Hollywood

A thoroughly entertaining reimagining of Hollywood in 1948. Fabulous production values and some terrific performances. Jim Parsons is a particular standout as the notorious Hollywood agent Henry Willson. Ryan Murphy has presented us with a very interesting take on what might have been. Some other reviewers have mentioned the word cringeworthy. Cringeworthy it is at times but it is thoroughly entertaining. The only negative thing about Murphy's latest offering it is that it wasn't true, although the 'Dreamland' premise is loosely based on Scotty Bowers' autobiography 'Full Service.' Ryan Murphy can be hit and miss at times (his last effort for Netflix, 'The Politician' was a bit of a mixed bag) but I'm happy to say that 'Hollywood' is a hit.

It started out sooo good. The first 3 episodes were great. I thought for sure this would be Oscar worthy...then, it took a hard dip by episode 4, turning into Make-A-Wish foundation, and by episode 5, it was a PSA announcement. We shut it off mid-episode 'cause we were bored, and I was calling out every plot twist before it happened it had become so predictable. It was like Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan wrote the first 3 episodes, got bored, and told their 22-year-old writer's assistants to finish the show.

I feel like Ryan Murphy is at that point in his career where he can get anything greenlit so now he's writing entirely for himself and doesn't care what the audience or his fans want. It's a shame. The writing started out so strong. Imagine the first half of this show like Glee season 1 and the second half like Glee, the final years, and you have an idea of where the writing went on this show. Too bad.

I saw the documentary that they ripped the gas station / Dreamland part of the show, and that was fun, despite they took that guy's life and probably didn't pay him. There's zero tension in the show after episode 3. It's just wish fulfillment, where everyone gets what they want, like a pre-school show for kids, so, despite the strength of the first few episodes you stop caring about the characters because you can predict everything that will happen so what's the point of seeing it? No mystery. No struggle after episode three, they suddenly magically get everything they want. There's no reason to watch until episode 7 because mid-episode 5 it's an easy guess where it's going, which we confirmed by reading reviews.

I just don't know how Murphy went from America Crime Story: Versace, to this. Such a great idea, and so magical, and it just fell apart, as if they stopped caring halfway through.

Rock Hudson was great. That was one bright spot in the show, aside from the initial writing and the production value. He was endearing and vulnerable. You really root for him, despite the show falling apart around him. And was interesting to see Jim Parsons as a villain after 12 seasons of him playing Sheldon. I'm sure he loved playing that. The entire cast is likable, it just would have been nice for them to be consistent as opposed to shifting their characters completely and unrealistically halfway though. Again, bad writing.

... this had been true?! I don't understand how so many reviewers can have missed the whole point of this series. I cringed alarmingly during the first couple of episodes, but, I was intrigued and kept watching. I am so glad that I did. I just love this! Great acting, beautiful settings and a wonderful "what if" story, very much needed in this intolerant world.

And then it becomes bitter sweet. Haven't we come further? Why? We, as humans and society has a long, long way to go which is truly worth fighting for. So, in short, this series is all about equality, love and that colour, gender or sexual orientation shouldn't matter.

With so many mixed reviews I wasn't sure what to expect from Hollywood. I'm glad I did give it a chance because I really enjoyed it. It's seems like most of the negative reviews are because it changes facts from history and because there are real people being portrayed here they didn't like it. Personally, I couldn't care less as long as it's entertaining. It's not claiming to be a true story. This is another show created by the highly successful Ryan Murphy. While not his best work it's still pretty good and worth watching. It's about aspiring actors, directors, agents, etc in post World War II Hollywood who will do anything to make their dreams come true.

Full of colors, fun, diverse characters and drama, Hollywood is a mini series (I don't get the current possibility for season 2) worth a watch if you're into historical what-ifs, or you just want to watch a fun "period" drama that is not the real Golden Age Hollywood... So don't expect history lessons, and just enjoy 1940s through rose colored glasses. It would've been a better choice to go full-fiction with all fiction characters though, without terrible Rock Hudson portrayal for example. Or to go 100% factual (it's not that hard) and show how things really happened in Hollywood, with real struggles of aspiring writers, directors, actors, poor, non-white, different sexuality (for example, Rock Hudson's real closet case). As for the quality of the series in general, it started excellent and then just lost itself with unbelievable plot and characters acting forced, unnatural and silly. The cinematography is great. Drama is mostly interesting, something that's usual for Ryan Murphy (I love American Horror story and Scream queens, he should stick to horror comedy). All in all, I gave 7/10 for the first few episodes, cinematography, silly drama and feel-good mindless fun. It would have been much lower if I took it seriously... Or if I judge by last few episodes... Or if they decide to make season 2 (oh no)! P. S. The tune at the end of each episode is so annoying and repetitive!