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Hollywoodland (2006) DVD Review
Hollywoodland (2006) DVD Credits:
Hollywoodland (2006) Directed by:
Allen Coulter
Hollywoodland (2006) Written by:
Paul Bernbaum, Howard Korder
Hollywoodland (2006) Cast:
Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, Kathleen Robertson, Steve Adams, Jordan Barker, Donald Burda, Larry Cedar, Brad William Henke, Lois Smith, Joe Spano, Jeff Teravainen, Robin Tunney
Hollywoodland (2006) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Hollywoodland (2006) DVD Release Date:
6th February 2007
Our Rating: Extras Rating:

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Hollywoodland (2006) Synopsis:

A uniquely compelling exploration of fame and identity. The drama, inspired by one of Hollywood's most infamous real-life mysteries, follows a 1950s private detective (Academy Award winner Adrien Brody) who, investigating the mysterious death of "Superman" star George Reeves (Academy Award winner Ben Affleck), uncovers unexpected connections to his own life as the case turns ever more personal. The torrid affair Reeves had with the wife (Academy Award nominee Diane Lane) of a studio executive (Academy Award nominee Bob Hoskins) might hold the key to the truth.

Hollywoodland (2006) DVD Review:

Technically speaking, Hollywoodland seems to be a perfect period film in every way. While investigating one of many unsolved mysteries of Hollywood, the film manages to capture the very essence of costumes, art decorations, props and every other technical aspect of creating a period film. What is even more impressive is that it takes place during two different times in Hollywood, showing the changes in the city after even a short amount of time. Unfortunately the story is a bit too dull to compete with the technical side which is so fabulous. Moments in the film are fantastic, but I found myself wishing that the plot would not take so long to get from A to B. Fantastic scenes such as the one where a boy pulls a gun on George Reeves when he was making one of his many appearances are too few and too far apart to keep the film truly compelling as a thriller.

Based on the true story of one of Hollywood’s biggest unsolved mysteries, Hollywoodland tells the tale of the possible scenarios behind the death of George Reeves (Ben Affleck), star of TV’s popular Adventures of Superman. Years later a private investigator, Louis Simo (Adrian Brody), is hired to try and find the truth behind the case which was proclaimed as suicide. The more Simo investigates, the more reason he has to believe that the death of Superman might not have been a suicide. Although Simo is digging for the answers to the death of Reeves, Hollywoodland spends much more time on the life of the actor who had a difficult time in Hollywood. Reeves tried to be a serious actor, but he was never seen as anything but the famous superhero once the television program became a hit. Even when he was given the chance to act in serious films, his role was often cut down or removed due to the reactions he caused when people recognized him as Superman.

The performances in Hollywoodland are all fantastic, but Ben Affleck certainly seems made for this role. He has the charm and charisma to match the reputation of Reeves and he goes through great lengths to make certain that he weighs enough to look like Reeves as well. It is a momentous and breakthrough role for Affleck, and it seems unfortunate that the film could not have been better to match his performance. Diane Lane also gives a riveting performance as a long time lover of Reeves and a suspect in his death. Adrian Brody seems to be having a good time in the sleazy role of Simo and Bob Hoskins gets some of his best snarls in years through his supporting performance.

The DVD has a great many featurettes about the time period, including a behind-the- scenes featurette looking at the way they created the look of Old Hollywood. There is also a featurette showing the difference between Hollywood then and now. There are some deleted scenes, but none of them are extremely interesting. The best feature, however, is the director commentary with Allen coulter, who is obvious very knowledgeable about the history of Hollywood.

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Hollywoodland (2006) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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