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Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, Lois Smith ... see more see more... , Robin Tunney , Larry Cedar , Jeffrey DeMunn , Caroline Dhavernas , Brad William Henke , Dash Mihok , Molly Parker , Kathleen Robertson , Joe Spano , Gareth Williams , Zach Mills , Kevin Hare , Steve Adams , David Bolt , Richard Fancy , Bill Lake , Jack Newman , Michael Rhoades , Eric Weinthal , Eric Fink , Dendrie Allyn Taylor , Ted Atherton , Phillip Mackenzie , Neil Crone , Seamus Dever , Cotton Mather , Brendan Wall , Joan Gregson , Diego Fuentes , David J. MacNeil , Lorry Ayers , Jason Spevack , Todd Grinnell , Peter James Haworth , Robert Kennedy , Natalie Krill , Eric Kolder , Jon Vladimir Cubrt , Veronica Watt , Aymui Iizuka , Jeff Teravainen , Joseph Adam , Sven Van De Ven , Gray Powell , Tim Campbell , Kerin McCue , Jeff Cowan , Tim Dorsch , Alexander Drogemuller , Jody Jaress , Murray Oliver , Walter Rinaldi , Terry Barna , Erin Gooderham , Cameron Mitchell Jr. , Steve Brandes , Donald Burda , Charlie Lea

The mysterious and unexpected death of an iconic Hollywood star may be just the tip of an iceberg of scandal in this showbiz drama based on a true story. George Reeves (played by Ben Affleck) was a jo... read more read more...urneyman actor who had played a small role in Gone With the Wind and appeared onscreen with the likes of James Cagney, Rita Hayworth, and Marlene Dietrich, but his career was not exactly booming when he was cast as comic-book hero Superman in a 1951 B-movie, Superman and the Mole Men. A year later, the producers of the movie launched a syndicated Superman television series with Reeves returning as "The Man of Steel." The show became a major hit, and Reeves was a star at last. However, on June 16, 1959, to the shock of many, Reeves was found dead of a gunshot wound. Police soon declared Reeves' death a suicide and closed the case, but his mother (Lois Smith) refused to believe her son took his own life, and hired Louis Simo (Adrien Brody), a private detective, to find out the truth about her son's passing. Simo found that many Hollywood insiders did not care to cooperate as he researched the Reeves case, but his digging uncovered plenty of evidence suggesting the actor did not take his own life, and he also revealed one of Reeves' deepest secrets -- while he was engaged to marry a pretty young starlet, Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney), Reeves was also carrying on an affair with the beautiful Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), the wife of Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins), a powerful and ill-tempered executive at MGM. While the producers of Hollywoodland based their story on factual accounts of the investigation into the death of George Reeves, they were denied permission to use the Superman logo and the familiar introduction to the Adventures of Superman television show by the respective copyright holders. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

46% liked it

75,669 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

179 critics

R, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Allen Coulter

Release Date: September 8, 2006

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DVD Release Date: February 6, 2007

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Flixster Reviews (3,417)

  • cosmo313
    May 11, 2012
    cosmo313
    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... read more 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.
  • moonrivers
    May 1, 2012
    moonrivers
    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 wa... read morents 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.
  • garyX
    May 11, 2011
    garyX
    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... read more 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.
  • ythelastman89
    April 7, 2011
    ythelastman89
    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... read more 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.
  • imrealgod
    December 31, 2010
    imrealgod
    Prior to watching this movie, I didn't know anything about who George Reeves was. The name was totally new for me. Fortunately, this ignorance turned out to be a bliss for me. Regarding the movie, (before watching it) I only knew that it's based on true events and related to crim... read moree genre. That compelled me to go for it.

    The movie depicts the death of George Reeves, who gained name & fame through the Superman TV series, playing the title role, and the mystery surrounding it. Adrien Brody plays detective Louis Simo who investigates it, among other things. The movie is a bit slow, but it was worth it for me. I'd already predicted the ending (despite of not knowing a bit about George Reeves). Generally, I don't like movies with predictable ending, but this was exceptionally great. The only thing for which I didn't care was what happens to Louis Simo's relationships in his personal life. I was interested when he played detective, but his interactions with his son & ex-wife kinda bored me. Adrien Brody was incredible (I didn't like him in 'The Pianist') as almost fictionalized character Louis Simo. Ben Affleck was a bit unconvincing. Other actors performed their part well.

    I don't know if those who already know about George Reeves would like this or not, but I liked it despite knowing the ending. Recommended for sure if you like this type of movies ('Memories Of Murder' often popped up while I was watching this flick).
  • MeetMeinMontauk
    December 7, 2010
    MeetMeinMontauk
    Uhhhh, well. Sometimes I think I run out things to say on mediocre films. The acting was good. I very much appreciated Affleck's attempt at the 40s actor speak. You know that standard "American" dialect all actors were trained to have. I'll give him an A on that one. I think my b... read moreiggest hitch was the execution of the story. One of those things were lots of little things add up to a lot. Eh.
  • clintervin
    November 8, 2010
    clintervin
    Seen through the eyes of down and out private eye Louis Simo (Adrien Brody), Hollywoodland is a poignant, tragic story that tugs at the heart of the viewer though most characters emerge as unsympathetic. It's the sordid tale of sex, resentment, personal and professional tragedy, ... read moreand ultimately suicide. (or was it murder?) Hollywoodland is a mystery with no easy answers, but the story illuminates Hollywood's darker side. It explores the contrast and dissimilarity between actors' personal lives and screen personas. Because of this, the choice of Ben Affleck to play the role of 50s TV superman George Reeves is so appropriate. Affleck's prior roles and his very public relationship with the press make him an obvious choice for the role, which he pulls off brilliantly. You could pose the question of either Affleck or Reeves: paparazzi victim or mediocre opportunist? As for the rest of the cast, Brody plays a complex character convincingly and Diane Lane's Toni Mannix is sexy, conniving, and desperate. This movie has perfect casting.

    Director Allen Coulter nails the style and aura of seedy 1950s Hollywood as well. Even the cinematography is outstanding; LA of the 50s is recreated. This is neither a documentary nor biopic, so don't get distracted by the details. It is a recreation of one incident in the context of a different era, the noir truth behind the sunny Hollywood illusion.
  • sanjurosamurai
    August 18, 2010
    sanjurosamurai
    inconsistent. the parts featuring affleck detailing george reeves story were pretty uniformly solid, but the adrien brody sub plot went from moments of entertainment to moments of uncomfortabiltiy. overall a solid film.
  • fb619846742
    September 30, 2009
    fb619846742
    A well-plotted, expertly acted film concerning the life and mysterious death of 1950's TV actor George Reeves ("Superman"). It's nothing groundbreaking or anything that hasn't been done already, but this is a solid entry into the crime/drama field that succeeds in large part due ... read moreto great acting from its stars. Affleck, who didn't get a solid acting job for nearly three years after this film, is perfect for the role of an alcoholic, depressed man who couldn't get out of the shadow of "The Man of Steel". What I liked most about the movie is that it doesn't get pretentious, which was my main fear. It does bog down at times, and there are some problems I had with how the overall story was told (why didn't Eddie Mannix, who, is so well-connected with the mob apparently, have ANYONE watching his wife during her long-time affair with Reeves?!), but, this is an overall impressive drama.
  • SirPant
    September 30, 2009
    SirPant
    Great film with some great performances. I really enjoyed it but the one thing that annoyed me, and this is more of a pet hate, was the fact that the whole film was very accurate in depicting exactly what happened, yet the main character is fictitious! It actually works quite wel... read morel but it still gets on my nerves. Still, Brody, Hoskins, Lane and Affleck (yes, Affleck) are very good! I can't believe that was a fake nose!

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Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris
September 20, 2006
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Take my word for it: Hollywoodland is well worth seeing. Full Review

David Edelstein
September 14, 2006
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Reeves had an easy but peppy presence that was very likable, and Affleck's moroseness doesn't do him justice. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
September 10, 2006
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

... even though parts of the picture don't quite hold together, in the end, it sticks with you. Full Review

Claudia Puig
September 8, 2006
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Hollywoodland explores an intriguing bit of Hollywood history, and through the strength of its performances keeps us engaged and entertained. Full Review

Peter Travers
September 8, 2006
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

In his generous spirit toward a forgotten icon, Affleck turns the death-obsessed Hollywoodland into, of all things, a film about resurrection.

James Berardinelli
September 8, 2006
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

The pacing is slow and deliberate, but the story never ceases to intrigue. Full Review

Steven Rea
September 8, 2006
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

With a more restrained, subtler actor, Hollywoodland could have been what it aspires to be: a study of twin trajectories (Reeves and Simo) caught in the spotlights of Tinseltown, where dreams crash he...

Mick LaSalle
September 8, 2006
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The film, actually, is a little like Reeves himself: It starts promisingly and trails off into indistinctness and mystery. Full Review

Susan Walker
September 8, 2006
Susan Walker, Toronto Star

The interplay between hard facts and the dreams that are the currency of movie actors, agents and producers that gives Hollywoodland both its glitter and its grit. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
September 8, 2006
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

It's almost a good movie. Full Review

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Hollywoodland Trivia

  • I won an oscar for my role in the Pianist, I battled Kong, I put on the Jacket, now im off to hollywoodland   Answer »
  • This actor is now in HOLLYWOODLAND, but he was looking for his PAYCHECK with his JERSEY GIRL, but he found out he can be as powerful as DAREDEVIL with his own FORCES OF NATURE. Who is he?  Answer »
  • The real life story of the death of Superman  Answer »
  • Who played George Reeves in the film, Hollywoodland?  Answer »
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