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| Movie Review |
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Hollywoodland
- In theaters September 8th 2006
- Rated R for language, some violence and sexual
content
- RunTime: 126 min
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Website
- Matt's rating - 3 out of 5
- Cindy's rating - 3.5 out of 5
Interview clips with director Allen Coulter
Matt's Review
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.
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Mungleshow Productions
Matt Mungle
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