Enlightened Entertainment Finding Life Lessons in Movies & Television: Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood
Dr. Sara Frawley
As a Quentin Tarantino fan, you could not have expected me to miss out on writing about his newest film. This masterpiece not only showcases some amazing talent but also QT’s ability to write a damn good screenplay. This story highlights some important metaphysical aspects not only about life, but about history as well.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
“Synchronicity is an ever-present reality for those who have the eyes to see”. - Carl Jung
Synchronicity is defined as ‘the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.’ These meaningful coincidences are present throughout the film. Cliff keeps just stumbling across a member of the ‘Manson Family’ named ‘Pussycat’ who is living with several other members of the ‘Family’ at the infamous Spahn Ranch. Cliff explains how he’s worked at the ranch in the past (example #1). Cliff also just happens to work for Rick, who lives next door to Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski, the site of the most infamous Manson Family murder (example #2). While some people would see these as just random coincidences, these events all culminate into an ending, which if occurred in real life could have changed the course of history.
Carl Jung reminds us that these chance happenstances are ever-present in our lives if we can only be mindful enough to see them. Have you ever run into someone you were just thinking of? Do you see the same number everywhere you go? Or has a song come on the radio that you were just humming to yourself? These things happen all the time. If we are just mindful enough to see them, it can be a lovely reminder from the universe that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.
The Butterfly Effect (The theory; not the terrible movie).
The ‘Butterfly Effect’ is a metaphysical theory that states that something that might seem inconsequential can have a major effect on later events. The term is derived from the idea that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can influence the weather several weeks later. Just like in his film Inglourious Basterds, Tarantino plays with this idea in this variation of historical fiction.
Most people are familiar with the Manson Family’s infamous Tate-LaBianca murders, but let me refresh your memory. On August 9th, 1969, the very pregnant Sharon Tate (actor and wife of director Roman Polanski) and three of her close friends were brutally murdered in Tate and Polanski’s home at 10050 Cielo Drive. To this day, we still don’t know exactly why this house was targeted (a ‘friend’ of Manson’s previously lived there, but that seems to be the only connection).
In the movie, one of the members of the ‘Family’ flees before the attack causing some confusion and resulting in the other members going to the wrong house, the house of our main character. In real life, this slight error would have resulted in a major change in US history. These murders were said to be the end of the “Free Love Era”. In Tarantino’s variation, would this have continued? Would Sharon Tate have gone on to be a great actor? Would Roman Polanski’s (who later fled the country after being found guilty of the sexual abuse of a minor) life been very different?
The grass is NEVER greener.
Throughout the film, Rick Dalton (played by DiCaprio) is unable to see the blessings that surround him. He has a beautiful home, a steady job and I’m sure plenty of hot girlfriends. Cliff (played by Brad Pitt) is continuously reminding Rick that his life ‘ain't so bad’. Cliff is obviously Rick’s counter in the movie. He is grateful for everything. “Just happy to have a job”.
Pitt’s character is a great reminder to be grateful for what you have and to express that gratitude regularly. True sorrow is wondering what could be and comparing oneself to others. True happiness is being grateful for what you have and knowing that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
“There are no small parts, only small actors.” - Constantin Stanislavski
Rick’s lack of gratitude really drives his sorrow throughout the film. Like most of us, from time to time, we can get drained by our life and career. Often this leads to us just ‘phoning it in’ until hopefully someone or something gives us a swift kick in the butt.
While shooting a pilot, Rick works with a child actor named Trudi Fraser. She reminds him to strive for perfection, which while is not reachable, is worth the pursuit. This enlightened 8-year-old reminds us to give it our all, in everything we do. When it comes to the smallest chore to our relationships (or in the case of the characters, a small TV pilot to a high budget movie), it is important to always do our best.
Sara B. Frawley is a chemist, human biology professor, and personal holistic doctor. She is the owner of Ground Force Medicine, LLC in Wallingford and Cromwell, CT as well as the founder of Ground Force Supplements LLC.. Dr. Frawley uses her medical detective skills to understand the underlying causes of disease. She works with adults with chronic diseases, such as cancer or Lyme utilizing counseling, botanical medicine, anti-inflammatory diets such as the “Blood Type Diet” and through genetic analysis.