“Hollywoodland”
Directed by: Allen Coulter. Starring: Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins.
What happened to George Reeves, the actor best known to millions of fans as television’s Superman? While “Hollywoodland” doesn’t unequivocally answer that question, it does provide several interesting possibilities in this infamous case.
Reeves’ death was ruled a suicide, but the facts behind the case have had people asking questions for years. Adrien Brody’s character, Louis Simo, a private investigator, attempts to get to the truth. Simo uncovers several suspects and motives that could prove that Reeves’ death was a homicide. The film follows Simo on the case that, as it progresses, reveals the complicated life of George Reeves.
Reeves, portrayed by Ben Affleck, has a long-term relationship with Toni Mannix (Diane Lane). She’s the wife of Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins) a Hollywood studio big wig. “Hollywoodland” suggests that their relationship could have gotten Reeves killed. This is one of the angles Simo follows and with which he becomes entangled.
Simo and Reeves characters parallel one another. The film heartbreakingly depicts two men whose lives spin out of control. They both start out ambitious and hungry, and slowly deconstruct. Reeves wants to be a star, and hesitates to take the “Superman” role, for fear it will hurt his career. He’s right in the end. No one could see him differently after that show. Simo, who already has a strained relationship with his ex-wife and son, drifts further from them, as he gets more involved in the case. In the end, Reeves wasn’t able to regain control. Will Simo have the strength to reunite with his family?
The performances in this film were really amazing. Affleck, in particular, really becomes Reeves, a man who could never live up to his own expectations. In the end, it would be interesting to know the truth behind his death. But, discovering how a man, no, not just a man, how “Superman”, ended up embroiled in such controversy, is the real mystery in “Hollywoodland”.
Story: B+
Acting: A-
Visuals: A-
Originality: A-
Enjoyability: B+
Overall: A-
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