Columbia Pictures | Release Date: July 26, 2019
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 1985 Ratings
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Positive:
1,569
Mixed:
209
Negative:
207
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5
RoobotJul 26, 2019
This movie could have been 1h30 long and nothing about this movie would have been lost, and it would've been much more enjoyable to watch. The only redeeming factors about this movie are the acting, the setting and the final 15 minutes.This movie could have been 1h30 long and nothing about this movie would have been lost, and it would've been much more enjoyable to watch. The only redeeming factors about this movie are the acting, the setting and the final 15 minutes. Overall the movie is just WAY too long for no good reason. Also theres is no plot, no conflict, no story. It is just a drawn out 2 hour and 45 minutes experience of the 60s in hollywood. Very boring movie. If I were to watch this again, I would skip at least half. Expand
22 of 48 users found this helpful2226
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1
Lili327Jul 26, 2019
It’s really slow and boring. The director is “selfish” in the sense that he made this movie for his own self-indulgence, not for the purpose of entertaining the audience. You’ll be sitting there for 3 hours (wasting your time) watching whatIt’s really slow and boring. The director is “selfish” in the sense that he made this movie for his own self-indulgence, not for the purpose of entertaining the audience. You’ll be sitting there for 3 hours (wasting your time) watching what the director likes about old
Hollywood/ classic movie-making (which you may or may not care about). The director twisted the reality in his own fantasy world and injected some ridiculousness into it. You’ll come out of the movie theatre with a weird/ bland taste in your mouth and realized that the past 3 hours left you no resolution, eureka nor epiphany. You’ll feel cheated.
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24 of 64 users found this helpful2440
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3
Leavemealone2Jul 26, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was very excited for this. The acting was superb as one would expect from DiCaprio and Pitt. That said . . . it meanders. It’s plodding and just doesn’t connect. I know why this got such great reviews - it’s an homage to a Hollywood that every film critic is aware of. I like movies, but I have a life. I cannot and will not deep dive into decades old obscure films to justify liking this movie. I know Tarantino doesn’t care. That’s what he does. Some think Jackie Brown is his best movie. I tried to watch it again (on Hulu currently) and couldn't finish it. Maybe the plot of an actor coming to terms with the end of his career connects with some people, but it didn’t with me. Maybe I’ve lost the zeitgeist. When I was 13 and saw Reservoir Dogs it was different, bold. Then I found True Romance and then Pulp Fiction. Kill Bill. Django and even the Hateful Eight (not great but at least things kept moving). Inglorious Basterds was full of dialogue you couldn’t get from other movies. Hollywood . . . was, I’m sorry, just boring. The twist at the end was basically Inglorious Basterds but worse. There is no examination of the era leading to the Manson family. Or, maybe there was and it was “subtext.” I understand that Tarrantino sinks himself in the genre, but this genre went away for a reason: ITS NOT INTERESTING. It just didn’t say anything other than “I like old movies.” That’s great for the critics but not so much for everyone else. I sat in a theater where people laughed at the heady moments and seemed bored at the rest. I would give this a 1 if it wasn’t for the brilliant acting throughout. This is my first and only review, that is how disappointed I was with this movie. Expand
49 of 95 users found this helpful4946
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3
CaptainHowdyJul 25, 2019
Let's face it: Quentin Tarantino is just about spent. If this film had not been directed by a legend of cinema who has been making dazzling movies for almost three decades, no one would be as forgiving of two and a half hours of scene afterLet's face it: Quentin Tarantino is just about spent. If this film had not been directed by a legend of cinema who has been making dazzling movies for almost three decades, no one would be as forgiving of two and a half hours of scene after scene with nothing happening, conversation after conversation of weak, uninspired dialogue, and characters with no character arc.

The plot line does little more than shoehorn the Manson family into a film about being a has-been who can't create the magic that he used to, which aptly parallels Tarantino's career over the last few years. You almost wonder if he meant to write it that way, but it's hard to tell when it's bogged down with a million other little subplots that reveal nothing interesting and go nowhere.

People want to keep loving Tarantino, but without his name, this film would not be getting the score it has. Stop reviewing Pulp Fiction and review THIS film for what it is, not for what you imagined it would be before you walked into the movie theater. Had it been made by a first-time director, this bloated snoozefest would have ruined their career.

That said, I will add: Margot Robbie did a great job of capturing the ghost of Sharon Tate. And that dog was a really good dog.
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20 of 60 users found this helpful2040
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9
MovieRiffingJul 26, 2019
Quentin Tarantino depicts 60's Hollywood in a way only he could. All of the staples of his filmmaking appear, but in a much more restrained fashion. The vast majority of the film lacks the grandiose swagger of his more recent films, but itQuentin Tarantino depicts 60's Hollywood in a way only he could. All of the staples of his filmmaking appear, but in a much more restrained fashion. The vast majority of the film lacks the grandiose swagger of his more recent films, but it successfully draws you into the atmosphere all the same. What some may view as bloated actually plays an essential role. Without letting the audience simmer in the magic of Tinseltown, Tarantino's signature explosive finale would lose its thematic punch. You may not get as much out of repeat viewings of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood compared to the rest of Tarantino's filmography, but the first time is exceptional enough. Expand
10 of 24 users found this helpful1014
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6
MikeysonofastonJul 26, 2019
It was slow and had some cool scenes but story was all over the place. A bit disappointed tbh
11 of 32 users found this helpful1121
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4
tropicAcesJul 26, 2019
Normally I like Tarantino, and I *love* DiCaprio and old-time Hollywood, but this film meanders to the point of boredom. Gone are the twisty plotlines and sharp QT dialogue, replaced with random scenes that go on too long and expositionNormally I like Tarantino, and I *love* DiCaprio and old-time Hollywood, but this film meanders to the point of boredom. Gone are the twisty plotlines and sharp QT dialogue, replaced with random scenes that go on too long and exposition dumps. A massive letdown. Expand
13 of 39 users found this helpful1326
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1
SteenerJul 26, 2019
It rambles and changes history for no real reason.
It is painfully long with literally nothing to do, I saw more people looking at their phones.
It was like being stuck in traffic in Hollywood for 3 hours.
21 of 59 users found this helpful2138
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8
JGNYCJul 26, 2019
The reviews don't seem to mention or care that it's essentially plotless. It's a beautiful, long love letter to a very particular place and time. If you know the history, get the references, and especially if you remember them personally it'sThe reviews don't seem to mention or care that it's essentially plotless. It's a beautiful, long love letter to a very particular place and time. If you know the history, get the references, and especially if you remember them personally it's very nice. If you don't, it's a long, somewhat confusing ramble with beautiful shots and good acting and way too many shots of feet. I would say that Inglorious Basterds and Django were much more compelling films. But, if you're a QT fan and/or remember 1969, it shouldn't be missed. Expand
25 of 51 users found this helpful2526
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9
FelicityFenwickJul 26, 2019
Loved the film. I'm sure you've read a million reviews, and I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll just say that Julia Butters, the 8-year-old actor almost steals the show. What a breath of fresh air in a film that's dropping withLoved the film. I'm sure you've read a million reviews, and I don't want to spoil the story, so I'll just say that Julia Butters, the 8-year-old actor almost steals the show. What a breath of fresh air in a film that's dropping with testosterone and machismo. I'm hoping for big things in the future for that ACTOR. Expand
13 of 33 users found this helpful1320
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10
MarcDoyleJul 25, 2019
This will certainly crack my year-end Top 10 list, and it will likely be in the top half. I don’t remember the last time I laughed that hard (frankly, often in spots when I was the only one laughing… which is all the better) in a film. TheThis will certainly crack my year-end Top 10 list, and it will likely be in the top half. I don’t remember the last time I laughed that hard (frankly, often in spots when I was the only one laughing… which is all the better) in a film. The story is excellent…vintage QT. But it’s truly Brad Pitt’s film. I mean, he should just sign over his movie check to the director for making him look this good. Those lines, those action sequences, the dog? Amazing. Don’t want to spoil anything – just see this one. It delivers. Expand
49 of 90 users found this helpful4941
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10
LamontRaymondJul 25, 2019
I was hoping this film would deliver in a way that most of Tarantino’s other films did, and I was more than satisfied. I laughed VERY hard on many occasions in this movie, and there are plenty of thrills. Most importantly, Leo and Brad areI was hoping this film would deliver in a way that most of Tarantino’s other films did, and I was more than satisfied. I laughed VERY hard on many occasions in this movie, and there are plenty of thrills. Most importantly, Leo and Brad are just incredible in their roles. The direction and writing are pitch perfect, but it wouldn’t have been the same work without the simple brilliance of its lead actors. I also appreciate Quentin’s willingness to deviate from history when it makes sense. I should also make mention of the always excellent Margaret Qualley (from “The Leftovers”) – she has really good chemistry with Pitt, and she brings the two storylines together. In this era of bullsh*t comic book franchises, it’s so refreshing to get an original, unique film from a singular talent. When will Hollywood have the onions to take risks like this again? I won’t be holding my breath. Expand
13 of 33 users found this helpful1320
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9
FranzHcriticJul 25, 2019
Usually I'm not into alternate timeline, revisionist history, but I can safely say, Tarantino does it best with his recipe of wit dialogue and a some Tarantino to give it an extra kick at the end of his violent yet entertaining meal. Brad andUsually I'm not into alternate timeline, revisionist history, but I can safely say, Tarantino does it best with his recipe of wit dialogue and a some Tarantino to give it an extra kick at the end of his violent yet entertaining meal. Brad and Leo are great as a dual lead, and even though I was born in the 90s, it makes me feel somehow nostalgic. It's better than 'Hateful Eight' 'Inglourious', and even 'Django'. To end it, Tarantino can still keep me enthralled and I hope this isn't his last movie. Expand
12 of 27 users found this helpful1215
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10
WinstonRLiJul 25, 2019
Would not call “Once Upon” thrilling or deep or for else sakes, anything. Felt like this film’s beyond that. It’s essentially a boiled down novella. Ignore the “self indulgence” comments. Watch it once, watch it twice and it’s still an indieWould not call “Once Upon” thrilling or deep or for else sakes, anything. Felt like this film’s beyond that. It’s essentially a boiled down novella. Ignore the “self indulgence” comments. Watch it once, watch it twice and it’s still an indie film at heart.
Being more Cohen than a Cohen film it’s one of those you either recall from time to time or completely forget about; if it happens to be the later, it only gets better every you come back and think about it.
2nd Time Watching: This film should be a masterclass on Tension Building. The Last 20 mins guarantees pure satisfaction.
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10 of 28 users found this helpful1018
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10
sanyamthereviewJul 25, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Brilliant is the word I will use for quentin Tarantino and this movie.... History changing done again.. Brilliant performances from Pitt and di caprio especially Pitt. Expand
14 of 31 users found this helpful1417
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9
DerekReideJul 25, 2019
'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' is one of those films that'll keep you talking about it for a long time. It surely is a look into the past and a love letter to Hollywood in the late 1960s. With a cast headed by stellar actors, nostalgic'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' is one of those films that'll keep you talking about it for a long time. It surely is a look into the past and a love letter to Hollywood in the late 1960s. With a cast headed by stellar actors, nostalgic production design, and, of course, the usual quippy Tarantino dialogue, this film makes for one of Quentin's best for sure. Expand
14 of 30 users found this helpful1416
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9
LatinCritic13Jul 25, 2019
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is probably one of those films that you need to see once in a lifetime. And Quentin Tarantino sure knows how to send a love letter properly to the golden age of Hollywood that blends humor and mystery in anOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood is probably one of those films that you need to see once in a lifetime. And Quentin Tarantino sure knows how to send a love letter properly to the golden age of Hollywood that blends humor and mystery in an all-in-one starstudded package. Most people won't buy it, but there is something truly spectacular about it in terms of art and history behind this film. And yes, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt were a fantastic acting duo in this QT directed flick and so are the main and supporting A2B-listers. I recommend seeing this twice or in 35mm/70mm at your local Alamo Drafthouse Cinema if you're lucky enough. Ain't gonna lie, but this is one of those movies that will get you talking for a while. Expand
15 of 33 users found this helpful1518
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