Under the violence, stylish violence, and highly-quotable dialogue, Tarantino writes from his heart’s inner sanctum. Maybe that’s why his films resonate with viewers so well.

Quentin once admitted that friends have scolded him for including such intimate events in his films. When I first heard this, I wondered what a chainsaw massacre in a rape dungeon could have to do with Tarantino’s personal life.

And I think I’ve found something.

Before going any further, I’ll drop a major spoiler alert for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and minor spoiler alert for Reservoir Dogs.

Quentin himself does not suffer from bipolar disorder. Nor is he a struggling actor at the end of the 1960s. Nevertheless, I believe Tarantino injected a massive portion of his biography into Rick Dalton.

Here’s why:

1. Dalton is an outsider.

Getting into Hollywood didn’t come easy for Quentin Tarantino. He spent almost a decade working on the outskirts of Hollywood before his big break.

Rick Dalton literally lives on the outskirts of Hollywood. His house, however, is right next to Roman Polansky’s — one of the greatest Hollywood directors in 1960’s America. Rick admits to Cliff that he’s prepared to pay for an hyper-expensive house in Hollywood if it means he has a chance of talking to Polanski.

2. Dalton has a temper.

“I’m shutting your butt down.” In the distance, cheering. Source

Tarantino isn’t afraid to speak his mind, nor is he afraid to fight for what’s right. Youtube is replete with Tarantino gems, where the director brutally shuts down journalists attempting to link film violence and real-life violence. Journalists hoping to scrounge an unsolicited interview while Quentin’s walking out of a coffee shop are in for a verbal beatdown.

Likewise, Dalton gives a piece of his mind to the hippies occupying his private road. Where most of us would unload our rage in a fantasy argument several hours after the fact, both Dalton and Quentin immediately confront the transgressors.

3. Dalton’s temper is heroic.

If Dalton hadn’t shouted at Tex a second time, Tex would likely have shot Dalton and, eventually killed Sharon Tate. The movie’s alternative, good-ending history hinges on Dalton’s ability to be brave, furiously brave, in that vital moment when Tex reaches for his gun.

In essence, Quentin is recognising that the ability to stand up to people you disagree with can change history. He’s acknowledging his own temper, and he is proud of it.

It’s interesting to note the similarity between Quentin’s character in Pulp Fiction wearing a bathrobe and DeCaprio is in a similar, domicile costume. Also, Dalton’s holding a margarita-laden blender brings to mind the Youtube video of Tarantino, coffee still in hand, busting the proverbial balls of a paparazzi-photographer.

4. Dalton has a young and foreign wife.

During the promotional tour of Inglorious Basterds, Tarantino met his future Israeli wife — Daniella Pick. She’s 20 years younger than Tarantino. Likewise, Rick Dalton’s wife is about 20 years younger than Dalton. In fact, Rick’s wife is played by Daniella Pick.

5. Dalton is a late bloomer

Who would have thought that a 29-year-old high-school dropout who used to work at a porn theatre* and a video rental would go on to direct a film-festival hit?

Audiences have learnt to expect a cruel Hollywood. Here, however, the precocious 8-year-old Trudi sympathises with Dalton’s inner turmoil and supports him. And Rick, instead of crashing and burning in the downward spiral of a B-list career, reemerges as a phoenix.

*A porn theatre makes a brief appearance in Once Upon A Time in Hollywood as Tate and Polanksi enter the Vega Grill. Vega Grill being a reference to Pulp Fiction’s Vincent Vega and Reservoir Dogs’ Vic Vega.

6. Dalton is an actor.

It’s been pointed out that every protagonist in Quentin’s movies is an actor. (The exceptions are Deathproof and Kill Bill, which, technically speaking, belong to a different fictional universe). One of the Reservoir Dogs is an undercover cop, Django pretends to be bounty hunter, the Inglorious Basterds pretend to be Italians **, everyone in The Hateful Eight is pretending to be someone they aren’t.

Quentin went to acting school. He has often stated that his experience as an actor defines his directorial vision. In fact, before he wanted to be a screenwriter or a director, he wanted to become an actor.

In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Rick Dalton is a professional actor, which makes his character that much closer to Quentin Tarantino.

**Aldo Raine, played by Brad Pitt lies about being a stunt double. Tarantino playing the long game.

7. Dalton and Cliff part ways.

Although it was Dalton who caused the timeline alteration by standing up to Tex, it was Cliff who saved the day. Cliff is wheeled into an ambulance, and it finally dawns on Dalton: he’s been taking Cliff for granted all this time.

Cliff lives in a dilapidated trailer on the outskirts of a drive-in movie theatre. It doesn’t get much more ‘Loserville’ than that. This said, Cliff displays a sort of inner peace, a holy grace. He lacks Dalton’s neuroticism and doesn’t mind being in the shadow beside the limelight.

Tarantino has said that he had to get out of ‘Loserville’ to become a successful director. Maybe now, however, he’s grown nostalgic of his old friendships. Cliff could be the best qualities of an old friend or several former friends that lived in ‘Loserville’.

True to Quentin’s recollections, the two must go separate ways before Dalton can walk into Polanski’s house, and, presumably, become a major league actor.

8. Tarantino is in every movie.

Whether he’s a corpse being scalped in Basterds, a crazy 88 member in Kill Bill, or the narrator in The Hateful Eight, Tarantino makes a cameo appearance in all of his movies, except for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

This movie is so personal that there’d be no point in adding himself as an actor. DiCaprio is Quentin. The buzzing neon that comes alive each night is Quentin. Every scene in this movie is Quentin’s cameo.

9. Dalton is Tarantino.

Bringing it all together, Dalton’s character arc is a reflection of Tarantino’s own journey into Hollywood. He starts on the outskirts of town, stuck in Loserville in the middle of his life. Through sheer perseverance and a love of acting, as well as through exposure to genius Italian filmmaking Rick/Tarantino gets his first push into Tinseltown.

Rick/Tarantino is confronted by weak, twisted people and, thanks to his moral integrity and ability to shout at people, he defeats them with the help of his faithful sidekick and friend (Batman and Robin?).

Having lived on the outskirts of Hollywood for so long, right beside Major League Hollywood, Roman Polanksi finally calls over Rick/Tarantino. The pearly gates of Hollywood open and our Hero enters.