I disagree with your take on Cliff and Rick's relationship. Rick doesn't treat Cliff as an employee at all. If he did he'd gave him the boot when he tossed Lee around. Plus he fought for Cliff in every set to get him stunt work up to that, even tho Cliff's reputation is terrible (this is expanded upon in the novelization). He also pays him more than he has to for a driver and Cliff is basically living his best life, doing exactly what he was doing before minus the dangerous stunts. On top of that, he also took him to Italy, where Cliff have literally no work to do since the studio provided for everything. Regarding the ambulance scene I think it's more about the portrayal of the notion of masculinity at the time. Both convey that they mean much more to each other than they let on and that's the beauty of it: the simple "thanks buddy you're a true friend" means a lot more than some histrionic display of emotion that wouldn't fit them or the period in my opinion

Despite the three hour running time, it flies right by. Definitely my favourite Tarantino film of recent years, and Brad Pitt finally received his long awaited Oscar.

The fact that there are so many different interpretations of this film is what makes it so damn incredible. Most of Tarantino’s films are like this.

I feel like Rick and Cliff have a friendship that's more based on mutual respect than emotion. Cliff is the only person that is honest with Rick and doesn't treat him like a pampered celebrity. He's willing to take the kids gloves off for the guy. Meanwhile, Rick was the only person willing to keep working with Cliff after the incident with his wife. These are two guys who might not have a lot in common, but they definitely need each other.

When I watched this film back in the Summer of 2019, I was genuinely excited to see what Tarantino had in store for a 60's California setting and he did NOT disappoint. That Bruce Lee scene was great and what a hilarious and satisfying ending he wrote!

This is the kind of movie that, even if you liked at first, you just love more and more each time you watch it

You're a lucky person if you have even one true friend.

I see this movie as Tarantino’s ode to Hollywood. Rick’s character represents old Hollywood in the film. At times the movie is blatantly speaking to Hollywood on behalf of Tarantino, such as the part where the little girl tells Rick “that was the best acting I’ve ever seen”. The end of the movie is honestly one of the coolest things he’s done. In real life, the murder of Sharon Tate is arguably the moment the golden age ended. The Manson family killed it, and here we see Tarantino’s “revenge” play out on screen. The very end of the film shows us Rick (who again is our representation of golden age Hollywood) go through the “gates of heaven” (Tates gated driveway) and joins Sharon and the rest in a symbolic afterlife of sorts.

"Come visit me tomorrow. Bring bagels!"

This film has one of best film climaxes in history.

Took a university module about film history, and this was the last movie the lecturer shown to us to depict the Golden Age of Hollywood. Definitely encompass the era of Hollywood films during that period

As a big Tarantino fan I absolutely love this film & this video from you! It came out at a time when I had a difficult time in my life, with losses & anxiety, when I saw this film I laughed, smiled, felt excited & just forgot all about my personal life This is what cinema can do & should do, it’s supposed entertain people for 2 hours & also make people reflect on history & how it has shaped us like Scorsese film often does

I wouldn’t say that Cliff and Rick’s friendship is one-sided. I mean Rick does try to get Cliff work as a stuntman and it’s implied that’s why Cliff is employed by Rick in the first place: because Cliff can’t find work in stunt performing anymore. Also, Cliff insists that Rick stay home even when Rick offers to go to the hospital with Cliff

A theory i heard was that all his films take place in the alternate universe where Hitler was killed in the movie theatre.

Tarantino is, no doubt, my favourite director. And among all his incredible movies - I do believe that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is his best work by a mile. Sure, it may not be as epic as Pulp Fiction or Jango Unchained, but it doesn’t have to be, cause it’s totally different from what Tarantino usually does. It’s a deeply unsettling story with way more emotional depth and complexity than one could expect - and that makes the movie stand out.

Love your video essays, always very insightful and informative. Keep them coming.

I really hope they release an extended cut!!! I love this movie so much I want more!

Interesting, another example of this would be True Romance, written by Tarentino, famously. The character Clarence he even says was based on him, and Alabama is his vision at the time of a perfect girlfriend. Think about it, everyone in the movie loves Clarence, he works at a comic store, big film nerd. Alabama is really pretty, tough but loving, is always in a great mood, eats cheeseburgers, plays video games all that stuff.

Might be my favorite video you’ve done. Been watching for a while 👍

This movie could’ve used a sequel. We were supposed to get extended show on Netflix, but it never happened. 😭

Still remember opening night, the second Leo comes out the tool shed with a flamethrower, THE AUDIENCE WENT NUTS🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Man it would be great to have a conversation with Tarantino about movies, that would be really awesome, he is so knowledgeable in knowing them inside and out with the technical stuff, like the cinematography, camera angles, shot sizes, what the movie was shot on, 16mm or 35mm, what lenses the filmmakers used, editing and cutting the movie together, knowing the story beats and the characters and their motivations, movies have been a passion of mine since I was a little kid in the 80's and I would love to have a conversation with people as passionate about movies as I am but have more knowledge and are way smarter than me, as I have a very low I.Q. and am really dumb.

Probably the best video-essay by Nerdstalgic

I disagree about their friendship. Yes Rick is Cliff's boss but it seems that it is more of a _I have lots of money and I want to support my friend but I don't want to insult him by just outright giving him money_ type of deal. Cliff is not the type of guy that even could be taken advantage of. Even still, the narrator refers to their relationship as "More than a brother and a little less than a wife."

Casting Leo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt for this movie in particular was the best thing Tarantino has ever done in his entire career as a director because three of them had never worked together before, so that's why what makes Once Upon A time in Hollywood a special and personal movie. Regarding Tarantino, I remember seeing Kill Bill as a kid, which was his first movie I saw, then you must imagine how violent that movie was for a 8-years-old like me in that time. In fact, I saw it with my family. Going back to his latest movie, if you ask me about Once Upon A time in Hollywood as a film, I'll include it on my top-5 movies.

I think Tarantino was aware of how cynically he was portraying friendship, and it was still personal.

Great video.

This is pretty much a perfect movie

That foot shot attack was uncalled for.

Genial análisis 😊

this is the most unique analysis i've heard on a film. Never looked at it this way

Great notion on the value of friendship! This was and still is the last truly great movie from the dying Hollywood - how ironic and glorious at the same time.

There are two types of people. People who love this movie and people who are wrong

I think late 60s Hollywood is supposed to be symbolic of Hollywood now with the end of dvd and merging of streaming and the lost of the Hollywood star.

Another thing i noticed about this film was his love of Steve McQueen. His book has McQueen being directed as the front cover and on the back he is wearing the same jacket McQueen wears in The Great Escape, but in this movie there were so many parallels to McQueen. The Actor in the Western drives off on his triumph wearing a McQueen outfit, the scene of Cliff driving in his blue VW is taken directly form a ohot of McQueen in his Jaguar, and just like Dalton, McQueen started in a TV western that lead to his career.

Man I feel like I have never seen someone put so much effort into missing the point of a piece of art. The movie is clearly about the inherent loneliness of success. The two are only friends due to the economic circumstances they're in, and the film is very clear about that. Really feels like you're grasping at straws with this one to paint Tarantino as an out of touch auteur who doesn't know what it's like to have a human connection, as opposed to the actual point of the film which is that notoriety and success come with certain personal sacrifices.

This is an egregious reach in every way.

I love hearing takes on Once Upon a Time but it's deeply egotistic to try to assume Tarantino's intent when presenting your own take.

That was NOT how I expected this video to go 😵‍💫

This was beautiful

I need to see this again. Ive only seen it once or twice when it first came out

I don’t quite know how to articulate it but OUATIH is his first movie that feels tender and hopeful to me

Thanks for the essay I will definitely watch the movie

I don't know how all these a list actors got on board (since there is no clear plot, or even a clear genre the film belongs to, ...) .. but all i know is i thank god for this film ! A true masterpiece .. just a chill, feel good kinda film, 9.5/10

Before he passes on, he will reveal hidden messages throughtout his movies that culminate into one simple message. "I love movies."

i gotta rewatch this

Read the book! Cliff Booth is the best character QT has ever written. I hope he starts writing books once he's done with his 10th film. He's such a great writer. A genius of our time.

I love your take on the personal connection it has to him. im honest enough to say that I thought the movie was pretty good but I only wanted to see it because of Margot...

I understand and like this movie more now. Thanks !

What’s mind blowing! You can’t tell if Leonardo DiCaprio is acting in Character or is it Rick Dalton that is acting in his character! ;)

I think Tarantino absolutely understood when he wrote this script that Cliff was a friend for hire. The subtle way Cliff kisses Rick’s butt is well written and perfectly played by Brad Pitt. Cliff embodies everything Rick wants to be, handsome, confident, well spoken and authentically an alpha male, and Cliff just appreciates the job. The give and take in the relationship is what gives it the appearance of a friendship, but Cliff is the kind of guy who is charming and friendly with everyone. Rick knows once he can no longer afford Cliff, the relationship will be pretty much over. I wonder how many “friends “ Tarantino has who he feels the same way about.

I have, at times, experienced Tarantino fatigue. And while I did enjoy The Hateful Eight, it did not have the same impact on my as, say, Jackie Brown or even Django Unchained. Enter Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. I did not only love the movie utterly and unreserved, I laughed, I cried, I cheered and I was dizzy when I left the theater. But then I saw all the other films kind of filtered through OUATIHollywood, I studied them, revisited them and in fact became a fanboy all over again. What a film.

Think you could have done more to present this as your own opinion. The tone was pretty declarative throughout. Not so much “I think” as “so what QT meant was”. Not saying you’re wrong, just pointing out it’s conjecture.

His best film!!

My favorite film

The ending caught me off guard but it worked 😎🤟🏻

I believe that Rick leaving Cliff to go to the hospital is Cliff silently accepting that Rick will finally have the breakthrough he was waiting because he already mentioned how much he wanted a meeting with Roman Polanski, and Sharon Tate inviting home was what he needed to get into Polanski's good side, because for my experience we men don't talk and just silently agree, we understand the needs and wants of our friends and we do no mind taking one for the team if that means our friends will get what they need, and hey, if Rick never got the career revival he just couldn't afford having Cliff around but if he starts making movies again, ye would definitely need a stuntman as he always fought to only use Cliff as his double.

Tarantino's view that he is only going to make X amount of movies is terrible. Scorsese just turned 81 and has made over 50 films and his most recent Killers of the Flower Moon is beautiful and an awesome true story brought to life. Obviously there aren't many directors like Marty but QT I'm sure could make another 6-10 movies over the next 10-15 years and I believe they would be pretty awesome considering his credits. I hope he does make more than 10, for his own story telling fire and for his huge fanbase, I look forward to it.

Finally, a good old video essay. Now I feel empty about this film xd

The biggest crime of this movie was the fact that the Boeing 747 has been around for 50 goddamn years and yet they couldn't CGI a fake one that look anything close to real.

I don't think you get this movies type of friendship, which is genuine but also non standard. Q doesn't want to be Cliff or Rick, he's the puppet master that puts those guys in his movies, he might have thought he wanted to be Rick at some point but never Cliff... come on man.

I recommend seeing Targets from 1968. Its a film that heavily influenced OUATIH.

this is my favorite movie of all time.

I disagree that the movie is about their friendship. I would argue that their friendship is part of the setting, with the story focusing on finding a new place in an industry that is moving past you

I tuned out when I heard “power dynamics”

Such a good film!!

this is my favorite Tarantino movie

I’m sort of reading both relationships of Cliff Booth and his wife AND Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth to Quentin Tarantino’s relationships with Roger Avary and editor Sally Menke. Will we ever know how much of Pulp Fiction Avery actually did write? What kind of movie would Once Upon a Time in Hollywood…. be (as enjoyable as it is), had Sally Menke lived to edit it? What is the deeper meaning, if any, of Rebecca Gayheart playing Cliff Booth’s wife? (Both Roger Avary and Rebecca Gayheart were behind the wheel in separate incidents of vehicular manslaughter.)

I don't agree. I think Tarantino is well aware of the power dynamics and plays into them.

Damn that was dark.

I don't really think this movie was quite so abstract, and while that relationship does put friendship at the center of the story as a central ideaof the story, I don't agree that it's about his idea of friendship in general. It feels a lot more specific. Whereas the narrative as a whole could be seen as nostalgic revisionism of the passing of the golden era of Hollywood, perhaps reflecting his worries and concerns about the state of the industry and place of his ilk today, I agree with the idea that the relationship between Rick and Cliff is a somber but nostalgic revisionism of his relationship to Harvey Weinstein.

Epic movie! 🤪👍🏻💥

Tarantino also likes to give his audience some catharsis in his films: massacring Nazis or Manson family members. The ending of this film so is fun. We laughed our heads off at the butchery at the end of the film.

Yes it is

Ford vs Ferrari is a movie about best friends that I really enjoy. It seems like it's about racing cars, but I'm telling you, it's about best friends.

"once upon a time" means there is a story and for this film it is in Hollywood, meaning there is a "once upon a time" based from what really happened in Hollywood or the Sharon Tate murder

ummm.. bit of a stretch to say Cliff put his life on the line for Rick. Pretty sure Cliff acted out of self defense regardless had Rick been there or not.

also, Cliff definitely killed his wife. it's only suggested in the film, but canon to the story he definitely did kill his wife

I’m of two kinds of when watching this film. 1st is that this is Tarantino trying to make his version of a PT Anderson film. I also feel like this is him taking his Four Rooms segment and stretching that joke to 3 hours

It feels like you got alot wrong about the 2 leads and their friendship

Corrections: 1) Sharon didn't lose her life; it was violently taken from her. Along with Jay Sebring, Gibby Folger, Voytek Frykowski, and Steven Parent all perished that night. 2) It wasn't hyperviolence; it was justifiable homicide. 3) Rick didn't abandon Cliff; Cliff told Rick to go inside and take care of his wife and Brandy. 4) Quentin didn't have a jones about bare feet in this movie; Sharon loved to walk around barefoot, and the "family" were hippies would didn't wear shoes. It was manna. 5) Cliff was going to fight to the death, not because he had to, but because he wanted to. That's friendship. That's love. "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for a friend." 6) The whole Manson thing was NOT a tragedy, it was a crime. A horrible, violent, preventable crime. 7) OUTIH was more of a siloquy than a love letter, but there is not law saying it can't be a little of both.

I disagree with your take on their relationship. I’ve heard another essay linking their relationship to that of Harvey Weinstein and Tarantino. I don’t know if that is any more correct or not, but it made so much sense I couldn’t help but believe every minute of that theory. Frankly, it makes a lot more sense than this video’s take. While I did think the same when I first saw the movie - that this was a transactional relationship - the fact is, it goes so much deeper than that. I wish I could remember the details of the Weinstein/Tarantino theory, but since I can’t I encourage you to seek it out. It may change your mind on the movie.

I think you forgot to tag on a "but that's just a theory; a film theory"

My favourite one (after django)

The little girl is right, but she should have said it to Brad Pitt. "That was the best acting I've ever seen in my whole life." Classic example of one star completely stealing the whole film from the arguably bigger star. Not that DiCaprio was bad, but Pitt just slayed that part.

I disagree that QT isn't aware of the power imbalance. seems like he gets it.

Cliff so manly he don't even need friends at the hospital

Damn, i didnt know that the 3 people that got to ricks house were actually heading to tates house. i thought that they were gonna kill cliff because he beat the sht out of Clem. Now i know this, it doesnt even make sense to kill Cliff because he beated up Clem.

Who ever made this video is unaware of the classic friendships in literature, many of which include a power differentials. Frodo is Sam's master in the book. The Count of Monte Cristo and Jacopo, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

Once upon a time in Hollywood is my favourite Tarantino

Create video but I think you missed the mark on the friendship. I think the way you described it is exactly what Tarantino intended. There is a discrepancy and a power imbalance. And he shows us over and over how Cliff views the relationship one way and Dalton views it another.

Tarantino if you are reading this. Please. I beg you. Make Kill BIl Volume 3. Even if it be your last film.

I watch this movie in theathers and i dont regret.

Genuine question: Does AI write your videos?

i hated this one the first time i saw it, but after a few rewatches it became a favorite. weird how his movies do that

Im surprised it didnt contain more feet for being such a person project to Tarantino.

You for got they are like The Green Hornet

I was conflicted, The Manson Murders are as gory and hideous as any other sickos , Tarantino makes a fantasy

These takes are extremely reaching. Not saying you are wrong I’d just like to see the rationale behind them. This is more a psychological diagnosis of Tarantino himself than a critique on his movie. I don’t know of any psychologists or psychiatrists who would be willing to make these claims without a proper assessment on the individual in question. Interesting points though!

Nice break down of the film or Maybe its Tarantino letter to us saying he's gae, in love with men and he cant tell the man he loves cos the man will find it disgusting and disturbing.