On the surface, there are a lot of similarities between author/screenwriter Bret Easton Ellis and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. Now, before you get all up in arms, let me explain. The “American Psycho” author has made a name for himself in recent years as an opinionated fellow (some might say he’s a bit troll-ish) that is never afraid to open his mouth about a subject. Tarantino is much the same way, though the director’s words tend to stay in the realm of film.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Films Of 2019
Well, in a new essay penned for Variety, Ellis wrote about Tarantino’s latest film, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and unsurprisingly, finds much to like about the acclaimed fairy tale. And while the author enjoys the more “profane” parts of the film, Ellis is quick to point out that ‘Once Upon a Time’ might be the most “heartfelt” movie that the filmmaker has released to date.
READ MORE: The Best Soundtracks & Scores Of The Decade [2010s]
Ellis wrote, “This dream of a movie, a triumph of directing and design and a monumental piece of Gen X pop art, has a script that’s both a deeply felt work of revisionist historical fiction (like ‘Inglourious Basterds’ and ‘Django Unchained’) and a daring, funny and profane piece of screenwriting from one of our last mainstream auteurs: a rollicking period-drenched lovefest, a fetishistic epic with what seems like a hundred speaking parts, digressive and novelistic.”
The “American Psycho” author added, “It can border on the pleasingly cartoonish with its Mad magazine outrageousness, but what Tarantino locates within the broader strokes is the humanity of his characters — this is his warmest and most heartfelt movie to date.”
One of the biggest compliments lobbed at ‘Once Upon a Time’ is how the film is clearly a love letter to an era of Hollywood that was marred by one of the most tragic, senseless acts of violence in American history. And in that respect, there’s a definite sweetness and warmth on display, as Tarantino does his best to rectify those events.
As we continue through awards season, it’ll be interesting to see if voters agree with Ellis’ assessment.