Saturday, C4, 11:05pm
Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a kaleidoscopic love letter to 1969 Los Angeles, a city on the cusp of cultural upheaval. Set against the backdrop of the Manson Family murders, the film interweaves the lives of fading TV actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), and Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie). Through meticulous period detail, Tarantino recreates the sun-soaked streets of Hollywood, where the studio system is collapsing, and New Hollywood is on the rise. The film blends fact and fiction with a breezy, meandering narrative that is as much about the vibe of the era as it is about its characters.
A major part of the film’s nostalgic magic is the soundtrack, which acts as a cultural time capsule. Composed of tracks pulled directly from 1960s AM radio, the music provides a sonic backdrop to the waning golden age of Hollywood. Deep cuts like Los Bravos' "Bring a Little Lovin'" and Neil Diamond’s "Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show" capture the eclectic, freewheeling energy of the time. It’s a testament to how Tarantino uses music not just as atmosphere but as an extension of the story itself. The juxtaposition of iconic songs like Paul Revere & The Raiders' "Good Thing" against violent or emotionally intense scenes creates a striking contrast, underscoring the dissonance between the nostalgic sheen of Hollywood and the brutal reality lurking beneath.
The soundtrack's brilliance lies in its ability to evoke both a specific time and a universal feeling of transition, mirroring the film’s themes of aging, change, and obsolescence. Tracks like Deep Purple's "Hush" reverberate with a carefree coolness, reflecting the effortless charm of Cliff Booth, while Miss Toni Fisher's "The Big Hurt" echoes the growing disillusionment that surrounds Rick Dalton’s fading stardom. Tarantino masterfully uses these songs to both ground his film in a precise historical moment and create a timeless meditation on cultural shifts, making Once Upon a Time in Hollywood a poignant tribute to a bygone era.
- Daisy Rae