Quentin Tarantino’s ninth movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, premiered yesterday at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and it seems like the pic has already won over critics.
Initial reactions from those lucky enough to attend the screening popped up on Twitter last night, with many viewers showering it with praise.
Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood is so gloriously, wickedly indulgent, compelling and hilarious. The film QT was born to make. The world is a more colourful place in Quentin Tarantino’s twilight zone. Round two, please. #Cannes2019
— Joe Utichi (@joeutichi) May 21, 2019
ONCE UPON A TIME…IN HOLLYWOOD – Historically dubious, thematically brilliant, QT finds his form in film that could win Palme d'Or or be picketed by audiences, or maybe both. Thrilling, provocative, blackly comical, intensely unsettling masterwork. #cannes2019
— Jason Gorber (@filmfest_ca) May 21, 2019
I wouldn’t change a single second of Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood. It did not disappoint. #Cannes2019
— Damon Wise (@yo_damo) May 21, 2019
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD: Why is no one tweeting about Margot Robbie? She's the heart and soul of this film. Her Sharon Tate is the most humane and resonant character of the entire movie. Almost every scene she's in is heartbreaking to watch. #Cannes2019
— Jordan Ruimy (@mrRuimy) May 21, 2019
As expected, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Tarantino referencing other films and TV and old Hollywood and good times in the 60s. Digging into his past and showing us, through perfectly crafted cinema, his feelings about moviemaking and artists and the Manson murders and more.
— Alex B. (@firstshowing) May 21, 2019
DiCaprio is pretty great, but Pitt is amazing. Not sure about the ‘message’ – if there is one – and definitely not the most quotable Tarantino.
— Steven Tuffin (@Waanzinema) May 21, 2019
Quentin Tarantino’s brilliant exploitation black-comedy Once Upon A Time In Hollywood finds a pulp-fictionally redemptive take on the Manson nightmare: shocking, gripping, dazzlingly shot in the celluloid-primary colours of sky blue and sunset gold. Review later #Cannes2019
— Peter Bradshaw (@PeterBradshaw1) May 21, 2019
Juggling a mosaic of characters and dark sense of humor, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood is even earning comparisons to Tarantino’s 1993 hit Pulp Fiction, which practically turned the filmmaker into a household name overnight:
ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD: Tarantino wasn't joking when he said this was the closest to PULP FICTION that he has come. He juggles a mosaic of characters and story-lines in this one, eventually stringing them together for a relentlessly playful and touching finale. #Cannes2019
— Jordan Ruimy (@mrRuimy) May 21, 2019
Early reviews aggregated on Rotten Tomatoes currently place Once Upon a Time In Hollywood at 94% fresh, making it Tarantino’s highest-rated directorial effort. Winning over a room of critics is never an easy feat, so that fact that the film’s debut earned a 7-minute standing ovation only solidifies its warm reception.
A brand new trailer for the movie, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, and Brad Pitt, dropped yesterday ahead of its premiere and gave us a greater look at its story. Set amongst the horrific Manson Family murders of the 1960s, the film finds DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton struggling to find his place in Los Angles as an aging television actor. Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, and Kurt Russell round out the cast, as well as the late Luke Perry in one of his final performances.
While I don’t think anyone expected disastrous results from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, it’s always reassuring to see a film rack up such strong reviews. You can judge it for yourself though when the pic hits theaters on July 26th.