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More than a movie star murder mystery, Hollywoodland takes it slow in order to reveal the intriguing details of the rise and fall of superstar fame.
All Critics (181) | Top Critics (44) | Fresh (123) | Rotten (58) | DVD (10)
It's worth seeing for Affleck alone, deftly communicating the distance between the put-on cardboard debonairness of this hunk-about-town and the gnawing uncertainties beneath his Superman outfit. Nov 23, 2006 | Full Review…
It's worth seeing for Affleck alone, deftly communicating the distance between the put-on cardboard debonairness of this hunk-about-town and the gnawing uncertainties beneath his Superman outfit.
Trevor Johnston
Take my word for it: Hollywoodland is well worth seeing. Sep 20, 2006
Take my word for it: Hollywoodland is well worth seeing.
Andrew Sarris
Reeves had an easy but peppy presence that was very likable, and Affleck's moroseness doesn't do him justice. Sep 14, 2006 | Full Review…
Reeves had an easy but peppy presence that was very likable, and Affleck's moroseness doesn't do him justice.
David Edelstein
... even though parts of the picture don't quite hold together, in the end, it sticks with you. Sep 10, 2006
... even though parts of the picture don't quite hold together, in the end, it sticks with you.
Stephanie Zacharek
In this bland, ultimately dull reimagining, the question of who killed Superman turns out to be less of a mystery than a plodding attempt at what has been done so much better before. Sep 8, 2006 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
In this bland, ultimately dull reimagining, the question of who killed Superman turns out to be less of a mystery than a plodding attempt at what has been done so much better before.
Connie Ogle
Hollywoodland explores an intriguing bit of Hollywood history, and through the strength of its performances keeps us engaged and entertained. Sep 8, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4
Hollywoodland explores an intriguing bit of Hollywood history, and through the strength of its performances keeps us engaged and entertained.
Claudia Puig
Outside of the novelty of seeing Ben Affleck assaying a dramatic role, there isn't much in Hollywoodland to keep us hooked. Aug 16, 2010 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Outside of the novelty of seeing Ben Affleck assaying a dramatic role, there isn't much in Hollywoodland to keep us hooked.
Jay Antani
Starts with artful delusions before dribbling into nothingness Aug 30, 2009 | Full Review…
Starts with artful delusions before dribbling into nothingness
Fernando F. Croce
Despite a stellar cast, Coulter and screenwriter Paul Bernbaum can’t decide whether to plumb the depths of 'noir' or tug at the heartstrings of failed ambition. Jul 23, 2009 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…
Despite a stellar cast, Coulter and screenwriter Paul Bernbaum can’t decide whether to plumb the depths of 'noir' or tug at the heartstrings of failed ambition.
S. James Wegg
Like Ben from Bennifer, George Reeves aspired to be a Great Actor, but was weighed down by audience expectations. Affleck does a terrific job with this role. Dec 10, 2007 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…
Like Ben from Bennifer, George Reeves aspired to be a Great Actor, but was weighed down by audience expectations. Affleck does a terrific job with this role.
Karina Montgomery
Strong ensemble performances, tight direction, and a stand out from Affleck make this an excellent revisiting of an old Hollywood case... Sep 19, 2007 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Strong ensemble performances, tight direction, and a stand out from Affleck make this an excellent revisiting of an old Hollywood case...
Felix Vasquez Jr.
every bit as ambitious, if never as flawed, as the characters it portrays. Jun 19, 2007 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
every bit as ambitious, if never as flawed, as the characters it portrays.
Anton Bitel
This is a slick period piece with some great production values that concerns the final days and mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of actor George Reeves, the original Superman before Christopher took over the role for the films. It looks at Reeves, but mostly follows the efforts of a private eye determined to figure out the truth behind what really happened and why. The concept and set up are great, but the results are unfulfilling. This one is really trying to swing for the fences and place itself amonsgt the ranks of Chinatown (possibly) or L.A. Confidential. It's a noble try, but it doesn't quite make it. The performances are actually pretty decent, especially from Affleck and Brody, but the story is meandering, plodding, and not as gripping as it needed to be. It's a bit of a bore, and doesn't really provide the insight I was hoping it might. I dug the technical side of things, and there are some good sequences, but ultimately this is just an unfocused bore.
Super Reviewer
A detective investigating the suicide death of a famous TV actor is the entry point for this informed discussion about some of the effects of our society's fixation on celebrity. Brody's great as a smart detective who's not famous for anything, totally unaware how desperately wants to be, while Affleck's spot-on as George Reeves, who was famous, only not the way he wanted to be and consequently unappreciative of what fame he had. I learned many things about one of my childhood heroes I hadn't known before ... and a little about myself too.
Hollywoodland is a fictionalisation of the circumstances surrounding the death of George Reeves whose first acting role was in the legendary Gone With The Wind but found fame as the TV incarnation of Superman. Aping the Noiresque feel of 40s and 50s detective movies, Adrien Brody is excellent as the down at heel, ambulance chasing private eye who is more interested in self aggrandizement than justice, as is Ben Affleck who puts in a fine performance as the charming rogue who feels he is better than the lot in life he has been handed. Sensitively directed with a nice sense of period, this is not a lurid true crime story, more a character study with an intelligently plotted investigative spin and it works really well. Those expecting a slam-bang finale may be disappointed but it has a poignancy that rounded off the story perfectly for me. Not in the same league as L.A. Confidential but head and shoulders above the likes of The Black Dahlia.
The only reason Hollywood isn't considered a modern classic is because it was Ben Affleck's follow up to Gigli. This has an amazing sense of style and storytelling ability. I like the idea of having a plot revolve around the three main theories around George Reeve's death and not just a gradual progression like in most detective stories. Adrien Brody's surprisingly dead on likeness to a film noir detective is what really makes the movie though. Without his dynamite performance and anchor to the mystery, no one would care what happened to Superman.
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