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Hollywoodland – Spoiler Free Review

Although the mystery and events behind the death of Marilyn Monroe gets all the attention, it is the tragic suicide of George Reeves three years prior that many conspiracy analysts see as the first great Hollywood mystery. Hollywoodland attempts to shed more light on the events that led to George Reeves’ death in his own bedroom at the age of 45. To many, George Reeves is Superman, the hero that children all across the United States rushed home to watch after school.

Indeed, as Hollywoodland reveals, The Adventures of Superman was one of the highest rated shows of all time. (At least among the show's target audience, children). The news of George Reeves' suicide with a Ruger pistol sends ripples through tens of thousands of children, children that could not believe that Superman could die. Let alone take his own life with (as stated by a child in the film) a "Nazi gun".

Starring Adrian Brody, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, and Ben Affleck as George Reeves, Hollywoodland is one of two period noir pieces that I have been looking forward to see. (With the other being The Black Dahlia). Filmed by first time film director, Allen Coulter, Hollywoodland perfectly captures both the glamour and grime of 1950s Hollywood. With more akin to the mafia then artists, the men who called the shots in Hollywood are masters of all they see and actors like George Reeves paid the price. The performances are extremely solid, with each actor bringing multiple layers to their characters. Adrian Brody's character is more then a private eye simply scamming gullible husbands for $50.00 a day. He is a haunted man who allows his own pride and past to prevent him from having a relationship with his estranged son and ex-wife. Bob Hoskins once again proves that he should play the heavy in darn near every film. As Eddie Mannix, the head of MGM Pictures, Bob Hoskins portrays a man who is master of his kingdom, but rules from a throne he knows are slowly crumbling. Easy to dismiss as a comic book style villain, Hoskins introduces a hint of humanity with his character.

Diane Lane, a vastly underrated performer once again shines in the role of Toni Mannix, Eddie’s wife and woman who knows her time is limited as the current Mrs. Mannix. Shifting seamlessly from a vulnerable woman to manipulative femme fatale, Diane Lane takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster; one moment you want her to drop dead then Lane effortlessly elicits sadness and pity. A stunning actress. Then we come to the actor whom all thought would bring this film down. Ben Affleck as George Reeves, the actor who was Superman to tens of thousands of people. Now, let me admit now. I like Ben Affleck, I really do. Perhaps he isn’t the greatest actor to grace the screen, but, given a good script and direction, Affleck brings a good performance. Plus, he just seems like a guy who would be fun to drink beer with and talk about comics and girls. Ben is great as George Reeves, pure and simple. His performance is subtle and never once did he succumb to a ham-handed performance so many critics expect. His portrayal of George Reeves perfectly captures a man trapped by the very character who puts the food on the table and his face in the public eye. Affleck captured many of the personal characteristics that students of George Reeves know. When he is calm, his speaks with a perfect west-coast voice and yet when Reeves becomes flustered or upset, Affleck pulls a slight southern accent reflecting Reeves’ childhood home. Leave your "Affleck, you ‘da bomb in Phantoms yo" jokes at the door. This film proves Affleck doesn’t need Kevin Smith dialogue to turn in a strong performance.

Hollywoodland not only covers the suspect events surrounding the death of George Reeves, but it also comments well on how we raise up and eventually destroy our heroes. Like the children within the Lord of the Flies, we act with a pack mentality for and against our heroes. Placing them upon pedestals that no human can sustain, they inevitably fall. Sadder still, we as fans, should stand with them and help them rise above. After all, we placed them there. We asked them to be our heroes. Yet, once they fall, we kick and spit upon them. We find ourselves asking how we could be so blind to look up to this person. I found myself pained as I watched kids worship this man and the character he played, never once allowing him to grow as a person only to be shocked when he is revealed to be all too human.

Also, as one who follows all manner of pop culture, I saw a bit of myself in the random moments when fans would not allow George Reeves to move beyond the Man of Steel. There is a painful moment within Hollywoodland where Reeves is at a screening of From Here to Eternity. A film that was going to be his breaking from Metropolis and all things Superman. Instead, Reeves must endure the chuckles of careless audience members who can only see him as Superman. With every quote of “can’t Superman just zap the Japanese” or “faster than a speeding PT Boat”, you can feel the hope within Reeves slowly die. I felt a twinge of shame as I saw myself, a fan who would often not allow his childhood heroes to age and evolve. Hollywoodland reminds me that heroes reside within my heart and the actors who portray them are simply people and should be treated as such.

Although a beautiful film, Hollywoodland is not a happy film. Indeed, you will not leave the theater with a feeling of hope. Nor will you leave wanting to keep on the fight for Truth, Justice, and the American way. You will find yourself angry at how the pursuits of money and power work as direct opposites to truth and justice. You will see the folly of raising humans to godlike status. You will see a film that reminds that ambition must be tempered with kindness and compassion. Finally, you will see fantastic performances from actors guided by a director who understands the story they are telling.

I give Hollywoodland 4.5 out of 5 Critical Hits.