Introduction: In Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Cliff Booth, the laid-back, rugged stuntman, stands as one of the most memorable performances of his career. This role not only allowed Pitt to showcase his enduring charm and magnetic screen presence but also demonstrated his extraordinary depth as an actor, navigating the layers of a complex and enigmatic character. Cliff Booth is a man defined by contradictions: tough yet vulnerable, heroic yet flawed, and deeply loyal while at times, lost in the shifting world of 1960s Hollywood. Tarantino’s signature storytelling combined with Pitt’s nuanced portrayal elevated the role, making it one of the defining moments in Pitt’s illustrious career.
The Complexity of the Character: Cliff Booth, though a stuntman by profession, is far more than the traditional action movie sidekick. At first glance, he may appear as the archetypal “cool guy,” always at ease and cracking a joke. However, as the film unfolds, audiences discover the multi-dimensional aspects of his personality. Cliff is a man with a rich inner life, and Pitt’s performance beautifully highlights the complexity within him.
What makes Booth such a compelling character is his combination of charm, toughness, vulnerability, and mystery. Pitt’s portrayal captures the spirit of a man who exudes effortless charisma—his laid-back demeanor and infectious grin make him an enduring presence on screen. Yet beneath the surface, there’s an undercurrent of sadness, loss, and a haunting sense of disillusionment. Cliff was once a rising star in the Hollywood stunt world, but with the collapse of the studio system and the changing tides of the film industry, his career and identity have begun to wane. This looming uncertainty and fading glory form the emotional bedrock of his character.
Brad Pitt walks a fine line between being a hero and an enigmatic figure, making Cliff both a comforting presence and an unpredictable character. The charm with which Pitt imbues Cliff resonates deeply with the audience, but it is his vulnerability and the air of mystery that elevate the role. Pitt’s ability to toggle between light-hearted moments and more introspective, emotionally complex scenes showcases his range as an actor and cements Cliff Booth as one of his most remarkable performances.
Physical Challenges: Cliff Booth’s role as a stuntman demands not only emotional depth but significant physicality. The film features several memorable stunt sequences, fight scenes, and intense action moments, all of which Brad Pitt was required to bring to life. As a man whose livelihood depends on physical prowess, Booth is constantly engaging in physically demanding tasks, from staging dangerous stunts to participating in hand-to-hand combat. These scenes required Pitt to undergo rigorous training in order to perform with the precision and skill that the character demands.
One of the most iconic scenes in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is the fight sequence between Cliff and Bruce Lee (portrayed by Mike Moh). In this pivotal scene, Booth squares off against the legendary martial artist in a playful yet high-stakes battle that showcases both Pitt’s physical agility and his comedic timing. The sequence is a masterful blend of action and humor, and Pitt’s ability to embody the character with both toughness and ease is a testament to his dedication to the role. The choreography of the fight scene required precision and finesse, but Pitt’s portrayal of Booth’s calm confidence and lightheartedness made it a standout moment in the film.
Beyond the Bruce Lee fight, Pitt’s physical performance throughout the movie is striking, whether he’s driving his iconic car or engaging in the various other stunts and fights that make up his daily life. His physicality is integral to the character, and Pitt’s training to portray a seasoned stuntman adds an undeniable authenticity to the role. Whether it’s delivering a quick punch or throwing himself into a high-speed car chase, Pitt’s commitment to the physical demands of the role enhances the overall believability of Cliff Booth as a stuntman. The role might have tested his body in new ways, but it also reinforced Pitt’s ability to adapt to whatever challenges the character might face.
Embodying the 1960s Hollywood Vibe: The setting of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is just as important as the characters themselves. The film is a love letter to the golden age of Hollywood, and the 1960s were a particularly transformative time in the industry. For Brad Pitt, embodying the cultural and societal context of this era was essential to bringing his character, Cliff Booth, to life. From the fashion to the music to the subtle social cues, Pitt had to immerse himself in the world of 1969 Los Angeles to ensure that Booth felt like a natural product of this time period.
One of the challenges of playing a character like Cliff is balancing authenticity with avoiding an over-reliance on stereotypes. The 1960s were a time of rapid change, both within Hollywood and across American society. Pitt had to navigate the shifting tides of the film industry as well as the broader cultural revolution taking place. While Cliff Booth embodies elements of the archetypal “cool” 1960s figure—effortlessly handsome, self-assured, and a bit of a rebel—Pitt’s performance resists making him into a caricature. Instead, Cliff feels like a man who, despite embodying the external markers of his time, is also somewhat out of place in the new Hollywood that’s emerging around him.
Pitt’s wardrobe, including the rugged leather jacket and jeans, as well as his mannerisms—often laid-back yet tinged with a quiet intensity—speak volumes about the character’s relationship with the era. By fully inhabiting this time period without overdoing it, Pitt ensured that Cliff Booth felt authentic, as though he were a genuine product of 1960s Hollywood, yet still uniquely his own person. His ability to move through the streets of LA and interact with characters in an environment so distinctly rooted in the past brought a real sense of nostalgia and immersion to the film.
The Emotional Depth: Beyond the physical and cultural demands of the role, Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Cliff Booth dives deep into the emotional complexity of the character. Cliff’s life is marked by a sense of loss: his career as a stuntman has plateaued, and he is left trying to find his place in a rapidly changing world. His relationships, especially with his best friend and long-time collaborator, Rick Dalton (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), are pivotal in exploring this emotional dimension.
Cliff’s unwavering loyalty to Rick—who is struggling with his own fading career—reveals the depths of his character. Despite facing his own career setbacks, Cliff remains steadfast in his commitment to Rick’s well-being, even when the latter becomes increasingly erratic. This sense of loyalty, coupled with the disillusionment Cliff feels toward Hollywood’s system, lends the character a layer of emotional complexity that Pitt deftly captures. Cliff’s bond with Rick is a mixture of friendship, mentorship, and mutual dependence, and Pitt’s portrayal is marked by a quiet vulnerability that helps elevate the film’s emotional resonance.
Furthermore, the film’s subtle exploration of Cliff’s past—particularly his mysterious history involving the death of his wife—adds additional layers of complexity to the character. While this backstory is never fully explored, Pitt conveys a sense of unresolved guilt and pain that shapes Cliff’s actions and decisions throughout the film. By not over-explaining the character’s emotional struggles, Pitt allows audiences to engage with the subtext and piece together the complexities of Cliff’s life. This restraint, coupled with Pitt’s ability to convey emotional depth through silence and small moments, makes his portrayal all the more powerful.
Collaboration with Quentin Tarantino: As is often the case in Tarantino’s films, the relationship between director and actor plays a crucial role in the final product. Brad Pitt’s collaboration with Tarantino was essential in shaping the character of Cliff Booth. Known for his distinctive style, Tarantino’s script offers plenty of space for improvisation and interpretation, and Pitt’s ability to collaborate with him resulted in a performance that feels both meticulously crafted and organic.
Tarantino’s trust in Pitt’s instincts is evident in the way Cliff Booth’s character is portrayed. Pitt was given the freedom to bring his own interpretation to the role while adhering to the script’s specific rhythm and tone. Tarantino’s direction allowed Pitt to explore the character’s nuances, particularly in the moments when Cliff is alone, such as his interactions with his dog or when he’s simply driving around Los Angeles. These small moments of solitude add richness to the character, and Pitt’s ability to infuse them with emotional weight speaks to his deep understanding of Cliff’s inner life.
Tarantino’s unique approach to storytelling, which often blends humor with violence, also allowed Pitt to show his range in unexpected ways. Cliff Booth’s moments of levity are balanced by intense moments of action, and Pitt’s willingness to embrace both sides of the character contributed to the role’s success.
Conclusion: Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a masterclass in acting, blending charm, physicality, emotional depth, and subtlety into a performance that resonates long after the film ends. Cliff Booth is a multi-layered character, and Pitt’s ability to balance the various facets of his persona—his rugged exterior, his vulnerable interior, and his enigmatic qualities—makes him one of the most memorable characters in recent cinematic history.
The role also marked a pivotal moment in Pitt’s career, earning him critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In bringing Cliff Booth to life, Pitt not only navigated the challenges of portraying a stuntman but also infused the character with a deep emotional core, resulting in a performance that encapsulated the magic and melancholy of 1960s Hollywood. It is, without a doubt, one of his finest performances to date.
