And then there were nine. With only one more film to come from Quentin Tarantino, the scarcity of these seems to only add to the sacrilege that his films provide. Number nine provides a homage to seventies Hollywood, a lost world of Western films.

Rick Dalton (Leonardo Di Caprio) is a has been actor. On the last whim of his career, Dalton is only getting through bit parts drinking his life away thinking back to pastures old. Meanwhile, Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) is Rick’s stunt double and is also struggling to find work, but is mainly doing odd jobs for his closest friend.

Tarantino recreates a world with a crispness with old fancy cars and big sets, pushing onto a higher budget to present his love letter. The streets are convincing and the posh houses don’t feel fake at all. With real people being acted as well (Margot Robbie is Sharon Tate), it is full of references which you will get if you’re of a certain age (I admit, most went over my head, so I didn’t get as much out of this film as others would).

The dialogue in the film doesn’t quite flow as easily as in Pulp Fiction with some scenes feeling somewhat laboured and filling. With the picture being over two hours and forty minutes long, we really could have had at least half an hour less, especially at the beginning where it feels very slow. I felt myself getting slightly restless at two hours in as the film hadn’t fully embraced me at that point.

However, this doesn’t stop some scenes being very fun. Cliff’s engagement with the hippies midway through the film provide entertainment and chemistry. DiCaprio acting as an actor who is acting is also fairly impressive.

DiCaprio and Pitt’s acting abilities and chemistry are the highlight of the film. Their chemistry feels so natural. They’re open, yet they have secrets. They trust one another and are both flawed. You buy into both characters and the struggles they are going through.

The film, despite lacking some of the dialogue charm, certainly has some of his quirks in abundance. There is a fair bit of the old ultra violence which is not for the fainthearted. One act particularly doesn’t hold back on offering out the bloodshed. As well as a great Tarantino soundtrack, there are so many feet just out on display.

Summary

Pitt and DiCaprio both thrive together in this Hollywood love letter. It takes a while to get going, but when it does finally kick off, Tarantino doesn’t hold back. [Grade: B-]

What is that guy’s deal with the feet. Maybe my horrible feet are the reason I’m not a Hollywood actor.