HollywoodLand is likely to be a contender for Oscars this coming season. I think that it won't take home any nominations for best picture but quite possibly directing, supporting actor and maybe even supporting actress. The film is well performed, the cast is quite good but they really have to give it their all given that the script is something sub par compared to what it could have been. The potential for this film is endless and it really could have been something but somehow it just misses greatness. They have a terrific mystery and a biography to go on and they do cover both with significant detail and yet the film seems to drag a little bit and just when you think they are offering their take on the death of Reeves they take you in another direction. Certainly this does give the viewer the opportunity to come to their own conclusions but in some ways it also leaves you feeling cheated and confused by the whole thing.
Adrien Brody is really the leading man playing Private Detective Louis Simo. I think that Brody's character is reflective of George Reeves in many areas, trouble with two different women, self obsessed with success, a hero to youngsters (Reeves had millions of children while Simo had his son that looked to him.) They both had struggling careers and both of them sat on the job of a lifetime when it came to Reeves and Superman and Simo and Reeves' death. Brody could act his way into any role and this is no exception. He is terrific, and watchable as Simo, if not sometimes feeling a little underhanded and sleazy but you feel sorry for the guy. Still he's a strong character but I wanted more from him especially in the end. Diane Lane is absolutely stupendous as the wife of an MGM studio head, Toni Mannix. Mannix enters into a long term affair with George Reeves which is basically the most serious relationship Reeves ever had and yet it never furthered his career in any way. It also opens the door to many conspiracy theories about his murder. Lane shows a lot of emotion and does such a terrific job that she is perhaps more deserving than anyone of an Oscar nod this season. And of course the much talked about Ben Affleck plays the irrepressible George Reeves. Now I've only ever seen Reeves in the Superman TV Serials but when I heard Affleck was playing him...I scoffed...I didn't think he could pull it off and I've never been a huge Affleck fan although he has had some decent roles. I was completely wrong. He absolutely embodies the character and brings Reeves to light in a very personal and important way to the story. He brilliantly gives this part his all and as many reviewers has pointed out his own career reflects Reeves in many factors. This could be a turning point for his career or simply a highlight but either way he single handedly makes this film worthwhile. Bravo!! One of my favorite actors Bob Hoskins plays MGM head Eddie Mannix and he could have done so much with this role but sadly he gets very little screen time. Hoskins can command attention but he really isn't given a great part.
Veteran TV director Allen Coulter must be given credit for accurately capturing and immersing us all into the 1950's and giving the film noir feel to the film. He also must be given great credit for the stylish way the time line is handled. With the exception of one or two subtitled dates on the bottom of the screen, everything else simply flips back and forth between Reeves' career and after his death and you never once feel confused by it. He so delicately sets up the characters and distinguishes them so clearly in the two different time periods that notification of time change is not necessary. All this makes for a very strong film but somehow it's just missing something. The film does drag a little long and I don't think enough scenes feature Reeves and his personal life although I realize the film is about his death. Some of the characters are not in depth enough like Hoskins and even Brody's character to some extent. Too much time is spent on establishing clues that aren't vital to the story. And more closure on Brody's character would have been nice. He has realized something about his son and his life by looking at Reeves', a man who seemed to have it all but yet no conclusion comes from it. The film is definitely worth seeing and I'm sure you'll hear about it for awhile and I think some Academy coverage would not be out of the question but it does fall short from greatness. 7/10
Adrien Brody is really the leading man playing Private Detective Louis Simo. I think that Brody's character is reflective of George Reeves in many areas, trouble with two different women, self obsessed with success, a hero to youngsters (Reeves had millions of children while Simo had his son that looked to him.) They both had struggling careers and both of them sat on the job of a lifetime when it came to Reeves and Superman and Simo and Reeves' death. Brody could act his way into any role and this is no exception. He is terrific, and watchable as Simo, if not sometimes feeling a little underhanded and sleazy but you feel sorry for the guy. Still he's a strong character but I wanted more from him especially in the end. Diane Lane is absolutely stupendous as the wife of an MGM studio head, Toni Mannix. Mannix enters into a long term affair with George Reeves which is basically the most serious relationship Reeves ever had and yet it never furthered his career in any way. It also opens the door to many conspiracy theories about his murder. Lane shows a lot of emotion and does such a terrific job that she is perhaps more deserving than anyone of an Oscar nod this season. And of course the much talked about Ben Affleck plays the irrepressible George Reeves. Now I've only ever seen Reeves in the Superman TV Serials but when I heard Affleck was playing him...I scoffed...I didn't think he could pull it off and I've never been a huge Affleck fan although he has had some decent roles. I was completely wrong. He absolutely embodies the character and brings Reeves to light in a very personal and important way to the story. He brilliantly gives this part his all and as many reviewers has pointed out his own career reflects Reeves in many factors. This could be a turning point for his career or simply a highlight but either way he single handedly makes this film worthwhile. Bravo!! One of my favorite actors Bob Hoskins plays MGM head Eddie Mannix and he could have done so much with this role but sadly he gets very little screen time. Hoskins can command attention but he really isn't given a great part.
Veteran TV director Allen Coulter must be given credit for accurately capturing and immersing us all into the 1950's and giving the film noir feel to the film. He also must be given great credit for the stylish way the time line is handled. With the exception of one or two subtitled dates on the bottom of the screen, everything else simply flips back and forth between Reeves' career and after his death and you never once feel confused by it. He so delicately sets up the characters and distinguishes them so clearly in the two different time periods that notification of time change is not necessary. All this makes for a very strong film but somehow it's just missing something. The film does drag a little long and I don't think enough scenes feature Reeves and his personal life although I realize the film is about his death. Some of the characters are not in depth enough like Hoskins and even Brody's character to some extent. Too much time is spent on establishing clues that aren't vital to the story. And more closure on Brody's character would have been nice. He has realized something about his son and his life by looking at Reeves', a man who seemed to have it all but yet no conclusion comes from it. The film is definitely worth seeing and I'm sure you'll hear about it for awhile and I think some Academy coverage would not be out of the question but it does fall short from greatness. 7/10