Hollywoodland

By: Andrew Moran

3 ½ Stars out of 5 Stars

Starring (Alphabetical Order): Ben Affleck, Adrien Brody, Bob Hoskins, Diane Lane, Molly Parker, Lois Smith and Robin Tunney

Hollywoodland is a uniquely compelling exploration of fame and identity, inspired by one of Hollywood's most infamous real-life mysteries. The film is the feature directorial debut for Allen Coulter (Emmy and DGA Award nominee for his work on The Sopranos and Sex and the City). June 16, 1959. The glamour of Tinseltown permanently fades for actor George Reeves, the heroic Man of Steel on TV's Adventures of Superman, as the actor dies in his Hollywood Hills home. Felled by a single gunshot wound, Reeves (portrayed in Hollywoodland by Academy Award winner Ben Affleck) leaves behind a fiancée - aspiring starlet Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney) - and millions of fans who are shocked by his death. But it is his grieving mother, Helen Bessolo (Lois Smith), who will not let the questionable circumstances surrounding his demise go unaddressed. Helen seeks justice, or at least answers. The Los Angeles Police Department closes the case, but Helen hires - for $50 a day - private detective Louis Simo (Academy Award winner Adrien Brody). Simo soon ascertains that the torrid affair Reeves had with Toni Mannix (Academy Award nominee Diane Lane), the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix (Academy Award nominee Bob Hoskins), might hold the key to the truth. But truth and justice are not so easily found in Hollywood. Simo pursues dangerous and elusive leads in both high and low places and, in trying to turn up the heat, risks getting burned. The detective also uncovers unexpected connections to his own life as the case turns more personal and he learns more about Reeves himself. Behind the icon was a complex man who gave his life to Hollywood in more ways then one. 

Hollywoodland is a great neo-noir thriller with extravagance.  This film had everything a noir-thriller should have, like the days of Double Indemnity and Lady from Shanghai, a great score, great cinematography, superb acting and directing and a terrific movie all around.  What really made this movie standout was Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting & Paycheck).  This is possibly the best film Ben Affleck has ever done. He played George Reeves magnificently and added charm and wit to the screen.  I really enjoyed the present and the flashbacks to this film and with Adrien Brody playing the relentless indifferent detective was just icing to the cake.  With this fall having a ton of riveting films coming out this was a great start to the fall season.

There is no doubt Allen Coulter (Rome & The Sopranos) was aiming for a L.A. Confidential feel to it, it was still an original piece overall.  Sure it had the typical story-line but trust me, for today’s standards, this was original.  Besides Ben Affleck’s extraordinary role, what made this film fantastic was the score.  This is possibly one of the best soundtracks of 2006. During Adrien Brody’s time they had the riveting and intense score and during the flashbacks the great jazz of Glenn Miller and some updated versions of the classics. The major problem this film had was the lack of screen time Bob Hoskins was given.  He is one of the most underrated actors in film today and with his character, and without giving too much away, a character in the investigation, a major person in the film. 

I’d recommend this film to anyone who has a fascination, like I do, in Film-Noir.   Speaking of Film-Noir, please rent the DVD Double Indemnity and check out next week’s Black Dahlia and check here for the review.