Synopsis: Based on the true story of Hollywood’s most notorious unsolved mystery, Hollywoodland is a tale of glamour, scandal, and corruption in 1950s Los Angeles. When George Reeves (Ben Affleck), star of TV’s Adventures Of Superman, is found dead in his home, millions of fans are shocked by the circumstances of his death. The police and studio bosses want the case closed as a suicide, but rumors linger. Louis Simo (Adrien Brody), a private investigator, picks up the trail and begins to piece together the actor’s last, tension-filled days. Who pulled the trigger? Was it the seductive yet scheming fiancée, the spurned lover (Diane Lane), the enraged husband (Bob Hoskins), or was it Reeves himself?
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Hollywoodland 8.25

Few know the story behind the original Superman, George Reeves. In fact, quite a few probably don’t know that there was another, very popular, Superman before the big-screen wonderment that was Christopher Reeve.

And fewer people know that George Reeves died under mysterious, if not suspicious, circumstances!

‘Hollywoodland’ takes us head first into this engrossing mystery, providing a perfect balance between real-time storytelling and flashback elements that unveil the events that lead to Reeves’ success and subsequent demise.

While it does embellish the story in bits and parts, the film manages to create a sympathetic version of a man trapped in the role of a super man, a role he never really wanted. It’s key strength is that George Reeves’ sadness is palpable and transcends Ben Affleck’s middling performance.

In general, the cast is quite excellent. Diane Lane (as George Reeves’ sugar-mommy) is simply terrific, Adrian Brody (as the detective trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle) is brilliant, and all the others fill their characters’ shoes skillfully.

Ben Affleck is the only real exception. For every great performance that he turns in, there are one or two that find Affleck hamming it up or going at it half-heartedly. Here, he seems as reticent to inhabit the role as Reeves was of his own character. It’s truly unfortunate, as this could have been a tour-de-force role.

What’s great about this film is that it’s not just for comic book, superhero, or even Superman fans. Ultimately, it has quite the emotional resonance. AND it’s also backed by an unforgettable tale (even if the filmmakers were limited in their storytelling and marketing by Superman’s copyright holders)

As far as I’m concerned, ‘Hollywoodland’ is a seriously under-rated and overlooked gem, and it would be perfect for most cinema lovers. It’s a solid, well-made piece about what’s under the surface in Hollywood and probably would double-bill effectively with ‘L.A. Confidential’.