Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood reviewed by Robbie Collin 

Why does Robbie always end up reviewing the very film I want Mark to review....

He's wearing a shirt over his shirt.

DiCaprio was bloody fantastic in this film. The more I think about his performance, the better it/he gets.

Ok now that we know Mark and Robbie have split opinion on this we need to see another debate like the Hereditary one

So glad Robbie did review for this. Mark would never be so detailed or give such deep appreciation for Tarantino film.

I didn't know what to think of it. I expected so much more. Nothing really happens throughout the entire film. Suspense is built, only to be deflated every time. Plot lines are established, only to go nowhere. The film is mostly people driving in cars listening to music. Not once was I bored by the film and I was fairly entertained throughout, but I left the screen feeling that it could have been so much more. Don't get me wrong, I love films in which nothing happens. Give me a 3 hour film about nothing in particular, with a good script and interesting characters and I am a happy man. Yet this just lacked something.

Do not understand all the comments here criticising Robbie and complaining about why Mark hasn't reviewed the film, always preferred Robbie's reviews, so much more analysis here and doesn't waste half the review explaining the plot, keep em coming Robbie!

The forced hipster fashion sense aside, I rather like Robbie now. He's a darn sight more articulate and thoughtful than most of the amateur review channels on you tube, that's for certain! God, I miss the days when people had to have talent to get on the tv!

As a young Tarantino fan, I’ve never heard of the Manson murders. I felt nothing in any scene except the finale. Now I’ve done some research and have a whole new portrait of the movie. Gonna watch it again and maybe get another feel.

I think this is Tarantino's best. Near perfection & edited so it drives the story well. It leads you to the conclusion (of the movie - of the era) And (mark of a good film!) it's almost more enjoyable the 2nd time you see it over the first! (Perfect music selection as well) Congrats!

As soon as I saw Pitt and he started talking, I thought Robert Redford.

Sharon Tate's films 'are not great films'. Actually 'Fearless Vampire Killers' is a cracking movie.

Not sure if Robbie meant the climactic sequence itself was “deeply moving”. Definitely the scene following it but the climactic sequence itself was rather satisfying as much as it was shocking.

This is my favourite review of once upon a time, this guy really gets and understands it 👍

Brad pitt stole the show

The ending of this movie is brilliantly conceived. Tarantino knows that his audience is aware of exactly what happened to Sharon Tate. He takes that knowledge and subverts it in a way that is quite thoughtful. There is what happened, and there is what might have happened, or could have happened, or should have happened. I normally don't like graphically violent scenes in movies, such as American History X or Drive, but in this case, yes the violence is OTT, but it is also quite cartoonish.

Robbie’s the best replacement for when Mark’s not around. Great review

Love Robbie, I think he's a very knowledgeable reviewer. My favourite apart from Mark. PS: I loved the film.

anyone else think the film needs to have better pacing?

Having now seen the film... the ending to this review is one of the most sublime I can ever recall.

Didn't make much of an impression on me, Tarantino's diminished focus after Sally Menke's passing is now quite evident, and that's not a bad thing, merely a reflection on what was a 1 in a million creative partnership. There's still gold to be mined but most of the allegories and observations are fairly heavy handed and obvious. The brazen amount of foot fetishism had reached an hysterically funny level, so that was an amusing distraction. It's interesting, but it's no Short Cuts, a solid 7 out of 10. It's good that on some kind of level this idea that Quentin says he's good for 10, I think he's intrinsically aware of coming to the end of his creative voice in film, and that's a healthy thing to admit.

The very last scene where Sharon met Rick was very moving. This is what should have happened.

Great review. Loved the film as well - look forward to watching it again!

Supposedly the original cut of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood was 4 hours long, and I would have gladly sat there for the original cut and loved every minute of it. I loved escaping into the 1969 world that Tarantino created.

To add to the meta-ness of this film is the fact that it's partly about the end of old Hollywood and the beginning of new Hollywood and it's release in the present day where that New Hollywood is ending and a new era is beginning (I mean, Scorcese's releasing movies on Netflix for God's sake) and we have no idea where it's going, good or bad, or a mixture of both, is very interesting

This guy has a serious edinburgh uni accent

Great review. I'm off to see this one again.

Some of you are exhausting. I love Mark, but is what he says about this Tarantino going to differ from what he says about the majority of his others? No, probably not.

The fight between Bruce Lee and Cliff was to show that Cliff was a good fighter, it wasn't pointless. Tarantino says he buries exposition in all of this bullshit so it's not so noticeable.

It's interesting to hear so many interpretations of this movie

Wish Kermode would have reviewed this

Nice review, thanks for making it.

I go to Tarantino's movie theatre on New Beverly - used to be an old porno theatre - where he personally curates an incredible festival of nightly double features on 16 + 35mm print. Every single night. Obscure, unknown, as well as classic movies - and he invites the cast and crew to come and talk about the films during the intermission. You can hear Mr Tarantino himself, laughing from somewhere in the small dark auditorium. He held the premiere to 'Once Upon A Time ... In Hollywood' here - and in the movie, Catherine Tate, on the night of the attack, as they go to dinner at El Coyote on New Beverly mentions ".. is that a premiere at the porno theatre?" Love the little easter eggs in there ;)

Every time I’m reminded Tarantino has only made 9 movies I’m freaked out

Loved this film, visually beautiful. So well acted . The final scene was so sad... if only in real life it ended that way 😢

agree completely with robbies review . `have just watched it twice back to back and its almost unbearably brilliant . a masterpiece

I thought it was brilliant... until the ending which I found somewhat jarring. The world of late 60s Hollywood that Tarantino carefully crafts really is mesmerising. It had a certain easy quality about it, it didn't feel artificial or phoney, even down to the banal radio adverts for products that are long gone and no one remembers. Though you could see how attitudes to things like car seat belts and smoking were very different to today, it had a kind of immediacy to it that made it feel real; like you really were peering into the past or maybe even living it. All of the performances were great, and I think any criticism that Margo Robbie doesn't have enough dialogue really comes from people that don't understand what the role of her character is and what Tarantino is doing. I thought this was his best work, it avoided some of the pitfalls of his more recent films, nothing felt laboured despite the slow pacing for much of the running time. Nothing felt out of place; the humour felt natural. The way he built tension was brilliant, the scene at the 'Manson Family' ranch had me on the edge of my seat, the menacing atmosphere it conjured. Everything felt in balance and superbly done... until the finale. I won't give it away, but it felt like Tarantino chickened out of confronting the terrible destination his film was headed. All of a sudden the careful reality that he had built gave way to a scene from an earlier version of the director and it left the careful, thoughtful film that I had just sat through adrift in a strange alternate universe. I think that Tarantino was on the cusp of making a truly outstanding film, but threw it away with a return to type that at the end that left me a little disappointed. It's still a brilliant piece of work but... that ending...

Mentioned Easy Rider, Peter Fonda died today.

Glad Robbie put Jackie Brown in his top 3 QT films. Very underrated.

Have seen it twice now, the first time on a superscreen and today on 35mm, mind blown on the latter. This is definitely the best of Quentin Tarantino's recent output and stands head and shoulders above all out there now. This is a film that can easily be watched multiple times, so layered and so much detail Tarantino is that guy that sat glued to the TV and there are so many references to shows that he devoured, some say that the Rick Dalton character was partly based on Pete Duel from Alias Smith and Jones, who battled with depression, alcoholism and eventually died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Rick Dalton in a soliloquy threatens to blow his brains out after messing up his lines due to consuming eight whiskey sours the night before. A rumour is that Gene LeBell did in fact manhandle Bruce Lee on the set of The Green Lantern, substitute Cliff Booth for Gene mixed in with a bit of Paul Newman and Hal Needham, who was Burt Reynolds stuntman and you have Brad Pitt's character. Acting in this film is off the charts, forget about Margot Robbie not having many lines what about Roman Polanski one of the most influential Directors ever, I think he had one sentence in the entire movie. Scenes and Dialogue have not been wasted in this film, would be interesting to know if Tarantino will release a Directors Cut with material that has been cut from this particular film. I for one would pay to see it at the Cinema The scene where Brad Pitt gets up on a roof to fix an aerial, hardly anything happens but rather like the entire film it is riveting. This film really is a love letter to the forgotten people from the film & television industries in the Sixties & Seventies and I cannot wait to see it again. Highly Recommended.

Just saw it and thoroughly enjoyed it, after disliking most of his previous films. Amazing production design. Despite it lacking a clear narrative, I was never bored, despite its length. Great performances all around, but for me Margaret Qualley's performance stood and she managed to steal every scene she was in.

it sounds amazing, can't wait to see it, glad to see robbie showing his appreciation for the lesser spotted jackie brown, my top QT film thus far

Good review, I enjoyed watching Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and will indeed be rewatching the movie soon,

Long in depth review. Who cares if it's not Mark. Robbie's solid

I know this other guy from my childhood if I am right, he did a documentary for discovery Channel when he came to India... I remember him being funny..... Reminds me of days when TV was enjoyable

Nailed it. Best explication of this film I've seen - made me appreciate it more, and I've seen it six times. I think it is Tarantino's masterpiece.

I've watched it twice, and I agree with Robbies review. Loved it. When your movie has a number of scenes, where you're driving around listening to the radio - that QT said is how he remembers his childhood growing up in LA - and the movie is 160 minutes long, you're going to get some lulls, but the production and characters just made me sit back and relax and take it all in, and makes the third act even more powerful. QT does well to ramp up the tension in the Spahn ranch, especially when you consider the big bad Cliff Booth is up against a bunch of teenage flower children. I think if you know about the Manson Family and The Tate Murders, you will love it more. Loved it, loved it!

I am off to see this movie today and of all the reviews I've listened to,this one has really stimulated my anticipation the most.

There is a 5min review in there somewhere 🤔

Contrary to others, I'm glad Robbie reviewed it. Mark completely misunderstands Tarantino's movies ever since his Kill Bill rant on Newsnight review and his subsequent outburst during his Death Proof review on how Tarantino "cannot direct" and "cannot write" and all his movies are juvenile (with the exception of Jackie Brown). Sure, he's calmed down a bit over the course of Tarantino's subsequent 3 movies and has even enjoyed elements of those, but I don't think he'll ever truly be happy until he makes another "Jackie Brown".

fearless vampire killers is a great horror/comedy film - starring sharon tate

Great review, thank you!

I’m surprised there’s been no mention of the absence of chapter breaks by film critics.

Happy to have discovered Robbie’s genius

I totally love this film,,,,, seen it 4 times at the flicks,,, would love to see it once a month,,, as you see so many different things each time. Good to see Jarvis cocker doing film reviews now!!!!

A very good review, saw Once upon....today, definitely one of Tarantino's best movies, if not 'the' best. Both Pitt and DiCaprio were brilliant.

Some brilliant performances but the film was pretty dull. I personally thought it was disrespectful to Sharon Tate given what really happened. I don't agree with this review but I think Robbie is great. He loves film knows his stuff. This film will divide people and make no sense to those who don't know what happened on that dreadful night

Excellent review

Initially disappointed that Mark didn't review this. Thought Robbie did a great job though.

I love this film

relax guys. Mark will end up reviewing this film too due to the demand

There’s a POST CREDIT SCENE that’s funnier than most of the gags in the movie

I was never ever bored while watching a movie. Until now.

This is a terrific review.

It is currently my film of the year.

Fascinating review thumbs up! Can't wait to see the film

Think Robbie smoked the acid cigarette when reviewing this tosh! 😂🤣

He could be 30 or 60 I've no idea dressed like woody Allen

Loved it, fully agree with Robbie

Excellent review.

This film is fantastic. And the ending Wow!😂👍

Hi,Robbie. I wouldn't scroll down if I were you!

"Did you have your shoes off?" *I see what you did there*

Just piling on so hopefully Mark shares his thoughts as well. No disrespect to Robbie Collin, he does great job but his name isn't in the channel name. I subscribed to hear Mark's reviews and he's got an entertaining history talking about Tarantino films

If this was about cliff booth alone it would have been a worthwhile movie. Can't say i could ever watch that again without falling asleep. then again i would probably wake up and it would still be playing zzzzzzz.

Absolutely loved it, brilliant Di Caprio performance and I usually cannot stand him. The biggest grin on leaving the cinema. Loved how uncompromising it is - you have to know so much for it to make any sense at all.

After 8th Grade this is my film of the year.

I felt the same way about this movie as Kermode did about Hateful 8.

Calm down you muppets - it looks like Kermode discusses this film on the latest episode of his podcast

I wasn't expecting Kenny Everett to be reviewing this.

the only comparison i could think of, weirdly enough, was with Bojack Horseman for anything even slightly similar (DiCaprio fighting with himself in the trailer, smoking and drinking a lot when he's on screen, trying to cope with being seen as a has-been and moving from project to project, listening to music/rehearsing for scenes in his giant pool) i really liked it, had only a passing knowledge of the Sharon Tate murder (embarrasingly it took them name-checking Polanski before the penny dropped, had vaguely heard or read bits throughout my life about their having been a tragic home invasion at his home) some of the more dramatic/serious parts that hit home surprisingly strongly, most of all when Leo completes a scene and the little girl says something nice to him, and some of the comic/absurd lines had me in stitches. One right at the end is one of my personal faves, paraphrasing but Leo going "Well the hippies f***in' ain't, that's for god damn sure" considering all that's gone on was a proper lol

I want Mark to review this.

He does talk a lot... confirmed by the amount of 'very's used... thankfully he did manage to avoid giving too much away, though strayed a little close to the edge. I'd like to hear Mark Kermode's views... I loved it... was completely disorientated by it, but loved it all the same... Di Caprio & Pitt deserve oscars for their performances and of course Tarantino for his writing, directing, & producing

I thought it was pointless.

Where is Mark??

Masterpiece - the way it divides some viewers/critics is a testament to its core strength. The film is so elegant in the way it both weaves its way to outcome but by all its multilayered parallels. This is the Tarantino film that critics and viewers will return again and again in years to come.

Guys, Mark has to go on holidays sometimes, and Robbie's a great substitute in the meantime. Stop whining.

Who is the guy Robbie is talking to? I'm gonna assume he's an actor since he said he was in Paddington 2.

I loved the movie. It's excellent.

Did Mark refuse to review it

There was no zipper either time I've seen it. Seemed like the whole audience was all in on the ending.

I could hardly get through the pseudo-intellectual claptrap at the beginning of this review. What everyone seems to have missed is the absolute delight the incidental 60s references occurring throughout the film (and during the credits) are for anyone who was around in the 60s. This was the Tarantino film I enjoyed the most, not least because it contained two of the most suspenseful sequences I can ever remember seeing in a film. It was only when the title came up at the end that I realised, with a feeling of great pleasure, its importance.

GOD DAMN IT, ALL THIS TIME WAITING AND MARK DOESN'T END UP REVIEWING THE DAMN MOVIE!!!

Leo deserves an Oscar! Tarantino wisely toned down the violence and did his usual brilliant usurping of film history. L.A. never looked better. No criticism save one thing. Sometimes he imposes his virtuosic cinematography style in moments that cannot support it. He creates with verisimilitude old TV acting, so why tart it up with show-offy modern cinematic styles never seen in early TV?

I was anxious to see Kermode’s review because he hates Tarantino. I didn’t like the movie as much as the critics did. It’s not on the top of my Tarantino’s movies

Where is the morrisey-looking guy? I miss the Morrison-looking guy...

this film has hitchcockian overtones

Kenny Everett should review more films.

It’s a film for film buffs and film historians, anybody else will find mind numbingly boring.

Stop letting Mark have days off.