Maybe you never saw the movie. Maybe you think Tarantino is too violent or that ’60s Hollywood is just a bunch of old photos in a dentist’s waiting room. That’s fine. But here’s the thing: this book isn’t really about the movie. It’s about friendship. It’s about the way you and your best friend can sit in silence, eating pizza, and feel totally understood. That’s exactly what Dunham explores between Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) and Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio).
She makes you feel the ache of two guys who are past their prime but refuse to give up. It’s like when you see your dad trying to learn a TikTok dance. It’s awkward, a little sad, but also incredibly sweet. You root for them hard.
The Little Moments That Matter
One of the best parts of the book is when Dunham talks about the lunches on set. Seriously. She describes how Tarantino would eat the same thing every day—a grilled cheese, maybe. And the whole crew would just exist in this weird, happy bubble. It reminded me of my old office job, where the best part of the day was arguing about the best flavor of bagel with coworkers. Those tiny rituals? They’re the real movie.
Lena Dunham's Latest Role Is A Manson Family Member
She also has a hilarious chapter about the shoes in the film. Margot Robbie’s character, Sharon Tate, wears these little white boots. Dunham spends pages talking about how those boots represent innocence, danger, and good fashion sense. It sounds ridiculous, but by the end, you’ll be googling “1969 white boots” and wondering if you can pull them off.
