"Hollywoodland" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Kolbar]

Living in Hollywood can make you famous. Dying in Hollywood can make you a legend.
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MMPO/505219.jpg
"You could've got me something better. But you didn't because you like me in a red suit! But it's not who I am!" - George Reeves


Release Date: September 8, 2006
Studio: Focus Features
Director: Allen Coulter
Starring: Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Molly Parker, Lois Smith, Robin Tunney, Kathleen Robertson, Steve Adams, Jordan Barker, Donald Burda, Larry Cedar, Brad William Henke, Joe Spano, Jeff Teravainen

Plot Summary: Hollywoodland is a uniquely compelling exploration of fame and identity, inspired by one of Hollywood's most infamous real-life mysteries. The film is the feature directorial debut for Allen Coulter (Emmy and DGA Award nominee for his work on The Sopranos and Sex and the City). June 16, 1959. The glamour of Tinseltown permanently fades for actor George Reeves, the heroic Man of Steel on TV's Adventures of Superman, as the actor dies in his Hollywood Hills home. Felled by a single gunshot wound, Reeves (portrayed in Hollywoodland by Academy Award winner Ben Affleck) leaves behind a fiancée - aspiring starlet Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney) - and millions of fans who are shocked by his death. But it is his grieving mother, Helen Bessolo (Lois Smith), who will not let the questionable circumstances surrounding his demise go unaddressed. Helen seeks justice, or at least answers. The Los Angeles Police Department closes the case, but Helen hires - for $50 a day - private detective Louis Simo (Academy Award winner Adrien Brody). Simo soon ascertains that the torrid affair Reeves had with Toni Mannix (Academy Award nominee Diane Lane), the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix (Academy Award nominee Bob Hoskins), might hold the key to the truth. But truth and justice are not so easily found in Hollywood. Simo pursues dangerous and elusive leads in both high and low places and, in trying to turn up the heat, risks getting burned. The detective also uncovers unexpected connections to his own life as the case turns more personal and he learns more about Reeves himself. Behind the icon was a complex man who gave his life to Hollywood in more ways than one.

Visit the official movie site, here (http://www.hollywoodlandmovie.com/).

Comments?

[Kolbar]

No love for George Reeves?

Well, I thought it was allright, a little slow in some parts, and a little too long. I loved the parts where they showed Reeves on the set of "The Adventures of Superman" along with Phyllis Coates and Jack Larson. It could have bee cut at least a half hour shorter though.

I found the movie very interesting though and liked how they showed the three possible ways Reeves died and let the viewer decide what they think happened because in reality, no one really knows what happened.

[PeppeRaskell1]

I'm kinda wondering what the real surviving members of the Adventures of Superman cast will be saying about this movie (I know they'll be getting lots of questions about their late castmate with this movie being out.)

[Michael24]

I'll probably miss it in the theaters, but I'll definitely rent the DVD. I enjoyed watching reruns of the Reeves' Superman series when I was little, and this movie certainly looks interesting. Have always been interested in finding out more about his death and the different theories. Can't wait to see it.

[Russkafin]

A question about the marketing for this film...

There are two shots that are in the trailers and commercials that were edited to remove the Superman "S" (one when Affleck/Reeves is looking at himself in costume in the mirror - the S is removed from his chest, and one when he is walking away from the camera - the S is removed from his cape).

I am assuming this is for legal reasons... did Warner Brothers not allow them to use the S shield in promotion for fear of fans confusing it with Superman Returns or something?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Ben Affleck is larry jojo box office poison.

[Stu]

A question about the marketing for this film...

There are two shots that are in the trailers and commercials that were edited to remove the Superman "S" (one when Affleck/Reeves is looking at himself in costume in the mirror - the S is removed from his chest, and one when he is walking away from the camera - the S is removed from his cape).

I am assuming this is for legal reasons... did Warner Brothers not allow them to use the S shield in promotion for fear of fans confusing it with Superman Returns or something?
The producers were worried about being sued by DC Comics for the majority of the show's production. The film's title was originally supposed to be "Truth, Justice And The American Way" but they were fearful of DC's lawyers.

Since no one around here appears to be showing this, I'll wait for the DVD. It seems like forever since I've seen a new Ben Affleck movie. Shame, he's a good actor.

[Cogliostro]

The producers were worried about being sued by DC Comics for the majority of the show's production. The film's title was originally supposed to be "Truth, Justice And The American Way" but they were fearful of DC's lawyers.

Since no one around here appears to be showing this, I'll wait for the DVD. It seems like forever since I've seen a new Ben Affleck movie. Shame, he's a good actor.

See I would have liked that title (Truth, Justice and the American Way) alot more then Hollywoodland. I have yet to see the movie but you can tell even without seeing it that the movie is about seeking the truth, getting justice and shows how sometimes the american way is to cover up the truth.

I agree that he's a good actor, not great but good.

[Wonderwall]

I agree that he's a good actor, not great but good.

Hes great at playing jerks in movies tho:p

[AdamYJ]

I saw this. It's a rather interesting story of two rather sad, unhappy men.

[DisneyBoy]

That's it? Only one person has seen this movie, and that's the extent of a review we get? :anime:


DISH!!!

[Kolbar]

That's it? Only one person has seen this movie, and that's the extent of a review we get? :anime:


DISH!!!I saw it too. My review was in the second post.

[JLApe]

Not bad. Though I think Brody's detective storyline drags in some parts. His domestic life could have been shorten a bit (and still make the point about his personal relationships). Love the photography of Reeves' scenes. Very 'classy', old Hollywood. Never like Ben Affleck, but he's very good as Geroge Reeves. The cadence of his voice is spot-on.

**** Spoilers from here on ****

The three scenarios presented aren't anything new. The filmmakers said so (on the DVD), and went with authenticity - as much as possible - and did so very well. But I believe they have accepted, like those who have researched the case, that suicide is the most likely to have occurred. For one, that scenario played out much too long. They could have made it the same length as the other two. Second, there is enough ambiguity in the depiction of details and characters to make the first two scenarios (accident or murder) still possible but questionable. Such as shell casing found under the body, no residue on the entry wound, Eddie Mannix's culpability in Reeves' death, etc. So while the evidence is not all-conclusive for suicide, it is harder to prove it isn't either.

Third, it is the last scenario to be shown and is used to conclude the film's story. The similarity between Reeves and Simo is apparent up to that point. Both men were chasing after fame. Simo treated PI work as a means to money and glamor, Reeves similarly in acting. Neither one looked at the best in their work (though by all accounts Reeves did take his 'Superman' role model very seriously, he disliked it all the same). Then Reeves shot himself - so it appeared - because he was so depressed about his situation. (The film did not mention The Adventures of Superman show being renewed prior to his death, only the wrestling gig.) Simo chooses to turn himself around and takes his job seriously, thereby escaping Reeves' 'fate'. By that I don't mean his death, but the elusive chasing after something better than what they do have.

One also has to consider the actor's (Reeves) personal history. His family had a history of suicides (his aunt did it, and he himself tried twice before). Plus, he's terribly depressed (according to his agent). And he was intoxicated during the time of his death. All these combined makes a person very, very likely to attempt suicide, over someone who has either one but not all or none at all.

[rggkjg1]

i really really enjoyed the movie. i was really only interested in the george reeves story and not the detective story, but i really enjoyed them both and felt that the movie gave the reeves and simo stories almost the same amount of screen time.

i was most impressed with every superman moment. i was really surprised and glad to see affleck in the costume WITH the s shield. i wasn't expecting much when i heard that the crew would have to remake the opening sequence for the tv show, but the remake blew me away as well. hearing the actual theme music was another surprise. my favorite part, and possibly the most "strongest" part in the movie has to be the scene where the kid draws a gun on reeves and asks if he can shoot him.

i definately recommend this movie for anyone who is a fan of the adventures of superman tv show. it's also a nice companion dvd with the adventures of superman dvds and the superman film box sets.

[Doctor Nick]

He holds his own in this flick (for a change).