This is one of those films in which you have to ignore the exorbitantly high ratings that precede the official opening of the film. Clearly a lot of insiders or self-important movie buffs inflated the rating based on the reputation of the director and maybe personal nostalgia for the era depicted in the film.. I do not think anyone could objectively deem this a "10" or perfect movie.

It was overly-long, it dragged and dragged, and its plot was thin. I dozed off at least twice. I almost walked out I was so bored and frustrated. It just wasn't going anywhere!

Then came "the scene." It was everything you'd want and expect from a Tarrentino film. It shocked you into attention, shook you awake from the long slumber that preceded it. I will concede that even though as a somewhat squeamish person, I had to look away a couple times, it was an overall satisfying and invigorating climax.

But it wasn't enough to save the overall film.

A great film has to provide more than ten minutes of compelling footage. It has to keeps the audience's attention throughout. It has to tell a story in which the audience can follow and find some type of meaning. "Once" just doesn't do that.

I was going to rate this film a 4, but I reconsidered because I do think "the scene" provides enough excitement to make the film memorable, at least short-term, and I believe that at least warrants another rating point. 5/10 is my final answer.