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Hollywoodland By Harry Forbes Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- When word broke out in 1959 that George Reeves -- who portrayed Superman on the popular television series -- was found dead of a gunshot wound, an apparent suicide, millions of kids across the nation were severely traumatized. If they could have seen "Hollywoodland" (Focus), a dark speculative take on that mysterious death of the actor, played here by Ben Affleck, they'd have been positively apoplectic, not just by the death but by some of the unsavory aspects of his life. We see events through the eyes of Louis Simo (Adrien Brody), a fictional private eye who sets out to determine whether the death was indeed suicide -- or murder, as Reeves' cantankerous elderly mother Helen Bessolo (Lois Smith) insists. One murder theory involves henchmen of Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins), MGM's second-in-command with alleged mob connections, whose wife Toni (Diane Lane), an ex-Ziegfeld Girl, "kept" Reeves in high style, but also withheld her influence on possible advancement for his career. Another possibility involves Reeves' girlfriend, Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney), an opportunistic starlet. Director Allen Coulter's film (written by Paul Bernbaum) may be of interest to fans of the "Superman" series and those intrigued by Hollywood lore, but there are no conclusive answers. Still, movie buffs will appreciate the inclusion of such characters as Rita Hayworth, MGM PR honcho Howard Strickling, columnist Earl Wilson and director Fred Zinnemann and the "Adventures of Superman" TV cast. Affleck, in excellent form here, has put on some weight, and convincingly impersonates the affable Reeves. Bernbaum's script shows how Reeves was pigeonholed by his TV fame, having his part in "From Here to Eternity" severely cut after preview audiences seemed distracted by his presence. There's an especially chilling moment when a young boy with a gun advances toward Reeves (in his Superman garb), and asks if he can shoot him. The gun may only be a toy, but Reeves can't be sure, and he must delicately, in full view of a crowd of youngsters who think he's invincible, talk the boy out of pulling the trigger. It's a pity there are so many anachronistic expletives; the f-word and s-word were not used as commonly in the 1940s and 1950s as they are now. More accurately, profanity (as in taking the Lord's name in vain) was -- for better or worse -- the order of the day. The sleazy ambience, which gives the film a noirish feel (though not so skillfully as, say, "L.A. Confidential") will also be a turnoff to many. There are several re-enactments of Reeves' death, showing us the possible scenarios, but nothing too gruesome. Still, this is definitely not one for the kids -- and, as noted, possibly not for some adults either. The film contains strong sexual themes, nongraphic sexual encounters including adultery, pervasive rough and crude language and profanity, some discreet violence with blood and partial shadowy nudity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or guardian. - - - Forbes is director of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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