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George Reeves was the Superman people remember from early movies, serials and television. Reeves died a mysterious death in 1959, which was classified as a suicide. However, in Paul Bernbaum's script, private detective Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) gets caught up in finding the facts behind Reeves' death and the mystery deepens. George Reeves is portrayed by Ben Affleck who gained weight for the role and resembles Reeves. "Hollywoodland" gets backstage and into the nitty gritty of being a star and the temptations that are there, from girls to drugs to alcohol.

The script is intriguing as Brody's character is the centerpiece. From him, the search for truth goes to Reeves, Reeves mother (Lois Smith), Reeves older girlfriend who is the wife of a studio mogul (Diane Lane), the studio mogul who pulls all strings in Hollywood, Edgar Mannix (Bob Hoskins), Reeves new girlfriend Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney from "Prison Break") and maybe a hint of a male friend, too. Brody also has another case, that of a jealous husband who wants his wife shadowed. Brody needs the money, so takes the case with a lackadaisical attitude that proves costly. In the end, greed is what makes Hollywood tick and the clock pendulum swings to good and bad, back and forth.

The set design and automobiles of the mid-1950's are very good, plus the soundtrack by Marcelo Zarvos, which brings the mood right into the audience. No digital enhancements here, we see what goes for sound effects and special effects when filming Superman plus the famous suit, itself. Alcohol is the preferred drink for adults, which bothers Brody's ex-wife when he visits their son. Sometimes, Dad is drunk.

As with private detectives anywhere, the tendency is to get beaten-up on regular occasions. Such is the case with Brody, and you wonder how he can survive. He is like Superman, who takes it all and comes back for more. Something like a cartoon figure, which is how George Reeves looks at himself. Fame as Superman is there forever, but no one takes him seriously as an actor. Fans think he is invincible and one memorable scene shows what happens when Superman meets a fan with a real gun. In real life, George Reeves was in the cast of Gone With the Wind and wooed Southern belles.

Adrien Brody gives us a brooding private detective, who lives toward the bottom of the feeding chain, but still has an inquisitive nature. Robin Tunney's Leonore is a loud-mouth gal who knows her share of profane words, while Diane Lane's Toni Mannix is ever the lady, even though she likes younger men. Affleck's George Reeves wants the spotlight and when he gets it, finds it comes with a price. The interesting person is Bob Hoskins as Edgar Mannix, who manipulates Hollywood from his office and knows where everyone's weakness is. Here is The Godfather of celluloid-land where everyone wants to be a star and are willing to pay for it.

In the end, we may never know what happened to George Reeves. His death goes in the Cold Case file with other celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe or Natalie Wood. The script allows the audience to view various scenarios and make their own decision. Hollywood is sometimes a one-way trip.

Copyright Marie Asner 2006
Submitted 9/7/06

Looking for a good mystery? Hollywoodland will get you thinking but never really solves anything for the movies sake. That was ok by me though. I would rather have all the information, or at least all that made it into the script, and be able to decide on my own then for a writer or director to create an ending that never actually happened. I may be in a minority with this thought. Many prefer to have closure to their theater experience. If that is you, you might walk away a little unsatisfied and confused. 

Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) is a private detective looking into the mysterious death of George Reeves (Ben Affleck), who played TV's Superman back in the late 50's. There is a long list of suspects from the crazed girlfriend (Robin Tunney) to the jealous lover (Diane Lane). There is also the element of suicide that overshadows all other theories. It is a classic Hollywood whodunit that will never be solved for sure. 

Brody delivers a fabulous performance as always. He has the look and style of '50's Hollywood and balances his characters personal struggles with the task laid out before him. LIkewise, Lane is nod-worthy as Reeve's aging lover who has a hard time dealing with losing her boy toy. She will be in good running for an Oscar if the rest of the years performances are as mediocre as we have seen so far. Affleck as Reeves? Ben may have broken the curse he seems to bring to films these days. He seems to fit the role nicely. After seeing Reeves personal story you might know why. 

That was the another element of the film that I enjoyed the most. It was sort of a look into the world of an actor who never hit it big, regardless of the success of the show. It's a look at Hollywood stereotyping and how roles can sometimes destroy as well as advance ones career. The writers also take a stab at studio heads and the power they had over their employees and the lengths they would got to manipulate those around them. Bob Hoskins plays Eddie Mannix, the husband of Lanes character and one of the big wigs in hollywood during this time. 

This is a decent flick over all. Granted it is nothing like an LA Confidential, yet it is based on fact and sometimes that limits the story being told. As I mentioned, it is very well acted and the facts are presented in a way that allows you to become your own detective for a few hours and come to your won conclusion about what really happened to the man of steal. Rated R for language, some violence and sexual content, it is gritty and adult in its theme and content. The language being the biggest offender here. I give it 3 out of 5. Better than most films that have come out as of late but still no the huge blockbuster that warrants a big screen ticket price. With a look at Hollywoodland, I'm Matt Mungle. 

The Mungles are Podcasting's original husband and wife film critics. Tune in each week as they fill you in on what's new in the movie world with reviews and commentaries you can relate to. It's totally live and unscripted and many times quite opinionated.
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