"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" Teases
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 11:34AM by Nathaniel R
After two absolutely hideous photoshopped posters (we can't even post them they're so ugly) we were beginning to worry about Quentin Tarantino's Manson-era Hollywood tale starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt (as a famous actor and his stunt double) and Margot Robbie as Roman Polanski's late wife Sharon Tate. But the teaser has restored hope...
We're surprised at the lighthearted tone and guessing the Manson Murders are more backdrop than actual story. That said, you'd lose lots of money betting against Tarantino not mixing brutal violence with uncomfortable comedy (see Inglorious Basterds or, well, anything).
Favourite moment of the trailer? That's gotta be Leo and Sharon's individual dance moments give or take Mike Moh's eerily perfect snapshot of 1969 Bruce Lee.
Reader Comments (43)
I am like... extremely not a QT fan. but if Brad "carries the load" in the sense I hope he does, then I'm all about this film. Otherwise, I'll pass.
It's just a teaser, but it looks lame to me.
Tarantino's films haven't been the same since Sally Menke died. I doubt I'll see this unless it's a big hit with critics.
Also, Leo is not aging well (especially next to Brad).
Mike Moh as Bruce Lee was right on the money...unbelievable. But my favourite part of the trailer was DiCaprio's "Rick fucking Dalton;" it's nice to see he has enough of a sense of humour to send up his own screen persona.
I have had this sinking feeling ever since this project was announced. Tarantino taking on this story really gives me the cringes all over. This was a still shocking real-life tragedy that I feel he will turn into his own brand of frat-boy shenanigans. This "fun" trailer does nothing to dispel that feeling. I do like the guys' jackets and Margot Robbie's hair. Sigh.
Leo looks amazing in this. Mike Moh was spot on as Bruce Lee. Excited to see how Margot does.
It looks like one of the California episodes of Mad Men. Amazing!
Margot Robbie is officially a movie star. Excited to see how she approaches this role. Sharon Tate is both someone famous and yet not quite solidifed in the public’s imagination beyond her tragic fate so there’s a considerable amount of breathing room in which to play her. Glad to see she seems to be going for full-tilt charisma and individuality rather than a rigid and “respectful” impersonation.
I am here for the Brad Pitt Oscar narrative (as long as it's supporting and doesn't fuck up the Antonio Banderas Oscar narrative).
I miss 1990's Tarantino,he's left me cold every year he has a film out.
Leo tries so hard now when he used to be effortless. He's exhausting. The obsession with Sharon Tate is weird and tacky. I can't imagine QT is interested beyond shock value but we'll see. There's an interesting cast hidden somewhere in this uninteresting teaser.
I imagine that the teaser leans comedy, while the (full) trailer will skew darker given the movie's raison d'être: The Manson Family Murders. Otherwise, the Sharon Tate sequences come off as awfully disjointed considering the fact that Rick Dalton's being her neighbor is the entire connective thread. Hope for the best, I guess.
Based on the teaser alone, I'm apathetic, but considering my disappointment with most Tarantino films, I'm erring on the side of I won't like it.
@Sawyer
No worries. Antonio won't be nominated.
I get this site generally doesn’t like Leo but idc, he looks great.
Nope, no way. I co-sign markgordonuk's remark that 90's Tarantino was more interesting. I haven't enjoyed a Tarantino film since "Jackie Brown" which was based on the great Elmore Leonard's novel. IMHO Tarantino's writing skills are way over-praised.
I also agree with Suzanne that the loss of Sally Menke has also contributed to a decline in quality.
I shudder to think about the Star Trek project that he is involved with. (please no)
Tarantino’s last 2 films were bloated, self-indulgent, self-parody. ‘The ninth film by Quentin Tarantino’ declaration makes me groan and think this will be nothing different... however Mike Moh looks spot on... hope this film makes him a huge star.
I'm seeing this. Its QT, he puts my ass in the seat!
I'm most intrigued to see what Brenda Vaccaro's role is.
Suzanne, brookesboy, Lady Edith, and more...
Total agreement from me.
I used to love Tarantino. “Jackie Brown” is my favourite of his movies. And yes, we can guess now how Sally Menke helped shape and trim the films they did together.
But ever since this was announced, I’ve thought he’s lost his way, mistaking his worst impulses for his virtues.
Does this happen in every profession, or is it just more noticeable in the arts, that it is so hard to maintain a whole career for years with good sense and self-awareness? After the initial success with talent or connections or luck, does a person need to have other qualities for the next career stage? Like maybe practicality, thoughtfullness, kindness?
But that’s just naive. For continued success, you need to be surrounded by yes men, have pots of money, have feral publicists, and be just as awful as you can be.
Does the world need a hokey film with Charles Manson murders? I find Leo and Brad to be really white, boring and overrated.
This site worships white actresses 24/7 but white actors is where they draw the line, lol.
Dear anyone who thinks they’re contributing by chiming in to say they haven’t liked a Tarantino movie in 20 years:
You’re not interesting.
Hullabaloo! Glad to see the Karmann Ghia from Kill Bill making an appearance.
Yes because Quentin's love for cinema shines through
so happy that /3rtful still knows everything. Close????
If this is any good, I expect a Best Supporting Actress win for Robbie regardless of the quality of her performance. The momentum is there and she’s exactly their type.
/3rtful
No worries. Pitt won't be nominated either.
Jenn & ? -- what is the obsession with skin color in these comments? And the comment about "drawing the line at white actors" is confusing since the post contained no derogatory commetns about anyone in the movie, including the male actors. FTR I love Brad Pitt. Have since Thelma & Louise. Not a fan of Leo but we all have our actors we respond to and actors we don't.
Shmeebs -- totally. Considering she probably came close for MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS despite no one really caring about the movie.
Adri -- i'm sure it's difficult in the arts especially to maintain self-awareness because of how public those professions are. When you're successful in a very public way it tends to distort the world and I believe 'yes men' are an organic human-nature phenomenon once someone becomes famous because people are obsessed with success and fame and the like and want to be around it or share in it in some ways. This is why everyone who ever becomes famous needs to keep the friends they had before they were famous close by. People who can be real with you.
I don’t see how my post is confusing. That user said they found the two lead male actors in this boring and overrated as well as “really white” which I found amusingly hypocritical because they probably worship white actresses, as most people do on this site.
Tarantino is egotistical and this looks campy until you realize it's Charlie Manson porn. Brad is wooden and Leo is greasy. Pass!
? -- oh, i get it now. I thought you were responding to the post itself. But anyway. I hope one day people get over their skin color obsession.
Apart from the atrocious posters and the icky Sharon Tate plot, I'm a Yes.
I don’t know why everyone is obsessed with Margot Robbie she is s bland actress with a pretty face.
Liberals hate Margot Robbie because she's white. Being a blue-eyed blonde gorgeous heterosexual doesn' t help. Anyway she's talented, smart and is having a career. You can fight for diversity and accept who isn't part of it.
Glad that Robbie is in this role instead of JLawrwnce (? - find another site to whine on). This fluffy trailer now almost wants to see what happened inside of Tate’s house-will that be shown?
More intrigued to see the list of big names that seem to appear in other roles.
Tarentino is still an Event Picture. I'm cautiously optimistic about the story, but the casting and production design look fabulous. I am there.
Pitch - her looks has everything to do with why people want her to succeed bc she’s pretty. There are many other White actresses that are more talented in my opinion. She was the pretty girl in the Wolf of Wall Street her performance wasn’t spectacular or anything and all of a sudden oh let’s put her in every movie now people are acting like she’s Meryl Streep or Blanchett, she is not even Hathaway. She’s just an average actress with a pretty face IMO.
I'm in the minority of TFE readers that really likes DiCaprio and Tarantino, even though I didn't care much for The Revenant or The Hateful 8. Still, I would give them both the benefit of the doubt based on body of work. I legit LOVED her in I, Tonya and she was terrific even in utter garbage like Suicide Squad, so Robbie is definitely a big plus for me. Also, Brad Pitt is an underrated gem, especially in morr comedic parts.
The only thing that gives me pause is the Manson murders backstory. Violence against pregnant women is one of my few triggers and God only knows how Tarantino will handle that. He did it greatly in Kill Bill, so hopefully he can pull it off again.
I lean yes.
I agree with ? people are obsessed with White actresses for doing the minimum. Robbie's performance in Suicide Squad was nothing special, I could envision someone like Stone in that role with a much better performance Robbie didn't bring anything special to that role at all. If she was a minority people would say she is overrated. Her White Privilege allows her to get multiple opportunities even if her acting isn't extraordinary.
Hard to believe this retro campy trailer has anything to do with one of the most gruesome mass murders of its era, including a woman who begged for her unborn baby's life before being slaughtered. Pass.
Tarantino Universe anyone?
Notice the light blue Karmann Ghia convertible Cliff Booth is driving around in? What other Tarantino character drove that same car? It’s an obscure car. Think about it. Maybe a hand-me-down from father to daughter. Remember when they killed Hitler? I think they’re going to kill Manson and Sharon Tate will have her baby. Beatrix Kiddo. (I’m sure I’m wrong. But maybe?).
TomP: If that IS the angle Tarantino's going for? I...yeah, that sounds like him.