"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: Review of Quentin Tarantino's Epic Tale of Fame, Friendship, Murders

"Experience the gritty reality of Hollywood's fading stars, a war veteran's struggle for work, and the dark secrets hidden in the Manson Family's infamous Spahn Ranch. Follow the thrilling journey of Rick Dalton and his loyal stunt double, Cliff Booth, as they navigate the unpredictable world of showbiz and encounter the terrifying danger lurking behind the glitz and glamour. With appearances by Hollywood legends and a shocking twist ending, this is a movie you won't forget. Watch our review of Quentin Tarantino's latest masterpiece, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a 2019 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It features a large ensemble cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie.

In February 1969, Hollywood actor Rick Dalton, star of the 1950s TV Western series Bounty Law, fears his career is fading, with his recent roles being guest appearances as villains. His agent Marvin Schwarz advises him to make Spaghetti Westerns in Italy, which Dalton considers beneath him. Dalton's best friend and stunt double, Cliff Booth – a war veteran who lives in a trailer with his pit bull, Brandy – drives Dalton around due to his DUI arrests and driver's license suspension. Booth struggles to find stunt work because of rumors he murdered his wife.

The next day, Booth recalls a sparring contest he had with Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Hornet resulting in Booth's firing. Meanwhile, Charles Manson stops by the Polanski residence looking for Terry Melcher, who used to live there, but is turned away by Jay Sebring. As Tate runs errands, she stops at the Fox Bruin Theater to watch herself in The Wrecking Crew.

Dalton is cast as the villain in the pilot for the TV Western Lancer and strikes up a conversation with eight-year-old co-star Trudi Frazer. During filming, Dalton struggles to remember his lines and suffers a breakdown in his trailer. He subsequently delivers a strong performance that impresses Frazer and the director, Sam Wanamaker.

Booth picks up a hitchhiker, "Pussycat" and takes her to Spahn Ranch, where he once worked on the set of Bounty Law. He observes the many "hippies" living there. Suspecting they may be taking advantage of the ranch's elderly owner, George Spahn, Booth insists on checking on him despite "Squeaky"'s objections. Booth speaks with the nearly blind Spahn, who dismisses his concerns. Upon leaving, Booth discovers that "Clem" has punctured a tire on Dalton's car. Booth beats "Clem" and makes him change the tire. "Tex" is summoned to deal with the situation but arrives as Booth is driving away.
After watching Dalton's guest performance on an episode of The F.B.I., Schwarz books him as the lead in Sergio Corbucci's Spaghetti Western Nebraska Jim. Dalton takes Booth with him for a six-month stint in Italy. Returning to Los Angeles on August 8, 1969, Dalton and Booth go out for drinks to commemorate their time together, then go back to Dalton's house. Meanwhile, Tate and Sebring go out for dinner with friends, then return to Tate's house. Booth smokes an LSD-laced cigarette purchased earlier and takes Brandy for a walk while Dalton prepares drinks. "Tex", "Sadie", "Katie", and "Flowerchild" arrive outside in preparation to murder everyone in Tate's house, but Dalton hears the car's muffler and orders them off the street. Recognizing him, the four change their plans and decide to kill him instead, after "Sadie" reasons that Hollywood has "taught them to murder". "Flowerchild" deserts them, speeding off with their car.
Breaking into Dalton's house, they confront Booth and Capucci. "Tex" aims his pistol at Booth. Now tripping on the LSD, Booth chats with the intruders, remembering them from Spahn Ranch. Booth signals Brandy to attack "Tex". "Sadie" lunges at Booth with a knife. Booth throws a can at her face and signals Brandy to attack her. Capucci punches "Katie" and runs away. "Katie" dives at Booth after he fights and kills "Tex". Realizing that "Sadie"'s knife is stuck in his thigh, Booth kills "Katie" by smashing her face against household decor, then passes out. "Sadie" stumbles outside into the pool firing "Tex"'s pistol. Dalton, floating in the pool, listening to music on headphones, oblivious to the chaos inside, is alarmed. He retrieves a flamethrower retained from The 14 Fists of McClusky and incinerates "Sadie". Booth later regains consciousness and is taken away in an ambulance, and Sebring and Tate invite Dalton over for a drink, which he accepts.