Acclaimed writer-producer-director Quentin Tarantino has stepped back into the spotlight with a new love letter to a simpler time.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood explores a sun-drenched Los Angeles in the late 1960s.
Troubled leading man Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) is still riding off the success of his 50s western TV series, Bounty Law.
War veteran Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) serves as Dalton's stunt double and lackey.
Fearing for his career, Dalton takes 'Villain of the Week' roles in some of Hollywood's biggest TV shows.
He is soon left with two choices - remain on the small screen or star in cheap spaghetti westerns.
Meanwhile, Director Roman Polanski and starlet Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) become Dalton's new neighbours.
Bursting onto the scene with Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, Tarantino quickly became one of Hollywood's most revered filmmakers.
His earlier works have inspired many movies from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.
Since Inglorious Basterds, however, his output has declined in quality.
The trend continues with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - a bland, self-indulgent drama with a few bright spots.
Just like Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight, Tarantino's latest is silly, abrasive, and bloated.
Taking a 'day in the life...' approach, the movie spins its wheels throughout its 161-minute run-time.
DiCaprio and Pitt prevent Once Upon a Time in Hollywood from being a complete disaster.
Handing the drama and comedy with aplomb, DiCaprio turns Dalton into a fascinating character.
Pitt delivers a wildly charismatic performance, while Timothy Olyphant, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Al Pacino, and Bruce Dern add some spice to this strange stew.
Robbie is underutilised in a bizarre sub-plot that provides little information or depth.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has a bit of fun, before outstaying its welcome.
