First reactions hail Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as a bold "masterwork"

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Reactions to Quentin Tarantino's ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD have begun pouring out of the film's Cannes premiere and onto to Twitter, with many critics hailing the film as a stroke of cinematic genius and then some. Among the film's high praises comes the proclamation that Once Upon a Time … is giving fans some early Tarantino, PULP FICTION vibes. This should please fans of the ofttimes controversial director, as it points to the man not having lost his edge for sassy, stylish, and stark-raving mad cinema.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD, both written and directed by Tarantino, centers on the tale of a faded television actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double (Brad Pitt) who strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.

In addition to celebrating both DiCaprio and Pitt's flare for acting the shit out of any role they pour themselves into, one critic was quick to mention that Margot Robbie's performance as the late Sharon Tate arrives as the heart and soul of the film.

You can check out many of the tweets that have been making the rounds below:

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 – at #Cannes2019 (@filmfest_ca) May 21, 2019

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 @ Cannes (@mrRuimy) May 21, 2019

Obviously, not every critic was able to decide how they felt about the film, as it often takes time to flesh out a "detailed verdict" rather than present a knee-jerk hot take on what you've just seen. Personally, I'm still digesting the events of AVENGERS: ENDGAME, and that shit was weeks ago.

There will be many, many hot takes to come on the new Tarantino but I don’t mind letting mine cool off on the counter a little longer. I know it’s more relaxed than I was expecting, and that DiCaprio is terrific, funny and poignant. The rest, I’m gonna mull over. #Cannes2019

— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 21, 2019

To be completely honest I'm not yet sure what to make of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Need to let this one marinate, don't have an instant reaction. Most of the film is pretty good, I'm having fun watching them play around in late 60s Hollywood. Then the finale is HOLY FUCK.

— Alex Billington @ Cannes (@firstshowing) 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 Billington @ Cannes (@firstshowing) May 21, 2019

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or Tarantino’s bromance. Naturally in love with “the old timey movies” and LA. On set Western scenes are my fav. Wasn’t expecting to be so charmed by it #Cannes2019 pic.twitter.com/sp1fApO2I9

— Isabel Stevens (@IsStevens) May 21, 2019

I'm thinking #OnceUponATimeinHollywood is going to divide critics. Heck, I'm divided, and I'm just one critic. But I think the side of me that enjoyed it is going to win out. #Cannes2019

— Chris Knight (@ChrisKnightfilm) May 21, 2019

Others in attendance at the film's premiere took a particular shine to the way Tarantino and his team invited audience members onto the mean Hollywood streets, in addition to the projects portrayal of Charles Manson and his twisted cult of followers.

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

I reeeeally liked ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD #Cannes2019

— Emma Stefansky (@stefabsky) May 21, 2019

#OnceUponATimeInHollywood is a beautiful, brash rumination on the grime and beauty of Hollywood. It is a dirty, sensually realized feat, with many, many shots of dirty, sensualized feet.#QuentinTarantino #Cannes2019

— Jason Gorber – at #Cannes2019 (@filmfest_ca) May 21, 2019

I laughed. I gasped. I wondered: What would Roman Polanski think? I begrudgingly agreed not to tweet out spoilers. Tarantino delivers an ode to Hollywood's lost innocence, while cheekily suggesting it never had any to begin with. #OnceUponATimeinHollywood #Cannes2019 pic.twitter.com/DBgriD2Ihb

— Chris Knight (@ChrisKnightfilm) 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 @ Cannes (@mrRuimy) May 21, 2019

While those of us who were unable to attend the film's Cannes premiere will have to wait until its official July 26 release in theaters, the majority of these reactions bode well for the hype factor of Tarantino's ninth feature. Admittedly, my level of excitement for this project has been something of a slow burn, but now that I've heard what some very reputable people have to say, I'm starting to feel the rush. For the record, I've no doubt that ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD will be the talk of Tinseltown once it arrives with a bang in cinemas, and I'm more than ready for all the hot debates over its quality. Perhaps its best to buckle up and brace ourselves for when Tarantino's next smash belts us in the face like an overzealous stunt double. Bring it on.