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One Battle After Another (2025)

Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the best directors working today because you never know what to expect with each film and One Battle After Another is no exception. Heralded as the best film of the year so far by numerous outlets, One Battle After Another is an unnerving portrait of the current political landscape, as far-right militia crack down on illegal immigration sparking violent protests from the far-left revolutionary group, the French 75. The film follows paranoid drug addict, Pat Calhoun (Leonardo DiCaprio), who must tap back into his French 75 training when his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti), is being hunted by the corrupt Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw (Sean Penn).

Marking his second Thomas Pynchon adaptation, director Paul Thomas Anderson lifts the basic plot of the novel, Vineland, from its Reagan-era setting and brings it to the 21st century. The result of which is an unpredictable study of political and socioeconomic conflicts in America that bubbles in tension as it interweaves characters meticulously until the fiery climactic third act. The fusion of Pynchon’s psychedelic wasteland and Anderson’s sharp attention to detail pushes One Battle into a league of its own and ultimately brings us a new kind of “epic” movie: one that is doused in dystopia nostalgia and intricate character dynamics.

Leonardo DiCaprio proves yet again why he is one of the best leading men in Hollywood. He is a tour de force as paranoid, drug addict, Pat Calhoun, a former bomb expert for revolutionary group French 75. Having worked with Martin Scorsese on a third of films released this century so far, DiCaprio has become synonymous with the realist gritty roles expected from a Scorsese feature. However, we’ve also seen DiCaprio venture into unfamiliar territory with highlights including his turns in Quentin Tarantino’s films Django Unchained and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. However, it’s this performance as hopeless Pat that feels the most realised and distant from DiCaprio’s tenure in the 90s. We’ve seen him shine in comedies before with Wolf of Wall Street often cited as the film that should have won him the Oscar, but there is a tenderness in Pat’s character as he tries to do the right thing and constantly fails. His instincts fail him as he raises his daughter, Willa (Chase Infiniti) as a single parent following the abrupt departure of his partner, Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor) and spends his days drinking and getting high. You could argue that Pat’s character is cut from the same cloth as Joaquin Phoenix’s Doc in Inherent Vice. Both characters are conceptualised by Thomas Pynchon and realised by Anderson, but it goes beyond the aesthetic and feel of the great days of old. Pat and Doc both strive to create a better world, but in doing so find themselves against the sheer corruption of government, leading to a headfirst leap into conspiracy followed by drug-fuelled madness. Pat may seem cartoonish to an extent, but the sincerity with which DiCaprio plays him and that unkillable urge to better the world is the driving force that allows the film to deliver it’s message flawlessly.

In true PTA-style, we have a supporting cast of eccentrics with the standout being Sean Penn as the corrupt Colonel Lockjaw. Penn’s performance is so over the top with his physicality and mannerisms, that it’s hard to take Lockjaw seriously. Often used as the butt of a joke or the punching bag for the sinister Christmas Club, you can sense that Lockjaw is being pushed to his limit. We see flickers of darkness throughout the film, but it is during the final act when we see Lockjaw’s true nature and Penn brings the monstrous side of Lockjaw brilliantly. I don’t doubt that Penn will receive nominations across the board with a big chance of sweeping. This feels like a comeback in a way as Penn is extremely selective with his roles, but hopefully we can see more PTA collaborations in the future.

Another phenomenal supporting turn is from Benicio del Toro, who plays Pat’s friend, Sensei Sergio. He is viewed as a de facto leader in the immigrant community, always striving to help those in need. Once he realises Pat’s past affiliations, Sensei endeavours to help any way he can, understanding that their core values align. The opposite of Lockjaw in every sense, del Toro’s performance is minimalist and subtle but holds the same amount of impact with less time than Penn. With so much shine on Penn’s performance, it would be remiss to overlook the astonishing work del Toro does here and he more than deserves inclusion in Best Supporting Actor discussions.

There’s nothing better than seeing someone absolutely smash their breakthrough role and Chase Infiniti’s performance as Willa is among the best in recent years. Not only does she hold her own against industry veterans with ease, her performance brings the heart to the film. We see Willa try to break free from her father’s restrictions with success and failure in equal measure. Despite growing up in a community that society would deem “outcasts”, Willa herself is seen as an outsider to her peers, making her an isolated individual. The main frame of the film sees Willa come to terms with her identity and the mystery of her mother’s whereabouts and how that legacy determines her place in the world. It could be argued that One Battle is a coming-of-age film as Willa’s “battle” is building her own identity as she enters adulthood.

Jonny Greenwood returns to score the film, bringing a 1970s soft-rock vibe that feels nostalgic and scenic. As expected from Greenwood’s work with PTA, the music works with the imagery, masterfully layering sounds to build tension which contrasts with the quieter music during scenes with lots of dialogue. There is a timeless quality to Greenwood’s score, despite its 1970s-inspired sound. At times mellow with vast scenery while at others, jaunty and infused with espionage during protest scenes, Greenwood finds a dynamic balance that is offbeat and complimentary at the same time.

If Greenwood’s score is the fire then Michael Bauman’s cinematography is most definitely the match. The use of wide shots  that linger elevates the suspense and unpredictability of the film. We, the audience, can only sit and watch these events unfold with an unflinching and unfiltered perspective. Bauman manages to use open spaces in a way that feels awfully claustrophobic. No matter whether the characters are meandering round the desert or huddled in tiny interrogation rooms, there is always a sense of entrapment that allows for no escape. The use of the camera when Willa is driving up and down hills with plenty of blind spots is nail bitingly brilliant and fully immerses the audience into the uncertainty of where the road – literally and figuratively – will lead.

One Battle After Another may just be the film that gets Paul Thomas Anderson his well-deserved moment of glory after decades of impeccable output. One Battle is a searing commentary on contemporary America and thanks to a plethora of memorable performances, an impactful score and ingenious cinematography, this is definitely a film that demands repeat viewings.

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Top 5 Jennifer Lawrence Performances

Jennifer Lawrence is an actress whose star has risen exponentially since her breakthrough performance in Winter’s Bone in 2010. What has made Lawrence such a success both commercially and critically is her versatility and willingness to push herself by exploring different genres and refusing to be typecast. Her incredibly successful career has seen her nominated for 4 Oscars, winning one for Silver Linings Playbook in 2013, making her the second-youngest recipient of the Best Leading Actress award in Oscar history. After taking a short break between 2018 and 2021, she returned in one of the leading roles in Adam McKay’s star-studded black comedy, Don’t Look Up, starring alongside the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep and Jonah Hill to name a few.

As with any top 5 list, it’s always incredibly difficult to narrow it down, especially when discussing someone as diverse and charismatic as Lawrence because there are so many performances to consider. However, this list demonstrates her range and her ability to bring out the strengths and flaws of her character. From leading action franchises to complex dramatic character studies and everything in between, Lawrence has shown so much in her 15-year career and it’s exciting to see where her career will take her in the future now that she has returned from taking a well-deserved short break.

Here are my top 5 performances by Jennifer Lawrence in chronological order:

Winter’s Bone (2010)

Lawrence’s breakthrough came in 2010 when she starred in the independent film, Winter’s Bone. The film follows 17-year-old Ree (Lawrence) who is the main caregiver for her mentally ill mother (Valerie Richards) and also looks after her younger siblings by teaching them how to fend for themselves in the Ozark Mountain wilderness. Winter’s Bone is magical to watch because Lawrence is so magnetic and charismatic that her impending rise to stardom was inevitable. The film is regarded as one of the biggest indie successes as it was made on a $2 million budget and made over $16 million in the box office, resulting in a slew of Oscar nominations, including Lawrence’s first nomination for Best Leading Actor. Even though she didn’t win, she was constantly viewed as one to watch, and with the upcoming Hunger Games due to be released, Winter’s Bone is an excellent beginning for what can only be described as an incredible career.

Silver Linings Playbook (2013)

The film that won Lawrence her Oscar and cemented her place as a Hollywood staple was Silver Linings Playbook. Marking the first of three collaborations with David O’Russell as well as the first of six collaborations with co-star Bradley Cooper, Lawrence plays Tiffany, a widow who struggles with her mental health following the death of her husband and finds herself unemployed after sleeping with everyone in her office. Silver Linings Playbook is one of the best films when it comes to discussing mental health and this is thanks to the nuanced performances by Lawrence and Cooper, whose character Pat has been diagnosed with bipolar. What makes this performance special and incredible is considering how young Lawrence was when the film was made and released as the character of Tiffany was 40 in the book but was re-written to be younger to suit Lawrence’s age. Despite this age difference, Lawrence still provides the depth to the character and while the specific nature of Tiffany’s diagnosis is not discussed in the film, Lawrence’s nuanced performance shines through and we still emote and feel Tiffany’s struggles.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

One of the roles that helped Lawrence make her mark in Hollywood was her turn as protagonist Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games franchise. The series follows Katniss, a young woman who finds herself in the deadly titular games in which competitors have to fight to the death in a bid to be the last one standing. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is one of those rare occurrences where the sequel is better than the original and this is partially thanks to Lawrence’s impeccable performance. This isn’t to say that Lawrence’s performance is anything less than brilliant in The Hunger Games, but there is a maturity and nuance that she provides in Catching Fire that could arguably be thanks to the vast experience that she gained between the films. Catching Fire is the strongest book in the series and the film is no exception as we see Katniss conflicted between her role as provider for her family and helping lift her family from the poverty line and her position as the face of the rebellion against the evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland). The opening scene in which she encounters President Snow in District 12 and is threatened is one of the most intense scenes in any young adult adaptation. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire isn’t afraid of exploring more complicated themes such as loss, grief, and internal conflict and Lawrence truly becomes Katniss in this instalment.

mother! (2017)

Lawrence’s most controversial performance is arguably her best. Playing the titular character, Lawrence’s performance delves deep into the psychological trauma presented in the film as her character’s life begins to fall apart. The film was directed and written by Darren Aronofsky who is known for pushing boundaries and while his previous horror, Black Swan was more vast in its locations and scope, mother! is more contained and is set within the one house, adding to the claustrophobia and entrapment that the character feels. Mother lives with Him (Javier Bardem) in a tale that serves as an allegory for the Bible and as Him gains more followers beginning with man (Ed Harris) and woman (Michelle Pfeiffer), life spirals out of control to the point of tragedy and destruction. mother! received a polarised reception on release and is still discussed to this day thanks to its topical discussions and the extreme violence and chaos that ensues. However, Lawrence’s affecting and provoking performance cannot be denied and will go down as a career best. You can read my full review for mother! here.

Don’t Look Up (2021)

One of the most talked about films of 2021 was Adam McKay’s black comedy Don’t Look Up, which boasted one of the starriest casts in recent years. Led by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio, Don’t Look Up split opinion with audiences responding more positively than critics. While Don’t Look Up has its flaws, one of its strengths lies in Lawrence’s hilarious performance as she appears to have the best lines and even outperforms DiCaprio (which is never an easy feat). Lawrence plays scientist Kate Dibiasky who discovers the comet that threatens to destroy the Earth within months and provides her signature deadpan humour throughout with the best joke in the film being her confusion over a staff member at the White House charging her for food that is actually free. You can read my full review for Don’t Look Up here.

After taking a break for a few years, it seems as though Lawrence is back and better than ever as she has a slew of projects lined up for the future including Adam McKay’s biopic, Bad Blood, in which she plays the fraudulent businesswoman, Elizabeth Holmes and Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of the novel, Burial Rites, which explores the last woman executed for murder in Iceland to name just a few. Lawrence remains one of the most successful and popular actors in Hollywood regardless of her break, proving just how talented and charismatic she is.

What are your favourite Jennifer Lawrence performances? Let me know in the comments below!

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Quentin Tarantino: Film Ranking

If you asked a group of people for their favourite living filmmaker, there is a strong chance that a large percentage of them will say the name: Quentin Tarantino. One of the greatest and most original minds to come out of the film industry in the history of film, Tarantino practically defined 90s cinema with his look into the gangster underworld of Los Angeles. His films are known for their strong use of language, gratuitous violence and the iconic writing style that Tarantino brings to his dialogue. The owner of two Best Original Screenplay Oscars (for Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained), he has yet to win a Best Director gong. With the release of this year’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, could this be another successful awards season for Tarantino?

Tarantino had always stated that he intended to make 10 features. Counting Kill Bill as one, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood would be his ninth and, therefore, penultimate picture. I thought it would be a great celebration of his work to revisit his films old and new and see how I would stack them up when compared to each other.

Here are the reviews for the films of Quentin Tarantino:

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Possibly one of the most (if not the most) iconic debuts ever to be delivered by a filmmaker, Reservoir Dogs follows a group of men who are given colour code names such as Mr. Orange and Mr. Brown and their attempt to carry out a diamond heist. A pretty simple plot but the genius of the film comes from Tarantino’s decision to not show the heist itself. What we are presented with is the run-up to the heist and it’s consequences when it goes wrong. Featuring a brilliant cast including Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen and Tim Roth. My favourite performance comes from Steve Buscemi who plays the fearfully paranoid Mr. Pink. Among the men, Pink is clearly the outsider from the beginning when he refuses to give the waitress a tip. The script may seem simple but it is anything but. There is a rhythm and style that would come to define a Tarantino feature such as extensive allegories and numerous pop culture references. The soundtrack for this film has also become somewhat of a legend in its own right and has become a reference point for a lot of modern filmmakers. Tarantino himself claims that this film is the closest to being a “perfect” film which although I see the argument for, I would say that he has managed to make even better films. It would be a shame to think that his first film was his best.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

If you had to say one film that defines the 1990s, I think the majority of people would say Pulp Fiction. From the iconic poster design, extreme violence and brilliant dialogue, Pulp Fiction catapulted Tarantino to the top of the A list, winning him the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Starring John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson as suave hitmen Vincent Vega and Jules Winnifield who work for drug lord Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) and his cocaine-addicted wife, Mia (Uma Thurman in her most recognisable role). Pulp Fiction is bigger and better than its predecessor with an even more starry cast, bigger budget and killer direction. Even 25 years on, it is still commonly referenced for its costumes and standout scenes such as Jules’ biblical recitation before blowing the brains out of a man who attempted to double-cross Wallace. It is undoubtedly Jackson who is the shining star of this gangster masterpiece as he brings his trademark attitude. You know you did a great job when the person who beat you to the Oscar says that you should have won. There’s a reason why Pulp Fiction marked the start of the iconic collaborations between Tarantino and Jackson. Their love of action, violence and strong language makes the perfect pairing. Besides every time Jackson is onscreen, my favourite scene is Christopher Walken’s iconic monologue as Captain Koons, an Army veteran who survived the war and is gifting his son, Butch (Chandler Lindauer and Brue Willis playing the younger and older versions, respectively) his prized watch. Only Walken could deliver the monologue with the sincerity and conviction that his does.

Jackie Brown (1997)

Jackie Brown is one of those films that finds itself among the top of people’s favourite Tarantino films or worst. Sadly, it is among the bottom of my list but not because it is a bad film by any means. It is simply because of its nature as an adaptation. When I watch a Tarantino, I want to see the usual quirks in the dialogue which I think isn’t there as much as other films. Following Pam Grier as the titular air stewardess who becomes embroiled in a smuggling scandal, Tarantino relies on a great cast to carry out this complex web and pulls it off which include Samuel L. Jackson with a fantastic haircut. Known for her starring roles in Blaxploitation flicks, Grier herself is amazing and had such a powerful presence onscreen. She doesn’t just give a great performances, she becomes Jackie. It’s one of my favourite performances in the Tarantino catalogue but I just feel that there are elements such as the odd pacing that let the film as a whole down. It would be nice to see Tarantino reunite with Grier on a new project, perhaps his 10th (and supposedly last) feature. The film is grounded in reality a bit more than the others and I think the fact that any director could have made this film is why it ranks low. When I watch a Tarantino film, I want it to be distinctively Tarantino but I don’t get that from this film and as previously stated, I think that comes from the fact that it is an adaptation. The man thrives from his originality and it’s what the audience loves.

Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

I remember watching Kill Bill for the first time and being blown away by the strength of the protagonist. The film follows the vengeful ex-assassin The Bride who seeks revenge on her former colleagues when they kill her wedding rehearsal party on the orders of Bill, the man who runs the group. Kill Bill is intended to be watched as one film but due to running length was divided into two volumes. The first volume is seen as the Eastern installment as The Bride ventures to Japan to face the first assassin O-Ren Oshii (Lucy Liu). There are so many reasons why my love for this film is unequivocal such as the clear appreciation for Japanese cinema and culture, the amazing use of animation within the film and most of all, the wide abundance of fleshed out female characters. This film is known for its extreme violence and high body count but don’t let this put you off. Playing the woman who lost everything, including her unborn baby, Thurman’s performance is undeniably ruthless, unapologetic and emotionally charged to the max. Even though she seems unbreakable and unemotional on the surface but you sense her pain underneath the surface from the opening scene with Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox). Tarantino uses various elements such as sound mixing and colour giving the film its flamboyance and elevating it beyond realism and into fantasy.

Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)

Following on from Vol 1, Kill Bill: Vol 2 takes us back to America where the Bride has the second half of her list left to kill in the form of Bill’s failure of a brother, Budd (Michael Madsen), the merciless Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah) and Bill himself (David Carradine). This installment has a larger focus on the Bride’s background before the massacre took place and her journey to becoming an assassin. I love how both films have become a genre of their own. The body count may be a fraction of its predecessor but it still includes some of the most terrifying scenes in film (insert buried alive segment here) and is captivating in its own way. We see the Bride’s emotional journey and her guard slips as she makes some unexpected discoveries in her quest for blood. I think that together, Kill Bill makes for a fantastic saga and would definitely be among my favourite films of the 21st century so far.

Death Proof (2007)

I know there are some people that wouldn’t put Death Proof in the list due to it being part of a two-part feature titled Grindhouse with fellow director and friend, Robert Rodriguez directing Planet Terror (2007). Death Proof is a Texan action led by Kurt Russell as a stuntman who murders women with his car. The film is split into two parts with one group of women’s fates determined the first half and another group in the second half. Death Proof is often viewed as Tarantino’s worst and it is but it’s not a bad film. It is entertaining and Russell is brilliant as the killer in the “death-proof” car. It’s not as complex as other Tarantino films and doesn’t perhaps have the gumption or wow factor that the others have. That being said, for what it wants to be, it delivers in spades. The soundtrack is great and Rose McGowan and Mary Elizabeth Winstead are great in their roles as Pam and Lee, respectively. It’s pretty great that Tarantino and Rodriguez cast McGowan in a leading role in both films to spite Harvey Weinstein for what he did to her. McGowan shines in both films and it would be great to see her make a return to films in roles as amazing as the Grindhouse duo.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

The first Tarantino film I watched and boy was it a great pick. Undoubtedly one of the best opening scenes in film history, Tarantino manages to create tension with a glass of milk. The film is a reimagining of Nazi-occupied France during the war with Brad Pitt playing Aldo Raine who leads a group of men known as “The Basterds” who are set on killing Nazis and collecting their scalps. Inglourious Basterds also includes what I would argue is Tarantino’s best character today in the erringly charismatic SS Officer, Hans Landa. Played spectacularly by Christoph Waltz in a role that would see him in his Hollywood breakthrough and take home every Supporting Actor Award including the Cannes Film Festival, BAFTA and the Academy Award. Landa is a character who commands your attention. He’s despicable and manipulative, the sociopathic changes are intriguing to watch such as him loving his nickname “Jew Hunter” in the opening scene when intimidating a local farmer, to despising the name when realising that the Nazis are set on losing the war. His motives and outlook can never be understood because he is such a whirlwind character. He seems to take his job seriously one moment then not at all the next and flits the fate of others with ease, not finding it difficult to kill if he sees fit. I don’t think there’s a character that has unsettled a global audience as much as Hans Landa has and yet you long for him to be on the screen because the character is so engaging. Tarantino’s screenwriting is possibly his best, which he clearly knows from the final frame when Aldo looks into the camera and says “this might be my masterpiece”.

Django Unchained (2012)

Bringing his love for spaghetti westerns to the frontline for this Civil War epic, Tarantino’s 3 hour Django Unchained follows Jamie Foxx as the titular character and his quest to find his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) in the Deep South were slavery is very much a thriving business. With the help of bounty hunter Dr King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), Django’s adventure sees Tarantino using an endless amount of fake blood and a controversial multitude of n-words throughout which faced criticism from individuals such as Spike Lee. I do think this is a film plagued with indulgence and excess in its violence, language and numerous endings but it does have very strong points. The cast are perfect in their roles particularly Christoph Waltz as Schultz and Leonardo DiCaprio as plantation owner Calvin Candie. Waltz is charismatic and charming as a man set on freeing slaves and hunting killers and would go on to win a second Best Supporting Actor gong although I personally think his role is a lead not supporting performance. DiCaprio’s performance on the other side is chilling and captivating as he relishes in torturing the slaves.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Concluding the western trilogy in Tarantino’s catalogue, we venture to Wyoming in the aftermath of the Civil War. There’s a heavy blizzard and eight murderous brutes are trapped in Minnie’s Haberdashery including the honourable John “The Hangman” Ruth (Kurt Russell), country hunter Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) and a career-best from Jennifer Jason Leigh as the disgustingly brilliant Daisy Domergue who John is bringing to Red Rock to hang. Like all Tarantino films, this one is also a mash-up of genres. It is primarily western but is also murder mystery, comedy and thriller. The film’s composer, Ennio Morricone stated that he wrote the score for a horror film which would end up being the film’s strongest point and leading to Morricone’s long-awaited Oscar. It’s a truly brilliant soundtrack and elevates the rhythm of the dialogue which is so important in the moments of extreme tension. Tarantino’s writing is tight and every character has been fleshed out, admittedly some more than others, but each one is memorable in their own way. It’s an interesting inclusion and the film shows a maturity in Tarantino’s filmmaking. There is violence, granted, as expected but Tarantino is more focused on his script and positioning of characters than the actual violence.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

I have already written an extensive review on this one (which you can read here) so I won’t go into too much detail. What I will say is that it has a very good chance of scoring some nominations and potential wins going into awards season. It’s nice seeing Tarantino returning to California for his penultimate film and it seems like a film that he was destined to make. The personal touches are definitely here in what seems to be a return to the place where he grew up.

So we’re all up to date and I eagerly await to see what Tarantino has up his sleeve for his tenth and supposed final feature. Undoubtedly, it will be one of the biggest events in film history with actors and crew members alike clambering at the chance to work with him. There’s only one Tarantino and there certainly won’t be another director like him again.

With all that said and done, here is my final ranking:

1) Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

2) Inglourious Basterds (2009)

3) Reservoir Dogs (1992)

4) Pulp Fiction (1994)

5) Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)

6) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

7) The Hateful Eight (2015)

8) Django Unchained (2012)

9) Jackie Brown (1997)

10) Death Proof (2007)

I know it’s probably shocking having Kill Bill: Volume 1 at the top, but there is something incredibly empowering to me seeing a female character leading a blockbuster four hour saga. I hope people refer back to this when people claim that audiences don’t want to see women in film.

Which Tarantino is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Top 5 Daniel Day-Lewis Performances

When it comes to listing the greatest actors in history, it would be pretty arrogant to not throw Daniel Day-Lewis’ name into the mix. The man puts the method in method acting and is renowned for his ability to truly become his characters. His refusal to break character offscreen or follow the typical hollywood lifestyle brings a sense of mystique to this genius who clearly has a passion for acting. Famously selective about his roles from early on in his career, he may not have the most extensive filmography but what is there is only the best and is full of brilliant collaborations with the best actors and directors.

He is the only actor to have won the Best Leading Actor Oscar three times and remains a titan in acting, even if he has retired (he has “retired” before and returned so who knows if this retirement will stick). Day-Lewis is in a league of his own when it comes to actors working today (the closest would probably be Joaquin Phoenix or Gary Oldman).

It’s been hard to pick top 5 but I have managed to do so. Here is my list of top 5 performances in chronological:

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

This early entry in Day-Lewis’ filmography is perhaps one of his most controversial. Made in 1985, Day-Lewis portrays Johnny Burfoot, a white Londoner who embarks on a romantic relationship with Omar Ali (Gordon Warnecke) who is struggling with his identity as a British-born gay man of Pakistani descent in volatile, racist Britain. The eeriness of this film comes in how relevant it feels today 35 years on. Stephen Frears refusing to bow to stereotype in this film, creating characters that are rounded and break the mould. In a general landscape that isolated homosexuals, My Beautiful Laundrette shows a relationship filled with adventure and excitement. The chemistry between the two leads is magnetic and it’s great to see a film about a gay couple that has a happy ending, something that is notoriously refused in the majority of mainstream LGBT+ cinema.

My Left Foot (1989)

The one that propelled Day-Lewis to stardom. Portraying disabled artist Christy Brown, Day-Lewis went full method for the role and refused to break character offscreen to channel the struggle of Brown’s experience with cerebral palsy. It brought Day-Lewis a global audience and his first Academy Award nomination and win. Christy is mischievous and hilarious, aiming to live his life to the fullest. A supporting cast led by Fiona Shaw who plaus Dr. EIleen Cole, Christy’s carer and Brenda Fricker as Bridget Fagan brown, Christy’s mother (who also won a Supporting ACtress Oscar for her performance) brings an authneticity to this low-budget Irish production. The film relies on the performance of its actors and refuses to use any Hollywood flares or special effects. This is a great introduction into the career of Daniel Day-Lewis and shows how capable and fearless he was from early in his career as well as providing an insight into what will become a flourishing and groundbreaking filmography.

Gangs of New York (2002)

The film that paired Day-Lewis up with Martin Scorsese for an epic that explores the conflict between Irish and Italian Americans. Based on a true story, it’s a film that explores what it takes to be a “true” American. In this nativist vs. immigrant plot, Day-Lewis plays William “Bill the Butcher” Cutting, a cruel leader of the nativist gang who refuse to allow the Irish settlers ownership on American land. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Amstardam whose father Vallon (Liam Neeson) dies at the hands of Bill in the opening scene and seeks his revenge years later under his new alias. The film itself falls short of its potential due to its odd pacing and the overall scope of the film feeling too big for its three hour running time but Day-Lewis’ performance elevates it and makes it worth the watch. Bill is maniacal and devious with no redeeming quality but he is also extremely charismatic. It’s flamboyant and subtle at the same time. Only Day-Lewis could pull the performance off in this way.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

The role to end all roles. The character of Daniel Plainview is nothing short of iconic. Day-Lewis is on fire in this role as a greedy prospector who soughts to purchase land that sits on oil. The film deservedly won him his second Best Actor Academy Award and for good reason. It’s a brilliant performance that shows the true greed of mankind and how much they are willing to destroy in order to gain more power. This film marks his first collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson and serves as a definite high point for both of their careers. They are a duo who click together so well with Anderson’s penchant for brilliant character development and Day-Lewis’ commitment to character is unlike any other. It’s the movie that gave us “I drink your milkshake” in what can only be described as one of the best film endings. Add Paul Dano to the supporting cast and you have one of the best combinations of a director/writer and cast seen in 21st century film.

Phantom Thread (2017)

Day-Lewis’ “final” role sees him reunite with Paul Thomas Anderson as a renowned couturier, Reynolds Woodcock, inspired by a culimation of designers including Charles James. He’s a man with an inpenetrable exterior that is soon challenged by a chance encounter with waitress, Alma (Vicky Krieps) who becomes his muse when his creativity wanes. They spark a professional and romantic relationship and his business starts booming again as Reynolds finds his inspiration to design. Always watched over by his eagle-eyed sister, Cyril (Lesley Manville), we see the highs and lows of Reynolds’ career and the challenges he faces when the sparks begin to fade. The character contrasts greatly with the previous Anderson outing. Reynolds is a more subdued character who can say just as much with a simple grimace or flourish of the hand in the same way that Daniel Plainview used his persuasive chat to manipulate. Day-Lewis was deservedly nominated for the major awards in what is a beautiful swansong to a brilliant career.

As you can see, there are many brilliant performances that didn’t make the list, in particular In The Name of the Father (1993) and Lincoln (2012), the latter of which won him his third Best Actor gong. It’s always difficult choosing my favourite performances but how do you do it when pretty much every performance is perfect? There really is no wrong answer when it comes to Daniel Day-Lewis as it is likely that you will feel impacted by his performances.

Which film is your favourite from Daniel Day-Lewis? Let me know in the comments below!

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Top 10 Tom Hanks Performances

It’s no secret that I am a huge Tom Hanks fan. He has been one of my favourite actors for as long as I can remember and there is a reason why he is so loved by everyone. An extremely talented actor and nice personality, Tom Hanks has built a reputation for being one of the most respected actors in history and it’s easy to see why. It was so difficult for me to pick a top 5 so I’ve gone ahead and done a top 10 instead. This list is only the tip of the iceberg for this man’s career and shows his range. We see him evolve from a kid adult to a prison officer working on Death Row to portraying Walt Disney himself.

Hanks is an actor who encapsulates his roles and is a constant draw for the box office. He’s worked with some of the best directors and actors around particularly Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away and The Polar Express) and Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, The Terminal, Catch Me If You Can and Bridge of Spies). There’s no performance that he has done that I don’t love. Admittedly, the Dan Brown films are one of my guilty pleasures even though they are absolutely ridiculous but Tom Hanks brings such an enthusiastic performance that I find them so much fun to watch, especially Angels and Demons.

Here are my top 10 in chronological order:

Big (1989)

Big is one of those films that I could watch time and time again and never get bored. Following Josh Baskin, a young boy who wishes to grow up and then does overnight. This film is made even better when he grows up into Tom Hanks. Hanks has so much fun as adult Josh in this role as he fills his apartment with everything a cool kid had in the 80s. He is the perfect mix of charming and hilarious. I mean, who doesn’t love the scene with the piano?

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

It wouldn’t be a true Tom Hanks list without featuring a classic Nora Ephron romcom with Hanks and costar Meg Ryan. My favourite of the bunch is Sleepless in Seattle which makes my heart melt every time I watch it. Hanks plays Sam, a grieving architect whose son calls into a radio show to tell their story. In true Ephron form this film is the true epitome of the romcom genre and is a delight to watch. The climactic scene on the observation deck of the Empire State building has me screaming at the TV every time.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Possibly the most famous Tom Hanks role, Forrest Gump sees Hanks play the iconic titular character who sees the world in a different way. Bringing Hanks the Best Leading Actor Oscar for the second year in a row after the previous year’s Philadelphia, Forrest Gump propelled Hanks into a global phonenom and landed him at the top of every director’s list. His performance is not condescending nor over the top as he places a heavy focus on Forrest’s naivity rather than his disabilities.

Toy Story Franchise (1995-present)

It would have been a crime not to include these but I couldn’t pick just one. Tom Hanks’ Voicework as Woody the toy cowboy is nothing short of extraordinary and really brings the toys to life. For over 20 years, Pixar have charmed us with the story about a group of toys who watch their owner grow up. Hanks’ performance is worked up and super stressed as Woody struggles to keep his control. He’s a brilliantly flawed character who constantly makes mistakes doing what he thinks is right. The fourth installment that was released this year was revolutionary for Woody as he finally embarks on a life that he wants.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Hanks’ first collaboration with Spielberg is probably the most dramatic and to that point, “blockbustery” of his career. Playing Captain John H. Miller who leads a small group of soldiers to find and rescue the missing Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), Hanks made his mark as the big leading man in cinema. It’s the film that should have swept the Oscars but was beaten by Shakespeare in Love in a huge misjustice for the Best Picture gong (don’t get me started). What separates this film from other war films is that Hanks between the heart of the film and shows the emotion behind the fighting.

The Green Mile (1999)

The Green Mile is one of those films that brings me to tears every time I watch it. Following Hanks as head prison officer, Paul Edgecomb, working in the Death Row block. When a 6 foot black man, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), is jailed on the block, mysterious events begin to happen that cause Paul to challenge his morals and his faith. It’s a brilliant film that I don’t think receives the praise that it deserves, mainly due to it being the second prison based Stephen King adaptation after The Shawshank Redemption in 1994. Hanks is fantastic as Edgecomb. He is sharp, observant and has a strong moral compass. The scenes with him and Duncan make for some heart wrenching cinema as the truth behind Coffey’s imprisonment come to light.

Cast Away (2000)

If I had to pick one Tom Hanks performance to put at the top of my list, this would be the one. It’s iconic, it’s fantastic and it should have earned Hanks his third Oscar. Hanks plays Fedex driver, Chuck Noland, who survives a plane crash and becomes stranded on a desert island for year. The premise is simple but the film is anything but. Hanks goes all out to deliver a career best performance that sees Chuck removing teeth with an ice-skate blade, catching fish with a spear and finding companionship with a volleyball called Wilson. What makes this film truly standout is Hanks’ ability to keep the audience’s attention by himself for the film’s 143 minutes.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

This fun flick sees Hanks reunite with Steven Spielberg for the chase of a century as Hanks plays FBI agent, Carl Hanratty on the hunt for Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young conman across the globe. It’s a brilliantly entertaining film to watch as Hanks fails time and time again to capture Abagnale. Hanks and DiCaprio are an odd pairing for leads but it works really well and you can tell that both are having a good time.

Captain Phillips (2013)

This gem of a film is a stellar thriller that showcases Hanks’ timelessness as an actor. Playing the titular character whose cargo ship is overrun by Somali pirates, Hanks works brilliant alongside Barkhad Abdi who plays Somali pirate, Abduwali Muse. Most of the cast in this film are fairly unknown and it’s nice to see that although Hanks is the lead, that others are given the chance to shine, particularly Abdi, who won a BAFTA for his performance. Hanks isn’t an actor who has to hog the spotlight every time he is onscreen.

Saving Mr Banks (2013)

Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. Do I even need to say more? It’s one icon playing another and it is perfect casting. I absolutely adore this film and am always watching it when it is on the TV. Following author P L Travers (Emma Thompson) as she is pursued relentlessly by Disney who wants to adapt her famous Mary Poppins books into a film, we see Travers enter a world she has no interest in. Hanks is truly magical as the big man himself and lights up the screen everytime he appears.

So there you have it! We have journeye through the highlights of this legend’s career. With a deserved life achievement Cecil B Demille award on its way from the 2020 Golden Globes, Hanks’ career is far from over. I am excited to see his upcoming films.

Which Tom Hanks performances are your favourites? Let me knows in the comments below!

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Top 5 Leonardo DiCaprio Performances

Leonardo DiCaprio is a rare sort of actor nowadays. He is the most profitable outside of those who have worked in superhero franchises and manages to still pull in an audience of all kinds. Beloved since his career-making turn as an autistic teenager in 1993’s What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? DiCaprio has evolved from child star to young heartthrob, playboy to a mature rounded actor who can seemingly master any role he plays. This year saw his second collaboration with renowned director, Quentin Tarantino and it hs propelled him into the race for the Best Actor gongs this awards season.

During a time where his star someone seems to still be on a rise despite being at the top of his game, I thought I’d compile a list of my top 5 performances from DiCaprio. This proved difficult and it’s not to say that anything excluded means that it’s bad, I just didn’t have the space.

Here’s my top 5 in chronological order:

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? (1993)

The film that brought DiCaprio to worldwide attention and melted the hearts of a global audience, DiCaprio plays Arnie Grape, the younger brother of the titular character (played by Johnny Depp), who acts as his carer. Playing a role such as Arnie is deeply complex and requires much maturity that a lot of actors don’t possess, but DiCaprio shows his dedication to the craft beautifully. Arnie is a hopeful individual who Gilbert thinks the world of. DiCaprio’s performance is tender and layered as we see the character’s frustration rise throughout the film until it explodes. It earned DiCaprio a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor (many people even think he should have won). A role such as this would be a good enough highlight for any actor’s resume, but for DiCaprio, this is only the beginning of a blossoming career.

Titanic (1997)

I would be lying if I said this wasn’t my favourite DiCaprio performance. The iconic love story that defines the Hollywood blockbuster and tells the fictional story of two star-crossed lovers on the doomed 1912 liner that sank to the sea after hitting an iceberg. DiCaprio plays Jack Dawson, an artist with a hard-working attitude who wins tickets for the Titanic at a game of poker. He stays in a third-class cabin with his friend Fabrizio (Danny Nucci) and fate hands him a meeting with the beautiful first-class passenger, Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet). If What’s Eating GIlbert Grape? was a stroke of luck then Titanic cemented his superstar status. He lost out on a much-deserved Oscar-nomination but he was instantly recognised by fans everywhere. Jack and Rose’s story immediately became synonamous with classic Hollywood and the film is still loved around the world. I can’t even begin to explain how much I love this film. It must be among my most watched films of all time and partly because of the sincerity and heart in DiCaprio’s performance.

The Aviator (2004)

DiCaprio’s first collaboration with Martin Scorsese showed that DiCaprio is more than capable of leading a dramatic feature at top billing. He does so perfectly in this Howard Hughes biopic in his turn as the legendary producer through the high times of his career. DiCaprio won a Golden Globe for his performance and lost out on an Academy Award. The Aviator is an interesting insight into the Golden Age of Hollywood and what people will do to hold onto the power and fame that they have. Even against a strong supporting cast, particularly Cate blanchett in an Oscar-winning turn as Hughes’ love interest, Katharine Hepburn, DiCaprio holds himself with ease. I was torn between this and his more recent Scorsese collaboration, The Wolf of Wall Street but I think that this film bridges the gap between his heartthrob days and his breaking into “serious” acting as he isn’t afraid of allowing him to become immersed in the role.

Django Unchained (2012)

After scheduling conflicts got in the way of him playing Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds (2009), Quentin Tarantino cast DiCaprio as the evil plantation owner, Calvin Candie who is introduced into the 3 hour film halfway through but manages to make such an impact that it influences the entire film. The film follows former slave, Django (Jamie Foxx) as he and bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) seek to track down and free Django’s wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) who has been sold to Candie and works at his Candieland plantation. It’s a film that was mired in controversy from the beginning due to its excessive use of racial slur and extreme violence. The hard-hitting parts of the film come from Candie’s treatment of the slaves such as forcing them to partake in “Mandingo fighting” where two black men are forced to fight to the death for their owners’ entertainment. The scene is brutal and hard to watch as Django looks on helplessly as Candie cheers as his man wins. What makes this role so different for DiCaprio is that this role is the first where his character is not lovable in any way. Candie’s evil nature is clear when he has a slave ripped to shreds by dogs in front of Django to show his power as a white man.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

In his second collaboration with Tarantino, DiCaprio is promoted to the leading role as fading actor, Rick Dalton. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is witty and shows DiCaprio in top form. I have written a full review which you can read here. I wouldn’t be surprised to see DiCaprio’s name filling up nomination spots come awards season as this is a role that he pulls off fantastically as the self-pitying, alcoholic actor.

As I come to the end of this list, I want to give a really special shoutout to his mega turn as Jordan Belfort in martin Scorsese’s 2013 hit, The Wolf of Wall Street. Admittedly, this is the top 5 that my gut went with and it breaks my heart not to include this or his Oscar-winning turn in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s The Revenant but as I said in my introduction, there are so many performances to choose from and they are the five that made the biggest impact on me.

What do you think? What’s your favourite Leonardo DiCaprio performance? Let me know in the comments below!

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Top 5 Kate Winslet Performances

After writing my post on Leonardo DiCaprio (which you can read here), it only makes sense to follow this on with a post on his most famous co-star, Kate Winslet. Following a meteoric rise during the 1990s, she also was nominated for a ton of Academy Awards before finally landing one in 2008. Her extensive resume has seen her play in period pieces, quirky indies and big-budget blockbusters. Winslet has become synonymous with the great British actresses of all time and is certainly among the best actresses working today.

Compiling a list of my top 5 performances was tricky because I knew instantly what they were; however, they come from the rise and peak of career so the last instalment is 2008. That isn’t to say that she hasn’t done good films since (the HBO series Mildred Pierce and Danny Boyle’s 2015 film Steve Jobs are proof of this) but these are the performances that stand out to me.

Here are my top 5 in chronological order:

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Peter Jackson’s graphic retelling of the controversial Parker-Hulme murders shows the imagination of two teenage friends as they descend into madness and fix fantasy and reality. Melanie Lynskey plays working-class Pauline Parker and Kate Winslet plays the affluent Juliet Hulme. Proving her acting chops at a young age, Winslet commands the screen as sickly Juliet. Winslet is magnetic in her role as a neglected teen, crumbling in the aftermath of her parents’ travelling, her fight with tuberculosis and her parents’ eventual divorce and lack of love for their daughter. She creates a world with working-class Pauline and together the two become completely entwined in their fantasyland known as Borovnia where artists are celebrated and religion is frowned upon. We see the girls become violently inseparable as reality and fantasy become one until the film’s horrific conclusion. The film catapulted Winslet into the public eye and served as a great debut that has made a lasting impact and showed how fearless an actor she is from a young age. Juliet is headstrong and has a brilliant imagination which is underlined with severe manipulation and a cruel nature.

Titanic (1997)

So I have spoken about my love for this film in my Leonardo DiCaprio post and yes, this is the quintessential Winslet performance. James Cameron’s masterpiece sees Winslet stars as aristocrat passenger, Rose Dewitt Bukater, on the doomed 1912 liner. It’s the modern classic blockbuster that brings tears to my eyes every time. Winslet’s performance brought her a second Oscar nomination (the first being for 1995’s Sense and Sensibility) and first for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Winslet is perfect in the role of Rose, a young privileged woman crippled by the expectations of society. She longs for freedom and finds it when she meets the carefree, Jack (DiCaprio), a working-class artist who got his ticket through a lucky game of poker. They go through a lifetime of love within the space of a few days before the ship’s fate is sealed. We see Rose evolve throughout the film as the first act sees her trapped and unhappily engaged to Cal (Billy Zane) to finding love and freedom with Jack (DiCaprio) and the final act sees her lose that love but keeping her freedom. Rose’s evolution to unshackle herself from the expectations of society is a testament to Winslet’s ability to show Rose as more than a damsel in distress.

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This film marked a huge turn in Winslet’s resume as she has become known for starring in period films. Charlie Kaufman’s insanely brilliant  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind follows the hopeless Joel (Jim Carrey) as he becomes enamoured with the mysterious and colourful Clementine (Winslet). When their relationship falls apart, Clementine goes to the controversial Lacuna Incorporated where people have their memories swiped of a specific person to rid . Joel attempts to do the same towards Clementine but tries to resist as he longs to hold onto the memories. The film is quirky, confusing and dazzling. It won the Academy Award for his brilliant screenplay and Winslet gained her third Oscar nomination. Clementine is deeply flawed but she is full of wonder and is a perfect opposite to Joel’s constant pessimism. Whereas Joel’s memory erasure comes out of malice for Clementine, hers came from the sadness of living a life in sadness. She is on a constant push to find belonging and love. I remember seeing this film for the first time and being mesmerised by Winslet’s performance. The character of Clementine is among my favourites of all time (as I discussed in my post on women in film which you can read here).

The Reader (2008)

The film that finally bagged Winslet the Oscar,  The Reader is a World War II period film following a young teenager, Michael (David Kross), as he becomes involved in an affair with an older illiterate woman, Hanna Schmitz (Winslet), who is eventually arrested and tried for her involvement with the Nazi party. The first act of the film shows the affair and then skips straight to the trial as Michael has read about Hanna’s arrest in the paper. As we only hear about Hanna’s crimes rather than seeing them in the film, we see the other guards from the camp coerce her into taking the full blame for signing a document that authorised a mass killing despite the fact that she is illiterate. Her humiliation in being illiterate forces her to accept that it is her signature and she is sentenced to life in prison. It’s a deeply complex performance that shows a human beneath a monster. We see Hanna deteriorate as she truly understands what happened in the camp and it begins to destroy her as she teaches herself to read and write. It’s as though Hanna functioned in her own world which we saw at the beginning of the film and as she learns to read and write, her world opens up and she realises that reality exists and suffers the consequences of her actions. Winslet won the Best Actress in Leading Role for this but I firmly believe that she should have won the Supporting Actress gong for this and the Lead for  Revolutionary Road but sadly her performance in  The Reader was classed as lead for some reason. It’s a supporting role but a bloody good one.

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Revolutionary Road (2008)

Now for the film that should have won Winslet the Leading Actress Oscar, Revolutionary Road reunites Winslet and DiCaprio for the adaptation of the novel that centres on the Wheeler family and their struggle to achieve the American Dream in the 1940s. Winslet plays April Wheeler, the failed actress who is stuck in a life as a stay-at-home mum. This film was among the most hyped of the year as it was also directed by Winslet’s then-husband Sam Mendes as well. The film itself is brilliant and passionate as we’re taken through the couple’s relationship from its hopeful start to its tragic end. The character of April is extremely interesting as she refuses to fit the template of the 1950s housewife. She gets a job as a secretary and saves up money to move to Paris to start a new life. Aside from the two leads, Michael Shannon provides a very intense performance as the Wheelers’ neighbour, John, who has recently been discharged from an asylum and his mother, Helen who is played brilliantly by Kathy Bates. April’s descent into hatred for herself and her life is a distressing one to watch but the performance is breath-taking.

It goes without saying that Winslet is one of my favourite all-time actresses and I am excited to see what future projects she takes part in. She demonstrates time and time again her amazing range and the strong women she chooses to portray.

What do you think? What are your favourite Winslet performances? Let me know in the comments below!

 

 

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Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)

Arguably the most hyped film of the year sees acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino return to his native Hollywood for his ninth (and penultimate) outing. Set in 1969 where hippies reigned and Hollywood stars are quickly on the wain, this film was always going to be the most personal for Tarantino as this film provides the backdrop of his own childhood. It’s a film that provides plenty of Tarantino techniques as well as showing his growth as a filmmaker and storyteller.

It seems only natural that a film set in Hollywood should discuss the cast first. A star studded ensemble headed by Oscar winner, Leonardo DiCaprio in his second collaboration with Tarantino as leading man Rick Dalton who is in desperate need for a decent role to revitalise his waning career. Dalton seems to wallow in self-pity as he is offered role after role on television but isn’t satisfied with the characters. Dalton is the polar opposite of DiCaprio, who is at a point in his life where he is playing some of the most interesting and challenging characters in film today. Ironically, the best character Dalton plays is himself, with a complex self-hatred which contrasts with his desire to see his face everywhere he goes (his house is cluttered with movie posters and his car parking space has a giant painting of his face). Dalton is surrounded by the expectations of the man he once was that he cannot live up to the standards of the actor he could be now. One of the best scenes in the film sees Rick have a drunken breakdown in his trailer when he lightly messes up a scene. Promising never to drink again as he swigs from his whiskey flask, it’s abundantly clear that Dalton’s worst enemy is himself. Partner this with Brad Pitt’s cool and collected Cliff Booth, Dalton’s long-term stunt double who lives in a crammed trailer with his dog behind a drive-through cinema, Cliff dreams of stability after allegedly killing his wife but his rough nature gets in the way. Featuring a controversial scene in which he beats the shit out of Bruce Lee, Booth appears introverted and vulnerable but has a violent streak in a bid to survive.

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One of the major talking points in the run up to the film was the handling of Hollywood actress, Sharon Tate, who was one of the real life victims of the Manson Murders. Portrayed by Margot Robbie, we see Sharon in the early stages of her career. From the get go, this was a perfect casting choice. Robbie has shown her strengths and growth as an actress from her breakout role in The Wolf of Wall Street to her Oscar-nominated turn in I, Tonya where she portrayed infamous ice-skater, Tonya Harding. Tate is a more relaxed departure and has a naivety as she navigates her career and enters public life alongside husband, Roman Polanksi who at this point had achieve international acclaim for Rosemary’s Baby. Renowned for her beauty and kind-nature, Tate was in the midst of releasing new film The Wrecking Crew in 1969. In a scene that is both heartwarming and breaking at the same time, we see Tate sneak into a cinema to watch her film among the general public. Her reactions as the audience laugh and cheer her character on allow us to see the woman behind the eventual tragedy, an opportunity for her to be known for something more than a murder victim. Of course it wouldn’t be a Tarantino film if we didn’t see someone’s feet which confused audiences alike. I think it was Tarantino’s way of paying tribute to her while also breaking the blur between reality and fiction. An odd tribute but a tribute all the same.

The big turning point in the film comes when Cliff visits Spahn Ranch, home of Charles Manson’s “family” after an encounter with a potentially underage member (Margaret Qualley). The tone mirrors that of a horror film as Cliff walks the long path to the head house to check on its owner, George Spahn (Bruce Dern). I think that this will go down as one of Tarantino’s best scenes as the direction is impeccable. By this point we’ve seen Cliff’s ability to fight so we know that he is capable of defending himself; however, Tarantino uses the hindsight and context of the situation to drive fear in the audience as crowds of young, waif-like hippies crowd around him in droves. It’s a scene that combines the suspense of The Hateful Eight, the Western qualities of Django Unchained and the hazy Californian setting of Pulp Fiction that brings something quintessentially Tarantino while also showing us something new.

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Now for my favourite part of any film – the script! I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tarantino among the nominees for Best Original Screenplay come awards season. He may even walk away with his third gong at the Academy Awards. The dialogue seems sharper and more realistically placed than his previous offerings. Tarantino does a great job of recreating his childhood through detailed settings and timely cultural references. Whereas Pulp Fiction has plenty of iconic quotes and relies on the words on the page, Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood is quite the opposite and much like its subject, it closes in on the actors and is very physically demanding. The film is largely reserved in its violence for the most part, culminating in a massive showdown at the end which justifies the 18 certificate it received. The film is profoundly analytical and draws more similarities to Boogie Nights than Pulp Fiction in my eyes due to the exposure of the grit beneath the glamour of stardom. Tarantino also takes away his use of “chapters”, instead splitting the films into specific days in the run up to the day of the Manson murders. The direction is brilliant in that it showcases a global talent from the confines of his house for the most part. The importance of the home is reiterated throughout the film as Sharon and Roman have recently moved in to the house next door to Rick who mainly stays in (mostly in part to the drinking problem he has as well as his will to ostracise himself). This is ultimately a film about Tarantino’s home literally and figuratively through his childhood but also cinema as a safe place.

The scope of this film is so vast that it is simply impossible to discuss every aspect in one simple review but it’s definitely a film that requires more than one watch. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tarantino even walked away with his long awaited Best Director Oscar which would thoroughly be deserved. This is the film that he was born to make and only builds up even more hype for his alleged final film. I have a feeling that this will be the film to beat.

Have you seen Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood yet? What did you think?

Let me know in the comments below!