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Directed By
Allen Coulter, Allen Coulter
Written By:
Paul Bernbaum
Cast:
Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Kathleen Robertson, Steve Adams, Larry Cedar, Brad William Henke, Lois Smith, Joe Spano, Robin Tunney, Gareth Williams, Jordan Barker, Donald Burda, Jeff Teravainen
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Hollywoodland (2006)
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Movie Review by Seth C
September 13th, 2006
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I can't tell you how shocked I was that I enjoyed this film as much as I did. With everything it does - the acting, directing, score, etc. - "Hollywoodland" hits the right notes in making the film to be one of the best films of 2006!
From the opening credits, I was hooked on the film that investigates the death of George Reeves. I had seen specials on the supposed suicide of Reeves, whether it was through an A&E 'Biography' type show or an 'Unsolved Mysteries' segment, I wasn't a complete foreigner to the possible cover-up of a murder when it came to the original 'Superman.' However, even though I was intruged by the storyline the film would tell, I had certain reservations because it was a period piece of early Hollywood. Now if you know me, you'll know I'm not a fan of period pieces. However the look director Allen Coulter gave 1950's Los Angles felt so familiar and comfortable that I would have been content to spend the rest of my life within the picture.
The only real flaw I see with the film would be the fact that we see the three possible murder/suicide scenarios throughout the film. I only say this is a flaw because I can't help but feel for the family members of some of the real-life characters such as Leonore Lemmon and Eddie Mannix, who are speculated in the film as either murdered Reeves or knowing something about the murder of Reeves. Of course, this is nothing new because in real life they were speculated as well, however I feel the film's damage may come when there are actually scenes that show what may have happen between these characters, especailly Lemmon, and Reeves the night he died.
Of course, the film doesn't say that Reeves was killed or not. It doesn't say Lemmons, Mannix or anyone else was involved. It just offers up some facts and some strange coincidences that just so happened to have happen around this time in Reeves life.
Actually, the three scenes I mentioned of what possible happened the night Reeves died shows the filmmaker's strengths at crafting such a pitch-perfect film. When you combine award-worthy performances from stars Adrien Brody, Diane Lane and, yes, Ben Affleck, you get a film is so shockingly well-done and great, that I feel a second view is entitled to ensure that I didn't just imagine it's greatness.
All in all, though, the one thing "Hollywoodland" does prove to me no matter what, is that with films like it, "World Trade Center," "United 93," and "Unknown White Male" (just to name a few), 2006 is a year of great filmmaking.
And to think, it's only September.
- SCF
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