re: Re-watching "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" right now

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The ending when the Manson family scum get massacred was oddly very satisfying despite being very far removed from the actual events by so much time and exposure.

A very sad and sick and old event that somehow was good to see an “alternative ending” for, even if in fiction and nearly 50 years after the fact.

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CATHARSIS.

It's probably the biggest reason that this movie is so beloved by members of my generation. I was too young to remember the actual event, but was in junior high when the book and TV movie Helter Skelter came out, and it was on all of our young teen minds back then. The creepiness of Manson and his followers... the tragedy of a pregnant beauty being foully murdered. And then around that time we had former Manson bitch Squeaky Fromme in the news again, attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford. The whole Manson thing was like a nightmare that wouldn't go away for us.

Then there is this movie, when the 'right' thing happens. Sharon Tate lives, her baby lives, those creepy Mansonites get their just desserts, and the good guys win.

That's why we all loved it.

Catharsis.

I have kept the movie on the DVR and watch bits and pieces often. I never tire of the scene when Cliff Booth pegs Sadie right in the face with the can of dog food like a fastball, always yelling out "BOOM!" every time.

Catharsis.

But in my many viewings, I am always catching things I missed the first time. A few examples:

-- When the Mansonites first burst in, and Cliff asks, "Uh, can I help you?" Brandy is about to go after them. In a subdued motion, you see Cliff's hand signal her to stay put, referencing his near total control over this loyal pet we saw earlier.

-- When Cliff goes into the shed to get tools to fix the antenna, the firethrower is in there, right by the shed door.

-- the first and last lines of Cliff Booth in the movie (in 'real' time) are essentially the same. When told he is a good friend, he replies, "I try".


A couple of other historical notes--

The blonde talking to Steve McQueen about the Sharon/Roman/ Jay triangle is supposed to be Connie Stevens (I originally thought it was Joey Heatherton or Rona Barrett). She had earlier been married to James Stacy, who was the star of Lancer and played in the movie by Timothy Olyphant.

James Stacy/Olyphant is last seen leaving the set on a motorcycle. In real life, a few years later (1973) he was involved in a motorcycle accident which literally cost him an arm and a leg. Afterwards, he would appear in guest roles on TV shows where his disabilities were visually appropriate: Vietnam War vet, civil war vet, etc. Many years later he was convicted of molesting an 11 year girl and did six years in prison.