Hollywoodland, a film noir-esque trip into the story and ruminations behind the murder of television’s original Superman George Reeves. What can we say? We loved it. We did. With excellent performances that we’ve come to expect from the likes of Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, and Adrien Brody, this film kept us riveted and attentive all the way through its two converging storylines. Of course it only makes sense that a story about a murder that fascinated the nation should have the same effect.
Louis Simo (Brody) is a down-on-his-luck private detective haunted by his inability to solve the case of George Reeves’ death. One storyline has us following George Reeves (Ben Affleck) as he lived and breathed his Hollywood career as every child’s idol, Superman. Often unsatisfied with such a sugary role, George bounces back and forth between contentment and despair over such an “unprofessional” role such as the Man of Steel. We watch as he and his agent Howard Strickling (Joe Spano) try to find gigs outside of his Superman series, only to have each effort sabotaged by his better-known work. Even as George suffers, he finds comfort in the warm and ever-so-sexy arms of Toni Mannix (Lane), the wife of womanizer Eddie Mannix (Hoskins), the Metro Goldwyn Myer Vice President.
His career, having begun with a role in Gone with the Wind, seems to be on a permanent hiatus until he lands the role of Clark Kent. Through his ups and downs, he finds that Toni is always there to supply him with money and dote upon him endlessly (including a house). Despite his seemingly Hollywood typical success, he still craves more and leaves Los Angeles to become a director in New York, where he meets his fiancée Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney). His newfound relationship with Leonore and his established independence from Toni puts him on the dark side of Eddie. George also finds himself at odds with his fiancée whom has questionable motives and feelings for our hero. On top of all this, it would seem George is going through a dry spell in his career and has hit a spot of depression because of it. These three factors coincide to produce a wonderful whodunit crime drama. Has the Man of Steel committed suicide or is foul play afoot? And it seems Louis Simo is the only one who truly cares.
This is where the second storyline comes in: Louis Simo on the case. While Louis is skeptical of the LAPD’s ineffective efforts, he has too much going on at home and in his business life to truly devote all of his time to a case that seems unfruitful financially. As Louis Simo, Adrien Brody paints a beautiful picture of a conflicted father alienated from the ones he loves. Brody’s performance is terrific and perhaps it’s his portrayal of a man too small for his britches that gives the movies its edge. Meanwhile, Hoskins resumes a character he’s played so very well in past films as the nothing-but-business executive willing to play dirty at any cost. Hoskins’ role is relatively minor but he gives himself over to the character all the same.
This is a change of situation for Ben Affleck, but not his acting style. He still upholds the overly confident bravado despite the fact that he’s portraying a character seemingly stripped of that particular attribute. It’s for this reason that I can’t tell whether to reprimand Mr. Affleck for his performance or applaud him for his creative vision. He plays the role of a man typecast into obscurity very well (perhaps due to personal experience?), and his battle with financial insecurity is an interesting one to watch throughout the film. Finally, we have Diane Lane. A temptress in every movie she plays (including a streak of infidelity), she lights up the screen as George Reeves’ sumptuous benefactor. Diane Lane has the acting chops and she fills her role accordingly. Her ability to take her character from grand displays of confidence to ones of desperate seeking of affection gives Toni Mannix depth and credibility throughout the story.
Sparkling performances from the film’s main stars keep Hollywoodland watchable. The directorial debut of Allen Coulter is an encouraging one and makes this reviewer anxious to what he produces next. If you like the gritty crime dramas like L.A. Confidential, then enjoy Hollywoodland.
"Hollywoodland" opens September 8, 2006 and is rated R. Crime, Drama. Directed by Allen Coulter. Written by Paul Bernbaum. Starring Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Caroline Dhavernas, Diane Lane, Kathleen Robertson, Robin Tunney.
