Opened: December 23, 2022

Directed by: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Olivia Hamilton, P. J. Byrne, Lukas Haas, Max Minghella, Rory Scovel, Katherine Waterston, Tobey Maguire, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Samara Weaving, Olivia Wilde, Chloe Fineman, Phoebe Tonkin & Spike Jonze

In the first few minutes of this film, you’ll experience shock and disgust – and if you can get through that, you’ll enjoy this outrageous film about early Hollywood.

Manny Torres (Diego Calvas) works on the outskirts of the film industry but wants to be part of the spectacle when he meets aspiring actress Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie. Star Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) doesn’t transition well when the pictures go from silent to talkies.

Writer-director Damien Chazelle takes a lot of inspiration from Singin’ in the Rain (which has clips featured near the end), but this film is completely wild with drugs, sex and nudity. It pushes its limits, but you’ll never be bored.

Newcomer Calva and screen legend Jean Smart have the best roles in their characters’ different views of Hollywood.

Final say: You’ll love it or hate it. ★★★★☆