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IMDbPro

Hollywoodland

  • 2006
  • Tous publics
  • 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
37K
YOUR RATING
Ben Affleck and Adrien Brody in Hollywoodland (2006)
CT #1, Post
Play trailer1:56
10 Videos
99+ Photos
Showbiz DramaTrue CrimeBiographyCrimeDramaHistoryMysteryRomanceThriller

A detective examines the mysterious death of George Reeves, the star of the television series Superman (1952).A detective examines the mysterious death of George Reeves, the star of the television series Superman (1952).A detective examines the mysterious death of George Reeves, the star of the television series Superman (1952).

  • Director
    • Allen Coulter
  • Writer
    • Paul Bernbaum
  • Stars
    • Adrien Brody
    • Ben Affleck
    • Diane Lane
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    37K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Allen Coulter
    • Writer
      • Paul Bernbaum
    • Stars
      • Adrien Brody
      • Ben Affleck
      • Diane Lane
    • 320User reviews
    • 205Critic reviews
    • 62Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos10

    Hollywoodland
    Trailer 1:56
    Hollywoodland
    Hollywoodland Scene: I'm In The Picture Business
    Clip 1:25
    Hollywoodland Scene: I'm In The Picture Business
    Hollywoodland Scene: I'm In The Picture Business
    Clip 1:25
    Hollywoodland Scene: I'm In The Picture Business
    Hollywoodland Scene: Feed Me Something
    Clip 0:59
    Hollywoodland Scene: Feed Me Something
    Hollywoodland Scene: I Laugh When I'm Happy
    Clip 0:51
    Hollywoodland Scene: I Laugh When I'm Happy
    Hollywoodland Scene: Inflated Sense Of Importance
    Clip 1:17
    Hollywoodland Scene: Inflated Sense Of Importance
    Hollywoodland Scene: Superman Doesn't Smoke
    Clip 1:05
    Hollywoodland Scene: Superman Doesn't Smoke

    Photos122

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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Adrien Brody
    Adrien Brody
    • Louis Simo
    Ben Affleck
    Ben Affleck
    • George Reeves
    Diane Lane
    Diane Lane
    • Toni Mannix
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • Eddie Mannix
    Robin Tunney
    Robin Tunney
    • Leonore Lemmon
    Kathleen Robertson
    Kathleen Robertson
    • Carol Van Ronkel
    Lois Smith
    Lois Smith
    • Helen Bessolo
    Phillip MacKenzie
    Phillip MacKenzie
    • Bill Bliss
    Larry Cedar
    Larry Cedar
    • Chester Sinclair
    Eric Kaldor
    • Barbell Man
    • (as Eric Kolder)
    Caroline Dhavernas
    Caroline Dhavernas
    • Kit Holliday
    Kevin Hare
    Kevin Hare
    • Robert Condon
    Molly Parker
    Molly Parker
    • Laurie Simo
    Zach Mills
    Zach Mills
    • Evan Simo
    Neil Crone
    Neil Crone
    • Chuck
    Gareth Williams
    Gareth Williams
    • Del
    Seamus Dever
    Seamus Dever
    • Phillip
    Vladimir Jon Cubrt
    Vladimir Jon Cubrt
    • Morgue Attendant
    • (as Jon Vladimir Cubrt)
    • Director
      • Allen Coulter
    • Writer
      • Paul Bernbaum
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews320

    6.536.7K
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    Featured reviews

    6JoshuaMHetu

    Affleck Shines But the Movie Fails to Entertain

    First things first, Ben Affleck is not only amazing as George Reeves but he's by far the best part of "Hollywoodland." Oozing a dark charisma as the doomed TV actor, Affleck creates a surprisingly compelling character. He even makes a convincing Superman, ironic given his casting as Batman in the DCEU.

    But despite Affleck's stand-out performance the overall film is dragged down by otherwise shallow characters and a weak, unengaging story. The film tells the tale of a private detective (Adrien Brody) as he investigates the mysterious death of "Superman" star George Reeves. The film starts out strong with a promising premise, and by far the most interesting element of the plot involves the flashbacks to Reeves' rise as a TV star and his ultimate death by gunshot. But the majority of the plot, which focuses not on Reeves but on Brody's private detective, is too slow and lacks dramatic tension. Many if not most scenes involve overly long, bland conversations that don't do enough to further the plot. Reeves aside, the main characters are largely undeveloped and not interesting.

    "Hollywoodland" could've been great had the producers decided to do one of two things: A) Cut out the investigation storyline set in the present day and focus the movie almost entirely on Reeves, or B) Make the movie a thriller like "Rashomon" or "JFK" that told alternative versions of Reeves' life and death from different points of view. But as is, in spite of Affleck's performance and a handful of good scenes "Hollywoodland" just doesn't work. 6/10.
    8binstence-1

    A great film that will make its mark on the Academy if not the masses

    Just when I had given up on ever seeing a "Hollywood Star Filled" film along comes a masterful film about the not so famous star of the 1950's television phenomenon, "Superman". I saw the film this evening and Mr. Brody, the director, writer and Ms. Lane were all in attendance but that did not seem to matter much. The film is a real work of artistry. I cannot tell you what a delight is is to go see a film that I have heard nothing about and then sit in the theater totally and thoroughly engaged in a serious film that manages to convince the audience that the art of film making is alive and well. If I had known that Ben Affleck was in the film I would have passed. Its a good thing I did not. He and Diane Lane re-introduce the idea of stardom to film making. They were fantastic. The script was fantastic, the period accuracy enthralling and the long forgotten story riveting. Hollywoodland should prove to be the next "Capote". Congratulations! A 21st Century Noir treat.
    7blanche-2

    An ambitious actor in '50s Hollywood and his untimely death

    "Hollywoodland" has probably brought George Reeves more fame and celebrity than even he ever dreamed of - imagine being the subject of a feature film when you were most famous for being the TV Superman.

    Had he lived into his seventies, he might have been around for the renaissance of the old shows and stars due to the nostalgia of the maturing baby boomers. But he'd probably rather have it this way.

    Reeves started out in small roles such as one of the Tarlton twins in "Gone with the Wind," and before going into the service himself, nabbed some good parts while the big stars were fighting the war.

    Like many young actors back then, after the war, his career had lost momentum. He ultimately landed the role of Superman and during that time appeared in "From Here to Eternity."

    The film shows people recognizing him as Superman during the Hollywood premiere of "From Here to Eternity," and as a result of the audience laughter, his role was severely cut. Untrue. However, many people state that Reeves' role in the final product was no smaller than it was originally.

    Unfortunately, in the '50s, once you were associated with a television role, it was a death knell. When Jack Larson (Jimmy Olson in Superman) went into an audition after the series, the director said to the others in the room: "Please don't embarrass this man. He knows I can't cast him," or words to that effect.

    The actors today are more fortunate as the business has changed. It would be a steep upward climb if Reeves was to shake that Superman image.

    At the time of his death, he was forming his own production company and planned to go to New York. He also wanted to direct.

    "Hollywoodland" stars Ben Affleck, Diane Lane, Adrien Brody, Robin Tunney, Bob Hoskins and Lois Smith. It's the story of slimy detective Louis Simo (Brody) - a man who sells info to Confidential magazine and takes on low-rent clients - and his investigation of George Reeves' death, considered a suicide.

    During a small gathering in his home, Reeves went upstairs to his bedroom and allegedly shot himself. But many people believe he was murdered. Simo plays out different scenarios in his head with different suspects as he searches for evidence and motives.

    There were several people in Reeves' life who had motives: Reeves' long-time girlfriend Toni Mannix, wife of studio exec Eddie Mannix, a man with an unsavory past known by MGM as "The Fixer"; Mannix himself, who was suspected of being involved in the death of Jean Harlow's husband Paul Bern and later on of faking a car accident in which Toni was killed; and Leonore Lemmon, George's young girlfriend toward the end of his life, who expected to marry George.

    In the midst of his investigation, Simo has problems with a seedy client as well as difficulties relating with his young son.

    This is a beautifully produced film with some marvelous performances, particularly from Diane Lane, Bob Hoskins, and Ben Affleck. Affleck's resemblance to Reeves in some scenes is scary - particularly as Clark Kent! Affleck even had Reeves' vocal rhythm. An excellent performance, and hopefully one that will lead to some better films and roles for him.

    As Toni, Lane is superb - sexy, tough, and completely possessive of George; Bob Hoskins is great as the bombastic, thug-like Eddie Mannix. Robin Tunney makes a gorgeous Leonore, a cheap low-life.

    Adrien Brody's Louis Simo is probably more cerebral than most detectives of this type, but he's still good. The problem is not so much in his performance as it is that his storyline is intrusive.

    The scenes filming "The Adventures of Superman" are fantastic, and I for one wanted to see more. "Hollywoodland" captures the reality of making a television show back then and evokes the atmosphere of Hollywood in the '50s beautifully.

    However, it moved slowly, and there was too much of Brody's problems and too little of George's relationships. While it was an interesting film and very worthwhile, it just didn't hang together as one would have hoped.

    Reeves' friend, Jack Larson (portrayed in the film by Joseph Adam), who was an adviser on the film, read several versions of the script, and met with the actors.

    His biggest concern was that the film not put Toni Mannix, with whom he was very close, in a bad light. Larson was very, very impressed by Ben Affleck's intelligence and personality and thought all of the acting was top-notch.

    One thing he was sure of - Reeves never had any intention of marrying Leonore Lemmon. "George lived big," Larson said, "but it was Toni's money." He adds, "No one wants to listen to me...He committed suicide."
    7he88

    So Mixed On This One

    I'm a boomer so I was pretty young when the actor who played Superman died. Like the kid in the movie I too was disappointed tha Superman could be killed. I don't think I went half nut job like the kid did, but I was angry. After all I really believed wearing the obit and you'd have all his powers.

    On one hand this is filled with really great acting. So well crafted that it was a joy to watch. N the other hand it was frustrating by the end. I fear if I say more I'd spoil the show. It's a real roller coaster of a show.
    9IComeAnon

    Hollywoodland a 'super' display of talent

    I recently was lucky enough to get to go to a screening of this film followed by a Q&A with director Allen Coulter, stars Diane Lane and Adrien Brody; each one of which did a fantastic job in their most recent performances. Coulter's first foray into film is a very successful one. His abilities with the camera from his experience like The Sopranos is clear throughout and is very strong from the opening shot of LA as it swoops into the house as police enter the crime scene that is George Reeves home. The cinematography by Jonathan Freeman ("Rescue Me", "Taken") is very strong with a great contrast in shadows and a subtle yet noticeable difference between the two times shown in the film. Coulter also uses music and sound differences to establish the Louis Simo (Adrien Brody) and George Reeves (Ben Affleck) time lines as separated. The acting is all around amazing, Affleck and Brody take their characters and live them, both amazing. Affleck has a few moments where the Reeves voice seems to lapse slightly but it's nearly unnoticeable. Both near perfect performances and as for the rest of the cast, there is not a poor performance to be found in this film. Expect a SAG ensemble nomination here. The overall style of the film is very interesting. Coulter describes the film as a "film noir in the daytime" and a "film about a modern man." The story is beautifully told with a nicely flowing back and forth between George Reeves life up until his death and 'independent investigator' Simo's search for the truth about that fateful night. Overall the film gets a 9/10 from me because it was simply nearly flawless, I left the theater very happy for having seen it because I'm willing to predict that this film will get some mentions come award time.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film's producers were forced to shoot a new version of the opening credits of Superman (1952) when Warner Brothers refused permission for the actual opening credits to be used within the film.
    • Goofs
      It is 1959, well into the golden age of broadcast television, yet there are virtually no television antennas visible on the roofs of any of the houses in the shots of the "period" neighborhoods.
    • Quotes

      Kenneth Giles: [after defeating villains in a live show] Hey, Superman! Hey, Superman!

      George Reeves: Well, hello there, young man, what's your name?

      Kenneth Giles: [brandishing a gun] Kenneth Giles. Can I shoot you?

      George Reeves: [he sees that it's a real gun and is suddenly very serious] Kenneth, why would you want to do something like that?

      Kenneth Giles: So the bullet bounces off. Can I?

      George Reeves: Well, if you did shoot me and the bullet bounced off, it might accidentally hit someone else. We don't want that to happen, do we?

      Kenneth Giles: No...

      George Reeves: Why don't you just, you and I... Here we go, partner. Why don't you just give me that? Just hand me that...

    • Connections
      Featured in HBO First Look: Fame Can Be a Killer: The Making of 'Hollywoodland' (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      Superman M E
      Written by Leon Klatzkin (as Leon Klazkin)

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 3, 2007 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Truth, Justice, and the American Way
    • Filming locations
      • Oakville, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Focus Features
      • Miramax
      • Back Lot Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $28,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,426,251
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,008,000
      • Sep 10, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,800,438
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 6m(126 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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