Christian Belanger

Who would think about finesse and tenderness when discussing a Tarentino movie? Especially one circling around the Manson cult's sordid doings at the tail end of the 60s. Until this one, I woudn't have. But there you have this beautifully shot and edited movie, stretching it's long legs accross the dashboard of life and looking at the craziness surrounding you with wonderment, anxiety and joy, all with a shadow of a smirk at the corner of it's mouth. Watch Leo at the top of his game, playing an (almost) washed-out actor, grasping at straws, bewildered by the new breed, insecure in his craft but totally dedicated to the work. Along him is Brad, the anchor, being a men's man, self-assured and assertive without any pushiness, the calm in the center of the tornado. Margot Robbie is sweetness incarnated as Sharon Tate and Tarentino showed an unexpected grace and tenderness in how he deals with her story here. All the good Tarentino bits are present: a great soundtrack, ultra-violence and zinging one-liners. However, it's the dosage of these elements with new spices that creates this wonderful movie. For me, it is his best work yet.