and his sinister band of devotees, however, heralds the dark side of the Hollywood dream. Beautifully shot on 35mm by Robert Richardson, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood o ers all the classic Tarantino tropes, though some, including the rat-tat-tat quotable dialogue and the ultraviolence, are dialled down in the service of the story. If anything, the pop culture references are dialled up, as Quentin channels the TV series (Mannix, The Green Hornet) and movies (take your pick!) of his formative years. The heart of the movie is the relationship between Pitt and Leo Dicaprio, and it’s clear that there is real chemistry between these two bona de movie stars, on and o screen. Equally impressive is Barbara Ling’s production design and an eclectically superb soundtrack.