Hollywoodland

Hollywoodland recounts the mysterious demise of actor George Reeves, television's first Superman. In June of 1959, millions of children were devastated when the fading star was found shot in the head. Labelled a suicide by the disinterested L.A.P.D., Reeves' grieving and suspicious mother hires private detective Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) to find answers.

Among the suspects are Reeves' fiancée, aspiring starlet Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney); Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), with whom Reeves had had a lengthy and torrid affair; and Toni's husband Eddie (Bob Hoskins), an MGM executive with reputed Mob ties.

The droopy-eyed Brody is the star of the film, but the only part of him that leaps out is his proboscis, while the always under-rated Hoskins is suitably mole-like. Lane is magnificent as the manipulative older woman, completely dissolving into her role of sexy seductress. Her fatal atrraction to Reeves and their subsequent relationship is not unlike that of Norma Desmond and Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard.

But the most shocking thing in the entire movie is Ben Affleck who, as Reeves, has learned to display more than one emotion. His portrayal of the directionless star used by those around him is both suave and sympathetic.

Writer Peter Bernbaum has created an engrossing character study, and peppered his script with references to old Hollywood. Though it focuses a little too much on Simo’s personal life, the story is told in flashbacks as he digs into the sordid private life of Reeves. (It is interesting to note that Reeves reluctantly and regretfully accepted the role of the Man of Steel, but longed for big-screen stardom.)

Director Allen Coulter, in his first theatrical feature, has created an intriguing and moody film, elegantly paced and full of clever cuts.

The period set design is superb, with every room enveloped in a haze of blue cigarette smoke, while the tones of a muted trumpet add to the melancholia.

A cynical look at Tinseltown and the price of fame, Hollywoodland is a haunting, satisfying, and memorable film. Rating: 7 out of 10.