A review by Brooks Rich
I have discussed the musical biopic before and my aversion to the genre as a whole. But today I want to discuss the straight forward biopic, which I still am picky about. I normally don't like a film depicting someone's life from birth to death.I often find them dull or exaggerated to a ridiculous degree. I prefer the biopics that are about how a certain moment in time defined the person of interest. Today's film, Hollywoodland, tells the story of Superman actor George Reeves, delivering a portrait of the man, in flashbacks, from his apparent death by suicide.
Adrien Brody is a private investigator in 1959 Los Angeles. He becomes involved in the investigation of the suicide of Superman actor George Reeves, played brilliantly by Ben Affleck. Trying to make a name for himself through his efforts to answer the questions surrounding Reeves’ death, Brody’s character notices parallels between his own life and Reeves.
I like the way this film tells its story. Most films would just show Reeves from when he played Superman to his death. But in framing it around the investigation, the story becomes much more mysterious. No one is sure what really happened the night Reeves died and the film is aware of this, offering only speculation instead of answers – the three most common theories for Reeves’ death. Most biopics would try to hint at a particular one, but Hollywoodland makes no attempt to offer any answers, just presenting us with the facts.
The casting is strong. This might actually be Affleck's best performance. He is tremendous as Reeves, an actor who was seen as almost as untouchable as his television counterpart. Affleck brings a humanity to Reeves and shows him as an actor struggling to escape the shadow of his most famous role. Brody is terrific as the private investigator and plays it like a gritty film noir character. Rounding out the main cast is Diane Lane as a woman Reeves was having an affair with. Lane is always great and it's no different here as she plays the femme fatale – a human embodiment of the Hollywood glamour Reeves lives in.
I am sad this film has been relegated to the back burner of film history. I thought it was a solid mystery when it came out and I still think it holds up. It is available to rent on most platforms and can be seen for free with a Starz subscription.
I have discussed the musical biopic before and my aversion to the genre as a whole. But today I want to discuss the straight forward biopic, which I still am picky about. I normally don't like a film depicting someone's life from birth to death.I often find them dull or exaggerated to a ridiculous degree. I prefer the biopics that are about how a certain moment in time defined the person of interest. Today's film, Hollywoodland, tells the story of Superman actor George Reeves, delivering a portrait of the man, in flashbacks, from his apparent death by suicide.
Adrien Brody is a private investigator in 1959 Los Angeles. He becomes involved in the investigation of the suicide of Superman actor George Reeves, played brilliantly by Ben Affleck. Trying to make a name for himself through his efforts to answer the questions surrounding Reeves’ death, Brody’s character notices parallels between his own life and Reeves.
I like the way this film tells its story. Most films would just show Reeves from when he played Superman to his death. But in framing it around the investigation, the story becomes much more mysterious. No one is sure what really happened the night Reeves died and the film is aware of this, offering only speculation instead of answers – the three most common theories for Reeves’ death. Most biopics would try to hint at a particular one, but Hollywoodland makes no attempt to offer any answers, just presenting us with the facts.
The casting is strong. This might actually be Affleck's best performance. He is tremendous as Reeves, an actor who was seen as almost as untouchable as his television counterpart. Affleck brings a humanity to Reeves and shows him as an actor struggling to escape the shadow of his most famous role. Brody is terrific as the private investigator and plays it like a gritty film noir character. Rounding out the main cast is Diane Lane as a woman Reeves was having an affair with. Lane is always great and it's no different here as she plays the femme fatale – a human embodiment of the Hollywood glamour Reeves lives in.
I am sad this film has been relegated to the back burner of film history. I thought it was a solid mystery when it came out and I still think it holds up. It is available to rent on most platforms and can be seen for free with a Starz subscription.
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