Rick Dalton and Bipolar Disorder

#BipolarDisorder #OnceUpOneATimeInHollywood #QuentinTarantino
In this video, I discuss the representation of Bipolar Disorder in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Thanks to therapist Ryan Engelstad for consulting on this video!
Patreon: www.patreon.com/tristanjmiller
Website: www.tristanjmiller.com
Twitter: @tristanjmiller1

[@TristanMiller1]

Hey y’all! So, I’m seeing a lot of comments saying that Rick doesn’t have Bipolar Disorder. While you’re allowed to have whatever interpretation of art you’d like, I do open with a quote from the writer and director saying that he does. Leo also used it as a base for his performance. Here’s the interview I pulled the quote from: www.google.com/amp/s/screenrant.com/once-upon-time-hollywood-rick-dalton-dicaprio-bipolar/amp/ regardless of your opinion I hope you enjoy the movie and my essay!

[@raymondle9966]

You can also refer the doubters to the 14 minute video on the Vanity Fair channel here on youtube where Tarantino explicitly states verbatim that Dalton is undiagnosed. Hope that helps you Tristan

[@TristanMiller1]

@@raymondle9966 thanks! It does!

[@ratfinkie62]

I loved someone bipolar. This movie brought a lot of that time back.

[@kjanjusz7007]

And the novel confirms it.

[@I_love_BTS_2025]

Well, well, well what I understand is Leonardo DiCaprio is so damn good at acting as mentally disturbed characters. 1. What's eating Gilbert grape as mentally handicapped boy 2.Aviator-OCD 3. Shutter island 4. And lastly Once upon a time in Hollywood also He is truly amazing, extremely talented actor 👏👏💜💜🤗🤗

[@waka1834]

I have type two and i feel like the trailer scene shows a hypomanic episode spiral fairly well going from irritation to annoyance to anger and then aggression until it’s too much to handle and he turns to suicidal ideas and tendencies. I know theres a lot of different aspects to bipolar that other people experience but that specific example felt really real for me.

[@siran5597]

Wheh you said "Those who live with Bipolar Disorder are more sensitive to the words and actions of others" that really struck a nerve. I am still coming to terms with my diagnosis and have struggled to find people to talk to about it and I have been watching your videos and yeah I love how you explain it, I will show this to my parents to help explain myself better. And yeah the part about social isolation is so true, I have hidden away for months.... I loved your stand up clip too, wish I could see you live in Australia one day.

[@TristanMiller1]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope to get to Australia as well! I'm glad that I could help even a little bit. I hope your treatment plan gets sorted out smoothly. Here's a list of some other resources that might be useful for you! www.tristanjmiller.com/post/the-manic-depressive-starter-pack I hope you are and remain well.

[@siran5597]

@@TristanMiller1 thank you so much!

[@jqyhlmnp]

“Of course it would struck a nerve” ;)

[@springfieldbearpatrol2937]

I think the character arc is about tapping into an actors insecurities. Actors go from role to role, nothing is guaranteed. One minute having their own show and another getting crap roles and fighting the ‘perception’ game. What might have come from his forgetting the line in the cowboy bar? His rep could be ruined in one instance. And you see how hard he was on himself and then how sweet he felt when he recovered.

[@christinacostello3961]

Kind of annoyed im commenting on this, but your analysis was spot on. Perfect.

[@TristanMiller1]

Thanks!

[@Partoftheratpack]

I identify with Rick a lot

[@TristanMiller1]

Same! Great performance and writing

[@derrickdamewood2596]

This was actually pretty good. I have no ideas if you’re right or not but it’s a pretty good video!

[@davidg7643]

not really I'm afraid to be depressed requires at least 2 weeks of mostly low mood to be manic requires at least 7 days of manic symptoms these mood swings are the mood swings of a aging, narcissistic, frustrated actor who is starting to go over the hill aka normal. any psychiatrist worth their salt wouldn't diagnose bipolar based on the evidence here. yes he's a little labile, but no more so than many. if everyone with this level of mood changeability was diagnosed with bipolar, everyone and their gran would have a diagnosis

[@travisviener4807]

I’m not psychiatrist, but I had relatively same thought when I read the title. It’s like a web MD diagnosis.

[@lydiaboll2872]

Well, Tarantino confirmed that Rick has bipolar so argue with him.

[@davidg7643]

@@lydiaboll2872 just saying tarantino either doesnt understand, or has an american healthcare view of the illness

[@Mikem-mq2hh]

I agree with most points, but trying to hold a once great, now dwindling acting career together is both manic and depressing for a ton of actors.

[@barbarawilliams9412]

World wide outreach to any and all

[@clovrmay3104]

The Green Door song w him singing it is so fucking hilarious to me everytime. Like he looks he'd rather be anywhere else than there singing 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@AlekhyaParapathi-bg1un]

It is good but I am person who hates tragedy ....when I was a kid I never even liked villains dying ...I was like I wish villains changed into good and lived life later and die naturally ....I hate deaths ....

[@wordwrangler11]

Interesting and insightful analysis.

[@carmineglitch]

Rick is not bipolar, lol. If you have ever met any actors, they are pretty crazy, but I don't know any that can't control their emotions, quite the opposite, (good) actors have full range of their emotions, its just that their crazy because their emotions and expressions are disingenuous in reality.

[@joemanco1075]

He is though

[@magallanesagustin4952]

Tarantino himself confirmed Rick is bipolar.

[@sacklbp]

He is lol

[@lindadechiazza2924]

N A M I it helps

[@johnnash297]

Ya, sure.

[@AlekhyaParapathi-bg1un]

I dont even know what bipolar disorder means .....you saw me in your dreams too?

[@christinacostello3961]

Leo was mad sad, he wasnt happy with his roles. Now we're analyzing rick as bipolar?

[@TristanMiller1]

Please review the pinned comment. But I hope you enjoyed the movie and my video!

[@TheDunestrider]

Psychobabble.

[@andrewphillips799]

QT is GOD.

[@1badjesus401]

THIS was NOT Bipolar Disorder.

[@joemanco1075]

It was supposed to be though

[@christinacostello3961]

Thank you!

[@groguwolf9321]

It's alcoholism

[@christinacostello3961]

You have no idea what bipolar is

[@TristanMiller1]

Joke's on you, I have Bipolar Disorder