Jimmy Hollywood

There is so much content on this, it is just a shame such few people have seen it. It is brilliant, funny, sometimes sad and deep, but overall a story full of quotations. Joe Pesci is even greater than the usual, never mind the long blond hair. There is an astonishingly funny performance given by Christian Slater, to me his most impressive ever. Search for it everywhere you can and see for yourself.

Let me start by saying I was born in Hollywood, California and I have lived in Los Angeles all of my life thus far. In my childhood I would watch movies and hear about "Hollywood" in all its magic and glory and wonder, are we thinking about the same Hollywood? Are they SURE its the one I live in? Hollywood has always been home to me, but a home with a lot of putrescence and perversion. Yet in all its filth, and believe me it is FILTHY, I still love it...I love the movies and I believe that Hollywood was once magical, was once a place like no other. And sometimes if you block out the bothersome aspects of Hollywood, it still is. Jimmy Alto's and William's idealism in trying to make a difference in a city they love is something I immediately related to and deeply appreciated.

I love Christian Slater as William; he is such a strange but sweet character, so pleasantly lost, and Slater's portrayal is delightful.

For anyone who loves Hollywood, and movies in general, this film is a must.

If you have ever lived in LA, you may have started to wonder what ever happened to the Hollywood of glamour, romance and dreams. This movie takes on that question, and with a dynamite duo of Joe Pesci and Victoria Abril doing the honors (Christian Slater is there too, but his part is that of a spaced-out guy, so he does not have too much to add). Its funny, visually interesting, the plot moves along at a good clip, and it has lots of nice small touches. I definitely think it is worth your while, if you have ever lived in LA, or visited Hollywood, or had that sinking feeling of driving through the intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Victoria Abril is terrific and Joe Pesci is relentless, and hilarious with his blond hair.

The film is now 16 years old; perhaps writing a review isn't important. Yet, because of the sincerity of Pesci's character, and the development of a purpose for his life, and his willingness to abide Christian Slater's "slow" character, we gain appreciation for Mr. Pesci personally. He does not falter in his faithfulness to his lady-friend, even though a younger Hawaiian lady comes his way and they get "liquored up" together. Anyone who has had items stolen and yet received no favorable police-work outcome will agree with the character's frustration over theft of the car stereo and decision to make public the facts of local crime. All the sideshow techniques by "Jerico" as they escalate demonstrates the insatiable progressive desire of the public for increase in excitement over just about anything. Pesci understood Hollywood, its deterioration, its aberration and yet he loves it still. He lost his Hollywood star count on Richard Widmark who, in some ways, is as serious a role portrayer as Mr. Pesci is here. The scene where the advertisement on the bus bench has been graffiti-ed is poignant, as is the concluding scene where the portable TV battery is running low, just as the prospects of the SOS is also about deflated. I don't advocate vigilantism, but the process of getting new police chiefs takes years, doesn't it?

I have watched this movie about 5 times, and each time I become involved in the characters and their lives. It is a gripping plot, and the movie is well acted, Joe Pesci give another great performance. This is a movie which nobody has really seen or heard of, and that is sad to me. A movie with a good point (crime is bad and hope is good) and good acting should have made more money than any of the current Freddie Prinze Jr. or Sarah Michelle Gellar movies, but the movie world is not ruled by values and quality. I give this movie a 9.5/10 I'd even think about making this movie a perfect ten.