Language: English
Cast: Adrien Brody (Louis Simo), Diane Lane (Toni Mannix), Ben Affleck (George Reeves), Bob Hoskins (Edgar Mannix)
Producer: Glenn Williamson
Director: Allen Coulter
Writing credits: Paul Bernbaum
Release Date: September 8, 2006
Production House: Focus Features
Running Time: 126 minutes
Rating: R

Review

Hollywoodland is the fictionalized biography of the life and death of star of Superman’s television version – George Reeves, this tales weaves in three separate storylines into one watch-able 2 hour film. Sexy new dad Ben Affleck packs on the pounds as a failing star further in the film. Affleck who plays the George Reeves – a mediocre actor in a land of plenty. In hopes of a break he hooks up with older woman and Hollywood wife, Toni Mannix played by the graceful Diane Lane (remembered among other things as the sexy faithless wife in Unfaithful opposite Richard Gere). A media exec.’s wife, Lane is impressive and, the power couple lord over tinsel town with little regard for morality and convention.

As fame continues to evade Reeves his desperation is wonderfully portrayed by Affleck. After his death, rules to be a suicide but fictionalized to be maybe a murder in the film, the movie focuses on Private Eye Louis Simo, played by Oscar award winning Adrian Brody. Brody though does not live up to expectations giving a rather anemic performance as the detective who searches for meaning in his life even as he tries to solve the Reeves puzzle.

The movie proves the adage that in order to be truly famous a struggling artist, even if he is an actor, needs to die before his life is given the publicity he craves throughout life. George Reeves may not be immortalized in his work but he will definitely be remembered in this film with Affleck leading a talented cast. A memorable film, about the desperation of a failing actor in glittering Hollywood, indeed.