Quentin Tarantino tells the truth about Weinstein in “Once Upon A Time In…Hollywood”

This is the first episode in a series of video essays I'm working on called 'Overanalysed.'
A lot has been made about what Once Upon A Time In Hollywood "really means." There are many existing video essays and analyses on offer, and many good ones. But pretty immediately after the first time I saw this film (I've seen it many, many times) I had a thought that it was, in some way, about Quentin Tarantino's relationship with his recently digraced executive producer and friend, Harvey Weinstein.
This Video Essay attempts to explore that line of enquiry to see what can be gleaned on the topic.
Please let me know what you think in the comments. And if you enjoyed this please subscribe - there's plenty more to come.
0:00 - Introduction
4:22 - Backstory
5:58 - Rick & Cliff
11:31 - The Hollywood Fairytale
14:05 - Saving Sharon Tate
17:36 - Rick & Cliff's Goodbye
21:40 - The Ending
22:18 - Housekeeping
Instagram: / rossmacfilms
#tarantino #tarantinofilms #tarantinomovies #quentintarantino
#videoessay #onceuponatimeinhollywood #harveyweinstein #bradpitt #leonardodicaprio #leodicaprio #cliffbooth #rickdalton #sharontate #filmanalysis #filmtheory #hollywood #pulpfiction #reservoirdogs #jackiebrown #django #ingloriousbasterds #hatefuleight #analysis

[@vvblues]

I reject your hypothesis.

[@HappyHighwayman]

I agree I feel the ending shows that their adventure is not over and Rick's career will be renewed.

[@TheCousinEddie]

@@HappyHighwayman I believe Oscar Jordan's comment is the same made by Q.T. when that feminist tried to put him on the hot seat about the violence against women in his movies. In a hundred lifetimes I could never be that cool.

[@barqsking]

@@HappyHighwayman In the novelization it is indeed renewed. Rick had a complete resurgence after he got so much attention in Hollywood.

[@HappyHighwayman]

@@barqsking Thanks!

[@lemorab1]

I didn't come away with this interpretation at all. Rick and Cliff will be written up as heroes in the newspapers over the next few weeks, for killing the hippie sociopaths. Both their careers will be rejuvenated, and Cliff's reputation will be restored. I think this is what the audience is supposed to come away with.

[@marcusispoor]

that intro of Quentin using his actual life premise to use some of that and tell a story, followed by this outstanding as you say "over analysed" take on Once Upon A Time honestly was such a smart and great use of clip. Definitely an interesting take on this film and I for one genuinely appreciate the work you put in and thank you for your perspective in which I personally would've never known about.

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks Mario, appreciate it

[@mphomagingxa7310]

Agreed!

[@jimray2281]

Ditto!

[@vvblues]

If you're an artist you need to include your reality in your art or your art is going to be pretty superficical. QT is referencing the famous Nina Simone quote about making art, even if he wasn't aware of her quote. With that said, I'm waiting for QT to chime into this thread and say, "You know nothing of my work!" There's a whole bunch of reaching going on and oh what balls to talk about someone like they're dead and can't defend themselves. Such long term talking narcissistic arrogance!

[@Wetzeem]

I was familiar with the Manson murders, and heard a lot of people rejecting to see this film bc it idolized the murderers. However, I felt so much redemption when Rick hit them with the flame thrower. However, once the credits were rolling, it was just as you said - back to reality. And I found myself in tears because I was wishing so hard this is what would have happened. But, like you said, this was only a fantasy, temporary. The moment of redemption I felt though for those that had past was so strong. Maybe that’s why the emotional come down was also so strong. Either way, one of my favorite films of all time. I recommend reading the accompanying novel.

[@rmacfarlane]

Yeah after all the laughter that came from the flamethrower scene, there was a strangely stunned silence in the cinema as the lights came on and people started to get up. Loved the novel!

[@Khwerz]

It's like a dream in the middle of a depressive stupor.

[@travismiles5885]

Tarantino spoke to Sharon Tate's sister and got her blessing. Initially she didn't want it done and he asked for a meeting and told her how Sharon was going to be portrayed in the movie. She's portrayed as a spirit, an angel, a "what might have been" and makes you wonder what we missed because she is gone. Quentin handled the scenes about Sharon perfectly. The movie didn't really idolize the Manson family. The Charles Manson character is seeing once and briefly when Brad Pitt's character is up on the roof repairing the TV antenna. The movie actually gave Tex Watson more screentime than he's ever probably gotten in any other Mattson movie

[@eastcoastsailingcenter7768]

Overated

[@bentnickel7487]

I was 20 y/o in 1969 and was shocked when I heard about Tate. Years later, I read that Steve McQueen was invited to that little party at Tate's, but didn't go, for some small reason. I wonder sometimes, if McQueen would have been there, if it would have happened. I know McQueen wasn't Superman, but the list of people at that party that night, were women and gays, not a real man among them to stand up to Manson's cowards. Read "Helter Skelter", one real man could have turned that murder scene, into a shouting match.

[@RaindropGroptop]

The accuracy of speculation becomes irrelevant if that speculation is well-written and done with the intent of initiating a new conversation. Whether Cliff was loosely based on Harvey or not, I appreciate the effort it took to string together so many hypotheticals in a presentable manner. Nice work on the video; I hope you find the time and motivation to make more cinema-based content.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks. Yeah since there's no way of proving this theory anyway, I wanted to make it as entertaining as possible, kind of like a Tarantino movie, so thanks for your comment. And more stuff in the works

[@mikearchibald744]

Good first sentence. I didn't watch it, don't really care, just like to read the comments about film theory, and any time a new idea is brought out then thats interesting to discuss. Exercising the brain is always a good idea. If it hits on a movie I'm more interested then I'd watch it, I heard too many negatives about this movie to bother.

[@jackbedient]

What Groptop said…

[@Catherine_Dana]

@@rmacfarlane UR Analogy is too 🆒

[@Catherine_Dana]

@@rmacfarlane Harvey Disappointed Tarantino too🎬 & we all know he uses his own painfully emotional experiences in fun🎥caricatured versions in his own unique & whimsical yet cool action driven movies🤭

[@christheghostwriter]

That quick cut to Walken saying "up his ass" was the highlight of this very well-done video

[@rmacfarlane]

i'm glad someone gets it. You're the only person who's mentioned it!

[@CMTT]

The use of Will Smith's slap with sound effect is golden

[@rmacfarlane]

Couldn’t resist

[@artisaprimus6306]

Quentin Tarantino offered us an alternative ending, a happy ending to one of the most horrific, vile crimes in American history. I felt good at the end, while feeling overwhelming sadness because of what really happened that fateful night in 1969. He portrays Sharon Tate as innocent, sweet and genuinely good person. It makes her brutal murder all the more painful. A great story teller.

[@rmacfarlane]

agreed

[@Shitgotmegeekin]

Let's take it easy there bud. The Manson family murders were horrific, but those events are not even near being 'the most horrific, vile crimes in American history'. You're essentially putting the murder of five people at the same level as four hundred years of slavery.

[@artisaprimus6306]

@@Shitgotmegeekin let's put slavery aside for a micro second if we can. Slavery has been practiced since the dawn of time. Tribes enslaving other tribes. Civilizations of all races, by the way. I'm talking about the horrible slaughter of five innocent people, but mostly about Sharon Tate and her unborn child. Hippies professed to be about peace and love. It was a lie then and it's a lie today. I lived thru those events myself. What's worse is leftist morons in CA decided to abolish the death penalty. So, the relatives of the victims have to watch these animals ask for parole for decades now. Being forced to fight to keep these lunatics in prison. Sharon Tate and her unborn child aren't leaving their graves, so they don't deserve to be breathing, much less free. But, the Hippies of the sixties became the leftist politicians of the 70s and 80s. So, Sharon Tate has to be victimized again and again. CA took an extreme left turn and it's a colossal dumpster fire today.

[@Shitgotmegeekin]

@@artisaprimus6306 Ok so you're an idiot, thanks for clearing that up

[@pinealdreams1064]

@@Shitgotmegeekin Slavery WASNT A CRIME. It was legal. Also, can we cut the bullshit narrative that slavery began in America and handn't been part of pretty much every culture in history. Terrible yes, but this one-sided historical coverage is ridiculous.

[@surfk9836]

There was a stuntman named Shorty Shea. He went to Sphan Ranch and was murdered. So seeing Cliff drive off was a relief and a small Once Upon a Time like the larger Once Upon a Time in the end. It is a story in a story, an inclusio. Quinton takes this technique one step further with Cliffs flashback (the boat)within a flashback (Bruce Lee). Brilliant.

[@rmacfarlane]

i hadn't thought about the flashback within a flashback, that's funny. The kind of thing another director would perhaps be reticent about doing

[@zuttoshow]

As a video essay creator, seeing new channels spring up like this and nail it is always inspiring. Great work on this, can't wait to see what else you put out!

[@janmarchand7294]

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one my favorite films At the end of the movie a lot of the older audience members stayed seated, eyes on the screen. So did I, you see on the screen Sharon is talking to Rick and going back up her driveway, never meeting the murderers, never brutally suffering the lost of her baby and her life. Sharon is alive and has the rest of her promising life to live. I believe that I, and the others who stayed seated were wishing this was the real ending of the movie, that evil didn't find her that fateful night. We were all in our sixties or seventies and we knew how it ended. But for just a brief, magical moment, this was the ending, Sharon had lived. I read Helter Skelter when I was 10 years old (we were all big readers in my family and my parents did't often censor our reading material)and it struck a deep chord within me. This beautiful girl and her baby were gone because a mentally ill man had a thought in his head and decided some one should die.

[@squaaaaak3178]

Let's not blame mental illness for this. Please. Mentally ill people are much more likely to be victims than perpetrators. It may make people feel good to think that this kind of thing is perpetrated by so-called mentally ill people, but it's far from reality. evil exists. people just like you do things like this. deal with it. Don't scapegoat an entire population.

[@annabell3385]

You should read CHAOS by Tom O'NEill. It is better than Helter Skelter. Also, The Family by Ed Sanders. Vincent Bugliosi was a bit corrupt.

[@janmarchand7294]

@@annabell3385 Thanks, I'll look for it.

[@curtisknightfish7686]

@@annabell3385 totally agree

[@curtisknightfish7686]

@@janmarchand7294 you really should if you’re interested in the case. Everything they told the American public was a lie.

[@eabhashortt9283]

i always find that the extremely detailed well made and interesting video analyses have so little views and not nearly enough attention. seriously man this is a great video and made me rethink the entire movie

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks! plenty of things to think about. As i said in the beginning, it's a movie about many things, and this is just one interpretation

[@actionscott8033]

26k in 8 days is pretty good. I’m sure it will grow over the years.

[@Marge411]

I love this movie and I appreciate your take on it. You described Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Sharon Tate perfectly. It’s hard to watch her when you know what is going to happen to her.

[@john2914]

What happened to her? They did not kill her in this movie.

[@rmacfarlane]

she's fine. still alive

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks. It was an effective choice to include her so much. She could have easily existed offscreen but with less impact

[@johncahill3644]

@@john2914 Yeah, but you don’t know that watching the movie...

[@mszuzubookitty4646]

Sharon Tate was brutally murdered and had her baby cut out of her. Don’t confuse awful truth with this hollywood made up stuff.

[@keithkhabo1285]

KZbin needs to make a second like button because this video deserves it! Nice vid

[@rmacfarlane]

Haha thanks Keith, appreciate it

[@Pantheragem]

The third time I saw the movie, when Sharon's voice comes over the intercom, for some reason hit me the hardest, and I got teary-eyed. I was watching it with a friend who hadn't seen it yet. He turned to me after the scene where Sharon goes to see her movie and said "I can't do it. I can't watch her die....". I just said something vaguely reassuring. Tarantino did his job with the innocence and optimism that she represented. I didn't see the end as the end of their friendship though. Maybe it changed, maybe it was revitalized. Who knows, I mean Rick still had Brandy, and we know Cliff wasn't leaving her behind.

[@rmacfarlane]

you're a good friend

[@Donvey]

I actually like this analysis so much. There are so much other theories about what this film could’ve been based on. But this video seems the most likely. Tarantino wrote a tragedy based on the real-life eventual tragedy of his friendship with Harvey. Also props to such a well made video for a channel under 1K subs!👏

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks very much. Approaching 1k subs as I'm writing this. Appreciate the support. I will say I think this film is about five or more different things, each one deserving its own essay. This is just the topic I was most intrigued by

[@mathewscrace5781]

Outstanding Mr MacFarlane… stick around. These essays are as good as any I’ve seen in 10 years. Well done.

[@rmacfarlane]

thank you sir! appreciate it

[@stellamartinez8361]

I was so excited to see this movie and found it provocative. I was not expecting it to literally be a fairytale of Hollywood.

[@rmacfarlane]

haha funny neither was I. I assumed it was more of a play on the Leone films. But tarantino definitely embraced the fairytale

[@stellamartinez8361]

To be frank, this movie is ultimately in bad taste. The subject is too horrible to turn into a mockery.

[@jesustovar2549]

@@stellamartinez8361 Tarantino had already changed history in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained.

[@stellamartinez8361]

@@jesustovar2549 Didn't see either of those.

[@TheCousinEddie]

This is some next-level insight. I don't know if it's accurate but you made a lot of thought provoking points. Something else you made, a fan. Subscribed!

[@rmacfarlane]

yeah could be totally wrong but asking the questions is fun. Thanks!

[@drpearlmantv6357]

@@rmacfarlane well done ! Fun and interesting video ! Got me thinking

[@brindlebucker4741]

Yep. This is what's important. This is a perspective. It doesn't have to be correct, but if it gets you talking intelligently about things, that's what's important. There's too much immediate shouting nowadays, not enough considered arguments and rebuttals. And this is EXACTLY what art is good for. I have had this discussion so many times in my lifetimes in different forms and forums. Art holds a mirror up, yes. But the mirror is always different depending who's holding it and how they tilt it. Being able to consider different interpretations for a work of art and how the work relates to reality is exactly the positive thing that art adds to life. Art gets you thinking. Comparing. Considering. Exploring lines of thought. Debating. That HAS to be a good thing.

[@dixonhill1108]

Completely missed it, Brad pitt plays the same character as he does in fight club. He's the insecure man's version of a better him. Like the real brad pitt, he has no creative ability. He's the meat, while Quintin is the artist. Brad is the only one who physically confronted weinstein . @@rmacfarlane

[@codywoof7059]

This was the most in depth interpretation of how tarantinos mind works! AMAZING

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks Cody

[@jaredbellow]

This movie really moves me because I identify so much with the central friendship. I became estranged from my brother a few months after the release of this film, and have always considered my best friend of 17 years my brother. I feel like I’m often Rick to his Cliff. I was born a little more fortunate; but I’m a mess, a drinker, hopelessly insecure, unstable with romantic relationships. He “carries my load” to borrow a line from the film. Blue collar, born in a small town, became a father young, married with four kids. Lives a very modest life. And we live across Michigan from each other. But there’s a serious understanding between us and we help each other in the ways we can. You seldom see male friendships portrayed so realistically or deeply on film. We may not look like DiCaprio and Pitt but I found a lot of us in it. I can’t reject your theory since it’s well analyzed, and well evidenced. I still find it a deep, moving treatise on friendship in the way that Jackie Brown is a masterpiece about growing old.

[@rmacfarlane]

fascinating. i agree, the friendship makes this movie so compelling

[@eshna2012]

First time hearing this take - you definitely made a convincing argument. As you said, I don’t know how deliberate it was on Tarantino’s part, but I can see it as a subconscious catharsis. 👍

[@rmacfarlane]

Yeah I think it’s most likely a sort of intuitive working through of emotions that worked it’s way into late rewrites of the script

[@gracelaw8599]

This video was quite good! It was in my recommended and after watching it, I was expecting your following to be huge. Your analysis was great and the quality/ structure made for a pleasant watch. I know this channel will blow up in the next few months

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Grace! Hopefully this is the worst video i will ever make. Glad you appreciated the structure, i always think that's the most important part

[@happyscooter228]

Following on your idea, Tarantino sparing Uma Thurman’s daughter by having her back out of the murders could be a cinematic atonement to Uma Thurman for how she was assaulted by Weinstein.

[@rmacfarlane]

I did not even know that was Uma Thurman's daughter!

[@harryom3497]

​@@rmacfarlaneMaya hawk

[@staypositivetestsubject3867]

What a really fresh perspective on the film , enjoyed your take and now I’ve got to give this film another view ! I’d also like to see a future topic on Japanese cinemas influence on American directors I know of so obvious ones like George Lucas but would love a deep dive into the industry as a whole and if that’s continued into modern times or has faded with the years . Great work and you’ve got a new subscriber for sure !

[@rmacfarlane]

Well thanks. Yeah I don't know much about that myself but a good opportunity to do some research. I was thinking about doing a video on Takeshi Kitano's Hana-Bi (Fireworks) because I was so blown away by it when I watched it a few months ago. It's clearly got a lot of references to Hollywood cop films/film noir so might look at it that way. But yeah talking a look at Japanese influence on American directors is a good idea. Let me know if you have any suggestions of films to look at

[@ignatiusjackson235]

The most intriguing part of this interpretation (which you've skipped over, by the way) is that the "new approach" exemplified by Rick's acceptance into the Sharon Tate household is still infested with a snake in Roman Polanski, just as the "Me, Too" movement came with its own demons. Fascinating stuff. Not sure I buy the whole premise, but it's an interesting way to look at things!

[@rmacfarlane]

Yes I spent a lot of time thinking over how to interpret the implications of what happens next. Couldn’t quite figure it out. It seems to me that there’s a bit of domino theory at work - without the grief of his wife having been murdered, Polanski would never have raped a 13 year old in Jack Nicholsons hot tub, thus preserving the idyllic vision of New Hollywood. But yes definitely open to interpretation. I think Polanski claims he was driven to his behaviour out of grief and distress. Sounds like some convenient bullshit to me but who really knows

[@lizpie4659]

I just saw this I hope you get more subscribers this is so well done. My take is that Roman wanted a wife and a family and had that come to fruition, he would have been home enjoying his family life instead of prowling for sex.

[@rmacfarlane]

@@lizpie4659 thank you! Yeah depends on how optimistic you are about humanity I suppose. Certainly could be

[@ignatiusjackson235]

@@lizpie4659 That "family man" bullshit is a complete farce. Roman would have just had more cover. I do agree, however, that this video deserves way more views.

[@codeXenigma]

@@lizpie4659 No way do people become sex predators because they suffer grief of a loved one. That is gross that he would try to use that as an excuse. Dirty perverts do it because they disrespect others, for all we know he could of done the same to his own daughter had she lived.

[@madenny326]

An intriguing supposition, well told. I look forward to your next one.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks!

[@heatherlynn2695]

very cool take!

[@delix787]

Once upon a Time in Hollywood is still my favorite movie by Quentin Tarantino!! 🎥 The dialogue has been the most quoted of his movies. The music and the style is just beyond perfect!!! 🖤💙🖤

[@rmacfarlane]

i think its no 2 for me. Basterds 1

[@BlueDodgerman]

@@rmacfarlane Basterds is a Jews wet dream, and is only held up by first 20 mins of cinematic genius

[@oompers9]

looked down at your sub list and figured it was 887K, not 887! Well done man. This channel will go far.

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks! Only had 36 subs a few days ago

[@image30p]

Very interesting! I think you're right. As usual it's a very layered story. I love that. So many things happening at the same time. One thing I also noticed, as with all T's movies, was the nod to how violent TV and cinema was in the 70s. It was just straight up about fist fights and shooting people.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks! I don't know if I'm write but thought it was worth exploring. Very layered indeed and you could make ten videos about its various meanings. Interesting point about violent tv. I wonder if we've become more sensitive to depictions of violence as we've become more isolated from it

[@mankind5709]

One of the few movies I can always rewatch and be amazed by details and intent for greatness.

[@rmacfarlane]

many levels to it for sure

[@unclebuddha]

Great f****** video. The editing was so concise and humorous and spot on it was brilliant. When I saw this movie knowing what happened to Sharon Tate it is exactly as you describe they were on a collision course and it was building suspense and it dread in my heart. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood was the only movie I've ever seen where I felt like I was saved at the end of it. It was an amazing and remarkable cinamatic experience for me. I really enjoyed your theory and over analyzation deep dive into it. I can't say if Quentin would agree but what I can say for sure is that everyone gets an A on the Rorschach test so you saw what you saw and you convinced me to see it now too with your artistic over analyzation writing and editing skills. Thanks for being you. You earned this sub homie.

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks unc, glad you like it. Yeah I think the ending is why the film is so beloved. And I think Tarantino put a lot of his feelings into that ending, that then resonates with up. Appreciate the sub.

[@unclebuddha]

How did you know my screen name is uncle Buddha? Or was that random as hell?

[@rmacfarlane]

Haha just clicked on your profile and it said so

[@surfk9836]

The focus of the movie is the relationship between Cliff and Jake. It is shown in the beginning and the end. Pacino, says "...he must be a good friend." Cliff replies "I try". At the end Jake says "Cliff you're a good friend". He replies "I try", a very purposeful repetition by Tarentino.

[@rmacfarlane]

yep

[@JudgementalGoat]

You have a very unique way to interpret films, I'm subscribing because I want to see your takes about Hitchcock and the Godfather trilogy, I hope you don't let me down!

[@rmacfarlane]

Oh thanks!

[@TheShowMustGoWrONg]

Amazing vid with deep analysis. Really interesting, I couldn’t help but think a lot similar things when I first seen it. Definitely Tarantino’s most Meta (hate that word) film. What have you got against theme park rides? :)

[@rmacfarlane]

haha nothing against theme parks apart from I didn't enjoy disneyland paris much. Don't like "theme park movies" as Scorsese called them. And thank you for the feedback, glad you saw some of this on first viewing as well. Nobody else I've talked to has

[@Sekir80]

@@rmacfarlane Oh, so you disclosed it here! My thought went to Scorsese when I heard the theme park line. So, this is the first video I watched on your channel. Given its quality it's very likely it won't be the last!

[@gigid9606]

What I like about QT writing process is he gets a little from this, a little from that, but it all fits like a puzzle, and he's smart enough to not talk about it in the middle of this process so people don't interfere with his thoughts or the direction of the story

[@rmacfarlane]

agreed

[@ChetanRao]

As a Tarantino fan, I have to say, your analysis of the movie was far more entertaining and satisfying than the movie itself.

[@rmacfarlane]

high praise

[@tommclaughlin5360]

I have thought this since the day it came out. Love this movie. I think it's a masterpiece. But I always said, this is the story of him and Harvey. They had a long career together, and people constantly asked him why he worked with him, and he'd have to defend him. Thank you for putting it into an essay

[@rmacfarlane]

cool! that makes two of us. Yeah I think there has to be a personal motor driving any major artistic work, something that motivates you through it

[@bobshark123]

fantastic work. always thought it was a character study and empty. i will revisit it based on this

[@rmacfarlane]

thank you!

[@standardyeepz]

one of the better videos i’ve ever seen from a sub 2000 subscriber account. really. well done. the hypothesis is irrelevant. great work.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks!

[@christianlamb3911]

This video was awesome, I just watched this movie around the same time you put this video out. I will say, the more I think about the movie and the more perspectives I see about it, the more I love it, I mean I just feel overwhelmed with the personality this film has. It feels like a movie that was made a long time ago, it makes me want to rewatch it again, and I saw it not more than a week ago 😂😂

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Christian. and i agree, it keeps getting better

[@twilso12]

I was ready to binge watch a collection of years worth of video documentaries you’ve made until you said this was your first. Damn

[@rmacfarlane]

Haha more to come

[@twilso12]

@@rmacfarlane looking forward to it, keep up the good work

[@TheBumShackler]

Wow what a phenomenal video. Even just the editing too was very engaging. Great analysis, I watched it for the first time recently and loved it. Can’t believe this is such a small channel!!! I had no idea from watching the video lol The point about Rick being the hero makes me so sad but honestly your analysis makes this all seem so logical. His version of himself in the movie is the idealized Hollywood hero same way cliff is. Love the idea, great great video again haha

[@rmacfarlane]

Oh thanks dude, I appreciate it. Yeah it’s just me and lots of coffee. Glad you enjoyed it

[@kailomonkey]

Some of this was a stretch, but the main point of overlooking that he possibly killed his wife does ring with some truth.

[@nathanchaytor]

Mom get the camera, a new video-essayist just dropped

[@rmacfarlane]

Haha thanks

[@ejensen]

This feels like the perspective I was missing. When I first saw the movie I loved it. A master of the craft doing some of hist best work, obviously. Great actors giving great performances. Hardly anything to criticize. Even the shtick of retelling history in a fairy tale and giving the defining tragedy of the Hollywood that Tarantino obviously loves the happy ending he was longing for. That's such a Tarantino thing to be doing. He even meticulously recreates the Hollywood of the era as he remembers it; essentially showing it to us through the eyes of someone who is deeply in love with that dream of Hollywood, which fits so well within the fairy tale structure. And he brings in the heroes he remember from that time in Hollywood to do the actual rewriting. Allowing the best version of Hollywood to defend itself from the worst that the world outside imposed upon it. It all really works. However; there are themes in the movie that doesn't connect with any of that. The themes of a friendship/relationship coming to an end and moving on with your life. Those don't really connect to anything else in the story. Not that they have to, but they feel kinda incidental to everything else that's going on. It's also interesting to note that the Acting scene, where Rick realizes that he's outgrown his dependency on Cliff, is followed immediately by Rick visiting the symbolic version of the Hollywood he remembers from the past. Him finding it all changed into something he cannot get along with works quite well within your analysis. It's very much like Rick and Cliff are sorta inhabiting different versions of Hollywood at this point.

[@rmacfarlane]

that's a very interesting symbolic connection, i didn't notice that

[@johansmallberries9874]

I posit that the themes about a Hollywood career in its twilight might mirror Quentins much talked about plan to stop making movies soon.

[@newtonsurmiser2319]

I think the film is a lament for the loss of an era of a certain kind of traditional, strong masculinity that arguably started to become less fashionable in the late 60s - and the kind that may have arguably saved Sharon Tate, hence the Once Upon A Time... angle. The film, at least the way it's portrayed, shows the crossroads between the old school masculinity(on the downslope) & the emergence of a softer, weaker version that was coming in to the culture. There are all kinds of indications of this throughout the film: the Rick Dalton character constantly coming apart & questioning himself with all of his doubts & insecurities, the Steve MacQueen('I never stood a chance') party scene where they discuss Sharon's preferences in men(boyish), the emergence of the hippies, & the males(all boyish & ineffectual) that Sharon Tate was surrounded by in her entourage at her home. The film, especially at the climax, seems to suggest to me that if there were more traditionally masculine(re:tougher) men like Cliff Booth(who represents that older era of masculinity) around her at the time, that the tragedy could have been avoided altogether.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks for your analysis, Newton. Interesting theory. I'm not quite sure what I think about that. If that's the case what do you make of the fact that Cliff doesn't join Rick and Sharon Tate? It seems to me that Rick's future is to be very successful, while Cliff will return to his life in a trailer if he ever makes it out of the hospital. If Cliff is the paragon of masculinity, I would expect him to have a rosier ending than that. Let me know what you think

[@newtonsurmiser2319]

​@@rmacfarlane Hi Ross, but that's exactly it - what used to pass as the paragon of masculinity is no longer appreciated. Cliff is carted away in an ambulance at the end, it's filmed almost comedically, while Rick gets the accolades & is invited to Sharon's home. That's the sad truth & the way forward in the film. It shows precisely the disregard for his type of old school masculinity & how little it is now valued. His good actions not only go unrewarded, they are barely acknowledged by most of the other characters. The Cliff Booth character is an interesting one. Most of the time he is portrayed as a bit of a side joke. He is either sidelined, ignored or denigrated in the film by everyone around him, going about menial tasks or chores, ignored by most people, treated as a backup to Rick, relegated to living in a trailer (Rick lives in a nice home high up in the hills) - in a way it sums up perfectly where Cliff's brand of masculinity is positioned in that era. Even his own friend, Rick, barely seems to appreciate him because he is so preoccupied with his own insecurities. Cliff is largely quiet(strong & silent type of the old era) most of the time but is the one who takes action at key points in the film. When, in his friend George's defense, he deals with the hippies at the farm, he puts them in their place. When they come to Rick's home with intent to kill, he deals with them in the same manner. He will not have the rosier ending though, exactly because his style of masculinity is on the way out & goes largely unappreciated for what it can offer.

[@rmacfarlane]

Ah I see. Interesting take. Definitely something I need to think over. The cool thing is that this film is clearly about many things, and many different interpretations can be made that seem perfectly valid. Cliff is certainly the most interesting character, and I think the key to exploring almost any of the films themes

[@benjaminvelitchkov5694]

Hey Newton, I think this is a really interesting take, I didn't really look at it like that before but interestingly enough in a podcast with Marc Maron I believe Tarantino makes a remark that men like Charles Bronson were so manly and they're the type of man you will never see again in cinema in fact I believe he said " Charlize Theron is more of a Charles Bronson than any male actor today, and she's a woman". He furthers the thought by explaining many of the masculine men from those times didn't choose they're behavior rather it was cultivated by the very tough lives they lived like serving in wars and what not and how that kind of man no longer exists and if he does he won't be seen on screen again and hasn't been since. One last little thing is in a trailer/feature or interview (I can't remember which tbh) DiCaprio pretty much explains his character in the movie as you did. Something to the effect of "Rick Dolton is an old school cowboy actor who's being replaced by the times where more androgynous types were taking the lime light".

[@rmacfarlane]

@@benjaminvelitchkov5694 interesting, I'd forgotten about that

[@lostsoul2184]

12:46 daaamn man you really are solid in your discussions ; and editing . Fantastic job . I love overanalyzing . Wish I could help somehow

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks dude. Well what skills/talents do you have? Will always need help on future propjects

[@brandonbath6097]

The cowboy hero idea @13:50 is such a good point

[@rmacfarlane]

i'm not sure i can claim to take credit for it but i will agree that the more you think about it the more true it seems

[@ChristianGustafson]

Well that was worth my time. You’ve done a man’s work!

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks. Quite literally took months so appreciate that you enjoyed it

[@joed2818]

It's about art. And Tarantino almost having fully lost his mind.

[@rmacfarlane]

I think it's about that and lots of other things

[@joed2818]

@@rmacfarlane Art. An ode to movies. Drugs. A love letter to the 60s. Also Hollywood. Feet. Bruce Lee and hippies. But mostly art and the deterioration of the director's own sanity.

[@dereksendrak]

Dude this is an absolutely BRILLIANT observation! Fantastic job on this video! Wow🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks, Derek! Glad you liked it

[@yungstevie9]

Really enjoyed this video. Makes me look at the movie in a whole different way than I did before. Great Work

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Stevie

[@tommack8650]

Brilliant interpretation! I thought I was the only one who saw that. Cliff, Quentin and myself are all in the twilight of once great careers. Looking back and letting go... What a departure from - Men in tights masquerading as heroes in amusement park movies that are masqueraded as cinema. Scorsese fully agrees.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Tom

[@armorykittington]

Wow. That was absolutely incredible. I don't even have words. ❤

[@rmacfarlane]

you're too kind

[@Tool30301]

This is very good would love to see your OVERANALYSIS of different movies or shows

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks, working on it

[@TAP555]

I wasn't very convinced in the beginning but you managed to highlight the sadness and betrayal Tarantino probably had. If he leaves Earth one day you could honestly just see this man's spirit linger in his films and becoming a legend or myth 100 years on!

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks, I agree!

[@delix787]

It’s a shame we’re never going to get that Netflix extended version… That was announced back in 2019 and nothing has happened since. 😞

[@timwillocks4695]

Yes it is a shame. However there is an extended directors cut on DVD.

[@rmacfarlane]

oh cool i didn't know that. I even have a dvd copy, might be that one

[@timwillocks4695]

I really enjoyed your video and hypothesis thoroughly intriguing indeed. For me this film is QT's best work, since watching it I cant get enough of it the characters the back story the whole nine yards. I dont know what it is about this film but I have to agree with what other people have said about wanting to see more of Cliff, Rick and Sharan however we are left with utter sadness knowing how it really ends.

[@davidrobertson6014]

So Harvey and Quentin being great friends makes that picture of him sitting at on a couch with a girls foot in his mouth and the length from the ankle to the knee was like 8 inches make so much more sense now.

[@rmacfarlane]

don't have a clue what you're on about

[@croissant-kun4025]

As a casual film watcher who had only seen 3 of his films and someone who watched this movie without any prior knowledge of the Manson murders, I will admit I was initially, slightly underwhelmed by the movie. I was expecting expecting a way flasher movie but it ended up being a more subdued film about (like you mentioned), a movie actor struggling to adapt to the changing times but that wasn't the problem, I quite enjoyed that storyline! What I found really out of place was the total annihilation of the Manson family members, which while extremely fun to watch, felt shoehorned in a movie whose narrative didn't require that kind of scene. I'd just brushed it off as Tarantino's desire to add violence in everything. Finally, after watching this video, after finally understanding the full context behind the movie, the doubts I had in my mind regarding the movie has been reduced. I now have a better understanding of what goes on in his head and It has helped me understand the complex nature of his filmstyle a bit better and I appreciate it a lot, so thank you for making this video!

[@rmacfarlane]

oh i take that as quite high praise, thank you very much. Ultimately the Manson family annihilation as you put it is just good old cathartic retribution. Still not sure I've heard an audience laugh that much

[@charlicks8808]

Brilliant video. Have subscribed. Hope to see your channel grow exponentially!

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks! It’s already gone crazy by my standards

[@ZoCks]

Very nice work! I would love to see an essay on Magnolia.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks. I would have to figure out what the hell magnolia means first. Love it but have no idea why all the pieces fit together. Currently working on There Will Be Blood for episode 2

[@tofizick]

Keep doing this, do not give up (sorry for the cringe comment)

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks, wasn’t going to anyway but appreciate it

[@RockSmith-rl9qr]

I didn't even pay attention to the sub count when I click the video. I just assumed I was watching a channel with atleast 50,000 subs. Awesome video man.

[@rmacfarlane]

Haha thanks, glad you enjoyed. I’ll be lucky to get to 100 at this rate

[@RockSmith-rl9qr]

@Ross MacFarlane never stop over analyzing movies. That's why they make them. Especially people like Tarantino

[@rmacfarlane]

Will do. Working on episode 2 just now

[@PeterBlackburn-cf1is]

A very compelling and well-reasoned argument. It reminded me of the "This is the Girl" video essay about how David Lynch's Mulholland Dr. was also trying to speak the unspeakable at a time of heightened predatory behaviour in Hollywood, and makes sense in both instances why the need for such heavily-loaded symbolism would be required in each case: Lynch because he never had the kind of power that Tarantino ever did (while also speaking in general terms about the abuse of young women by powerful men), and Tarantino because, accepting this thesis, Once Upon a Time is a complex apologia for Tarantino's own sense of betraylal, blindness and perhaps nagging sense of complicity in having known and collaborated with such a specific powerful man. An additional sense of discomfort pervades the last shot as well, and could speak to why the Tate murder is so eerily specific to every aspect of this thesis. The spectre of Roman Polanski's own future behaviour (within the film's imaginary chronology) is like a Schodinger's Cat of potential outcomes for the "happy ending" in which he is both still a man capable of the heinous abuse of a young woman himself and yet still innocent with a promising career ahead and a happy and healthy wife and child on the way. The ambiguity of that seems to me to be a wrinkle of self-awareness that Tarantino isn't blind to capacity for power to corrupt even the creative geniuses he admires.

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks very much. I love that lynch video essay, it’s brilliant. And excellent point about the ending. I think the ending marks the transition in style from old Hollywood to new, so that kind of ambiguity is fitting

[@jade67891]

This is a very interesting video, thank you for taking the time to make it. Since the scandal started, I assumed that kill bill, and to some extent Death Proof, was also about Harvey Weinstein, perhaps a covert denounciation of his behavior towards women by a man who knew him from the inside. Do you think this could be possible, if Once a Time is indeed an admission by Tarantino that he was blinded by friendship ?

[@rmacfarlane]

hey, thanks for watching. I have never thought about that but I suppose it could be possible

[@if6was929]

"blinded by friendship?" He was not at all blinded, his eyes were wide open. Tarantino knew and chose to ignore, its no more complicated than that. To Quentin Tarantino, his career was more important than the safety of Weinstein's victims. He found it easy to "downplay" the rumors because it wasn't his own daughter who was abused! Tarantino loves to make movies that display a revisionist perspective on historical events, as if his own fantasy is that he'd have the courage to right the wrongs perpetrated by evil men. Maybe Quentin's next movie will be a fantasy retelling of Weinstein's crimes where he plays the hero who catches Harvey mid-rape and beats him to a pulp! Now wouldn't that be ironic!

[@squirrelsyrup1921]

@@if6was929 Maybe he can make a movie about Poltergeist and what happened to the very young actress on that feature, who died from her injuries. Considering Spielberg for a moment, the man's own adopted daughter is now a s*x worker (he has gone on record saying he is proud of her), and his sister wrote "Big", that Tom Hanks comedy where a child has relations with a grown adult woman who knows he is really a child. What on earth goes on in that family? Plenty of people have suggested that Stanley Kubrick was k*lled by the Bohemian Grove elite because he revealed too much about what goes on in Hollywood when he filmed Eyes Wide Shut. The film was then given to Spielberg, and about 1hr of footage never made it into the final movie. There's an excellent set of articles by Tiffany Fitzhenry about what happens inside Disney, too.

[@Chadlikedad22]

Here before this explodes

[@rmacfarlane]

That’s quite the vote of confidence haha

[@kevinmullner4280]

....and i´m hooked. Waiting for the next. Greetings from good ole Europe.

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks Kevin. We used to be in Europe too 😂

[@Galvatorrix]

@ 22:31 The background western scene is literally the same location for Django Unchained when Dr. Shultz and Django get their first beer. They're being interviewed in the doorway to that saloon!

[@rmacfarlane]

Meta Tarantino at his finest

[@tubularbill]

The movie is a masterpiece. Really not one bad scene. My fav Tarentino movie.

[@rmacfarlane]

Yeah this or basterds for me

[@professorwalter1284]

Great stuff. Good music too. Really good perspective. Don’t bother with Marvel, stick to the interesting films. Well made. Encore!

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks professor. Enough of this superhero crap. Lots of really good actors are wasting their time wearing capes

[@Zed-fq3lj]

@@rmacfarlane Liked your different perspective on this Tarantino's movie (perhaps the last great movie before industry drowned in superhero and woke garbage heap), but THIS comment of yours was the thing that made me subscribe and wish you all the best!

[@rmacfarlane]

@@Zed-fq3lj thanks Zed. Its frustrating that we've missed out on great movies/performances over the last decade+ because a lot of talent has been sucked up by the Disney machine, all so they can make money off of a captured Chinese audience. Think Chris Evans in Knives Out, Mark Ruffalo in Dark Waters, or Robert Downey Jr in anything. Imagine what we could have had instead

[@kartiktiwari7360]

can't believe you only have 290 subs. I hope soon more of thomas flight/like stories of old audience discovers your work and your channel blows up!

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Kartik. Yeah started out with 36 when i released this video so even to have 389 8 days later is mad

[@Jclln23]

This is outstanding and a really fresh take on the movie. Keep these up. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks James. mr2 looks nice

[@domhuckle]

Fantastic analysis - the weinstein angle coupled with the portrayal of masculinity and innocence are the key themes of this film It's all done with such wonderful humanity as is the hallmark of tarrantino's work

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks! I've never quite identified masculinity itself as a key theme but it's very interesting that so many people here have. Speaks to where we're at

[@domhuckle]

@@rmacfarlane to be honest, I didn't see the masculinity theme until I watched your video, but there must be something there - you've got 2 aging cowboys almost being mothballed and Dean Martin actually commenting on it himself Maybe there's some commentary on the nature of innocence and violence too - for Sharon tate to live liberated, you need others who are prepared for the violence that may come?

[@sebastianalegria3401]

Casting Brad Pitt and Leo DiCaprio is the best thing Tarantino has ever done in his whole career as a director, he was able to cast them both to have a good chemistry on the set. Moreover, Once upon a time in Hollywood is a love letter towards Hollywood classic from the late 60's, which he did very well.

[@rmacfarlane]

Agreed 1000%

[@sebastianalegria3401]

@@rmacfarlane Do you think Brad Pitt was the real movie's star despite the fact he was the supporting actor?

[@rmacfarlane]

You could argue that. He’s arguable a bigger ‘star’ than anyone else in the movie. Bit of a toss up between him and dicaprio. I don’t think you can make a case that he’s the main character though. It’s all Ricks struggle, ricks development, and how Rick changes

[@rmacfarlane]

yeah they are great together

[@OkoloKino]

Very good video essay. Will follow you for more! I'll definetely share it with the rest of our team.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks! High praise coming from you guys

[@raymiller2011]

Amazing job, well done! Looking forward to the next one!

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks! It’s slow progresse but working on it when I can

[@Unqualifiedmedicalperson]

Good try, but no.

[@rmacfarlane]

Fair enough

[@klenmcrock5265]

I thought it was good.

[@RealRoknRollr3108]

Good try and yes

[@rmacfarlane]

@@RealRoknRollr3108 😂

[@RockSmith-rl9qr]

Great try and YUP

[@TomSoundsGood]

Really solid Ross, great job! Throughly compelling and entertaining. Subscribed

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Tom! More to come

[@snorlax42]

Really great analysis, and I think it holds some merit! Wonderful video :)

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks!

[@proybankins709]

Great video 👌 From the analysis to the music and editing

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks!

[@PC-ro1kf]

Great video and great work. I personally do not agree with the hypothesis that you've shown here but I also admired how can you gives us well written ideas with great arguments. This video made me think a lot of what I've seen on the screen. Well done, this kind of work and views are so important to see and make movies meaningful

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks very much, glad you liked it, not offended you don't agree as long as you were sufficiently entertained

[@superbloodwolfmoon6842]

Two notes : 1. If we are to take your interpretation further , Pitt's character over-extends his kindness and has a soft heart for the hippis in the opening. I think QT relates this to Pitt/Hollywood/Weinstein. For decades Harvey helped create films that were not only entertaining , but at the very least....anti-conservative values. He was an ally even if their goal might have been to destroy the system that helped them. It's almost like "focus your attention elsewhere, hippis, we weren't your enemy" . 2. The flamethrower is used within the movie to kill Nazis. They have to be killed with fire so they don't spread. QT equates communists hippis with the same regard.

[@rmacfarlane]

Not a bad read on the hippie thing. Maybe more comparable to Weinstein’s fundraising for left wing politics - that he appeared to be the nice guy but in reality was anything but

[@eu_enia]

I LOVED this over-analysis 😂❤ Will be watching again.

[@rmacfarlane]

thank you!

[@LukeScott74]

Thanks for a great video. Can’t wait to see more.

[@rmacfarlane]

cheers Luke

[@dmtripreport8542]

great video. very entertaining, great writing, and great editing. subbed. more plz

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks buddy

[@atomicsmith]

This seems to answer the “why is he showing us all this” feeling I had during the long second act. At the time I thought it was the “because I can” attitude you see in some of his other films (jackrabbit slims for instance). Somehow it felt more meaningful, and I think you have a very good theory as to why. Great analysis.

[@rmacfarlane]

that's a really excellent point, i hadn't thought of that, probably because I didn't have that experience. But there is a question of "why now?" with regards to this particular story. I assumed it was to do with Hollywood straining under the weight of streaming, and it may be in part about that. But yours is an excellent point.

[@MinecraftManL]

BRAVO! I feel like I never really "got" this movie beyond just enjoying the awesome performances and sequences but this video really puts things into context.

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks, glad I could help

[@cherb0675]

Very nice I’d love to see way more videos in this format def subbing

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks! More coming. They take ages to make so may be February before I can get another one out. Let me know if you have any topic suggestions

[@brindlebucker4741]

For me, great art is that which allows the viewer/consumer/observer to do exactly what you did in this video. It doesn't really matter whether your perspective is correct or not, it holds together to the end. It's an interpretation. But that holding together factor is what makes it satisfying. We might not agree with it, but we can all say, 'Well played.' And it leaves us thinking. Art should stimulate, not stifle. And that's what this film does.

[@rmacfarlane]

I’m glad someone gets it!

[@MrAcethesecond]

There’s only a couple of leaps in logic in there, but it’s so well done that I can’t help but think anything else about the film now. What a newfound respect for the depth this brings to a film I thought really let me down in its indictment of Hollywood.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Jay

[@Cugelclever]

Subbed. Your channel will grow fast if you keep up this level of quality. Nice.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Aaron

[@chrisdavis5658]

This is really well done. Looking forward to seeing more!

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Chris. More coming

[@F_ckAllTrumpVoters]

It's mostly about him becoming a Dad late in life & nostalgia that all of that brings along with it. Nostalgia being a major trend recently in Hollywood films. Tarantino is nothing if not "hip" & "cool." Ya😎 Dig?

[@rmacfarlane]

Yeah I think that’s definitely a part of it. Growing up, as it were. A coming of age movie in a sense perhaps

[@dad102]

Insightful n well-crafted. Kudos.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks!

[@sebastianschmidt6136]

Amazing video. One of the best I've ever seen. The only thing I don't agree very much is the 21:23 "We should be viligant about our heroes". I mean, yeah, Weinsten of course deserves jail, but if we're going to be vigilant of people's minor mistakes like, what they said, or if they got drunk, or the costume someone wore in a halloween party 20 years ago, then no one would be innocent. Even you and me. Once again, great analysis, video and voice. Chapeau

[@rmacfarlane]

Thanks Sebastian. And I agree, vigilance must come in the form of an honest assessment, not an unrealistic standard

[@themoviebutcher]

Incredible video with plausbile ideas, Ross. I can clearly see your love for Tarantino's work. I hope to see more videos from your channel!

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks! More coming

[@00berserker]

This was good. I enjoyed your view Ross. Thanks for the content.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks Randy

[@EmilyAndClark]

Excellent work. I'm Clark from Emily and Clark's Adventure. I also had an early video that did really well. I see this in your work. Now is the time to put your all into your work, you will go far.

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks, that's the plan!

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

Love your content and production values, thank you! Subscribing.

[@rmacfarlane]

Merci Lisette, t’es trop gentil

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

@@rmacfarlane Merci again - this essay is fantastic.

[@FunkyFu211]

Really nice video to watch. Since this is just a theory it’s a really interesting view on the movie. Keep em comin ✌🏻

[@rmacfarlane]

thanks, more coming soon!