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Review #242 of 365
Film: Hollywoodland (2006) [R] 126 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.50
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 10 September 2006
Time: 10:20 p.m.
Directed by: Allen Coulter
Written by: Paul Bernbaum
Featured Cast (Where I Remember Him/Her From):
Robin Tunney ("Prison Break") • Adrien Brody (King Kong-2006) • Molly Parker (The Wicker Man) • Ben Affleck (Goodwill Hunting) • Diane Lane (Must Love Dogs) • Bob Hoskins (Mrs Henderson Presents)
Soundtrack: Download now from 
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
While many viewers will find Hollywoodland, Director Allen Coulter's and Writer Paul Bernbaum's take on one of Hollywood's most mysterious unsolved murder/suicide cases, that of former "Adventures of Superman" star George Reeves, frustrating to say the least for it explores many plausible possibilities for a murder or a suicide without drawing conclusions of likelihood; others will simply relish the irresistible, star-power performances of Diane Lane, Adrien Brody, and Ben Affleck.
From 1952-58, actor George Reeves, formerly known for his role as Stuart Tarleton from Gone with the Wind, took to tv screens as the crimson cape-wearing, faster than a speeding bullet, man of steel, Superman. And, believe it or not, he was reportedly not too happy with the role. This was back before being Superman was all the rage and comic books became movies became comic books became movies, and so on. At the peak, or was it the valley(?), of his career, he was found dead in his upstairs bedroom of a gun shot wound to the head. Police ruled it a suicide. Others have always had doubts. Was it his jealous, sugar-mommy, Toni Mannix (Diane Lane) the wife of MGM head, Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins)? Was it the jealous husband Eddie? Was it the jealous fiancée Leonore Lemmon(Robin Tunney)?? Or had George Reeves really had enough of being remembered for only one thing in his life, and that was his years in tights and a cape, that he took his own life? Well, don't look for answers in this film. The film takes no stand on that. What it does do, however, through the eyes of fictional private investigator, Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) retained by his mother to uncover the truth regarding George's death. The film, then, follows two parallel stories: Louis's troubled life as a P.I. with a reputation for liking his name in the paper more than he liked solving crimes as he attempts to get to the bottom of George's death, and George's rise to national superstardom as The Adventures of Superman became one of the most popular family shows on television while George was having an affair with Toni Mannix. Both stories are compelling with intriguing parallels. Both men aspire to some unattainable level of greatness, and neither is capable of seeing what's around them and appreciating it for what it's worth. Louis is divorced from a great spouse and young son. While he sits in his car for hours following wives of suspicious husbands, his former wife has found his son a new, more-involved father. George has a lovely and loving mistress who keeps him in the lap of luxury and a top-rated television show, but all he longs for is being a famous director/producer. In the end, quite surprisingly, this turns out to be a great film for the actors with these very interesting on screen characters, and not such a great movie overall. It's not terribly easy to point to any one thing as the source of dissatisfaction. It could be the lack of resolution, which is not the fault of the writer who chose to stick by the historical accuracy. It could also be that as great as the characters of Reeves and Simo are with their many demons, sordid lives, and unresolved futures, the film and, perhaps, history give us little reason to really care for them as people or want to learn what made them tick. Neither comes across as a great tragic figure.
From 1952-58, actor George Reeves, formerly known for his role as Stuart Tarleton from Gone with the Wind, took to tv screens as the crimson cape-wearing, faster than a speeding bullet, man of steel, Superman. And, believe it or not, he was reportedly not too happy with the role. This was back before being Superman was all the rage and comic books became movies became comic books became movies, and so on. At the peak, or was it the valley(?), of his career, he was found dead in his upstairs bedroom of a gun shot wound to the head. Police ruled it a suicide. Others have always had doubts. Was it his jealous, sugar-mommy, Toni Mannix (Diane Lane) the wife of MGM head, Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins)? Was it the jealous husband Eddie? Was it the jealous fiancée Leonore Lemmon(Robin Tunney)?? Or had George Reeves really had enough of being remembered for only one thing in his life, and that was his years in tights and a cape, that he took his own life? Well, don't look for answers in this film. The film takes no stand on that. What it does do, however, through the eyes of fictional private investigator, Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) retained by his mother to uncover the truth regarding George's death. The film, then, follows two parallel stories: Louis's troubled life as a P.I. with a reputation for liking his name in the paper more than he liked solving crimes as he attempts to get to the bottom of George's death, and George's rise to national superstardom as The Adventures of Superman became one of the most popular family shows on television while George was having an affair with Toni Mannix. Both stories are compelling with intriguing parallels. Both men aspire to some unattainable level of greatness, and neither is capable of seeing what's around them and appreciating it for what it's worth. Louis is divorced from a great spouse and young son. While he sits in his car for hours following wives of suspicious husbands, his former wife has found his son a new, more-involved father. George has a lovely and loving mistress who keeps him in the lap of luxury and a top-rated television show, but all he longs for is being a famous director/producer. In the end, quite surprisingly, this turns out to be a great film for the actors with these very interesting on screen characters, and not such a great movie overall. It's not terribly easy to point to any one thing as the source of dissatisfaction. It could be the lack of resolution, which is not the fault of the writer who chose to stick by the historical accuracy. It could also be that as great as the characters of Reeves and Simo are with their many demons, sordid lives, and unresolved futures, the film and, perhaps, history give us little reason to really care for them as people or want to learn what made them tick. Neither comes across as a great tragic figure.
"frustrating film with irresistible, star-power performances"
So, while the movie itself is not great, Mr. Brody, Mr. Affleck, and Ms Lane deliver some of their best work in a while and maybe their best ever (four years for Brody--Academy Award® for The Piano Player, nine for Affleck—Academy Award® for Good Will Hunting, and four years for Lane—Academy Award® nomination for Unfaithful). Sources report that Hugh Jackman was originally cast as George Reeves but he had to fall out due to conflicts with X-Men scheduling. This was fortuitous for the film and for Ben Affleck for I can honestly say I can picture no one doing a better job with the George Reeves character. The same can be said for Adrien Brody's rendition of Louis Simo. Mr. Brody is simply one of the best actors of his generation. He chooses his roles carefully; and, once cast, becomes them. As for Ms Lane, this could finally be her Academy Award®-winning role. She's a knock out one-two-punch with her stunning looks and Siren-like power. She embodies Toni Maddix with seductive powers that reel in the willing George Reeves like a starving fish to juicy salmon eggs. Bob Hoskins also does a great job as Eddie Mannix, the man behind the myth; and, perhaps, the most likely suspect if George Reeves was murdered at all.
Regardless of the fact that the film turns out less satisfying than some had hoped, you've got to give credit to all involved for giving this thing a try. On the surface it has all the potential in the world to be great. I'm not sure anyone could have predicted that the reason the film might not sit so well in the end is that the flaws of the main characters would become all the more painfully obvious. In the end, the film's not super after all.
Regardless of the fact that the film turns out less satisfying than some had hoped, you've got to give credit to all involved for giving this thing a try. On the surface it has all the potential in the world to be great. I'm not sure anyone could have predicted that the reason the film might not sit so well in the end is that the flaws of the main characters would become all the more painfully obvious. In the end, the film's not super after all.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Hollywoodland (2006) Cast Members
Robin Tunney • Adrien Brody • Molly Parker
Ben Affleck • Diane Lane • Bob Hoskins
Other Projects Featuring Hollywoodland (2006) Director
Allen Coulter
| CD Soundtrack | DVD | Related DVD |
| CD Score | VHS | Related DVD |
Hollywoodland (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Many will find Hollywoodland, Allen Coulter's take on Hollywood's unresolved, murder/suicide case, that of "Adventures of Superman" star George Reeves (Ben Affleck), dissatisfying and frustrating as it explores possibilities without drawing conclusions; others will relish the irresistible performances of Diane Lane, Adrien Brody, and Affleck. At the peak of his career, Reeves was found dead of a gunshot wound. Police ruled it a suicide. Others had doubts. Was it his jealous, sugar-momma, Toni (Lane) wife of MGM mogul, Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins)? Was it the jealous husband? Was it his jealous fiancée Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney)? Or did a disgruntled Reeves take his own life? Fictional detective, Louis Simo (Brody) seeks to uncover the truth while battling his own demons. Despite a great script for actors, the film as a whole, due to a lack of resolution and two main characters who fail to emerge as tragic heroes, isn't super.
1 comment:
Great review .. Although i do give Coulter and Bernbaum credit for taking this on, I think I would have been much more satisfied with a simple biopic on George Reeves ... Ben and Diane are so great together that the movie just sinks when they're not on screen
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