Hollywoodland

“Hollywoodland” is a movie that shows us that not everything is what it seems. We start off with a crime scene that appears to be an open and shut case. It would seem that the actor George Reeves (Ben Affleck), beloved by children everywhere for his title role in the television show “Superman”, has shot himself to death. Next we are introduced to Louis Simo, a private detective played by Adrian Brody. The first time we see him, he is zipping up his pants, and it is implied that he has just been interrupted in the act of fornication with his assistant by one of his clients.

We soon discover that money is very high on Simo’s list of priorities, as he continues to take money from this client long after he surmises that his client’s wife is not cheating on him. Always looking for more work, Simo learns that Reeves' mother has come to Hollywoodland searching for the truth, but the police are reluctant to consider foul play. So, using a mixture of deception and truth, he manages to get himself on her payroll.

From there, we see Reeves' life in flashbacks, as Simo investigates and envisions what might actually have happened to the “Man of Steel.” What we learn is that there were, in fact, people who may have wanted him dead, including the head of MGM Studios Eddie Mannix, whose wife (Diane Lane) Reeves had a not-so-discreet affair with.

We learn that Reeves was far from the role model he portrayed. Reeves thought doing a kiddie show was beneath him. The Bible says we are not to have an exaggerated opinion of our own importance (Rom. 12:3).

We also see see Simo’s personal life, which is in various stages of unraveling throughout the film. He has a shaky relationship with his son and ex-wife, but he is consistently shown trying to maintain an active role in his son’s life. But not everything is what it seems. On the surface, by Hollywood’s standards, Reeves had everything and Simo nothing. But scratch the surface, and they are not so different. Both men are shown drinking, smoking, and fornicating. (Sadly, marriage is treated very lightly by everyone portrayed.)

If anything, Simo comes out slightly ahead, because unlike Reeves, who seems to be in denial about the moral decay his own choices have led to, Simo never pretends to be anything other than a flawed human being trying to make it through the next day.

I couldn’t help but like Reeves as-portrayed-by Ben Affleck, however. There is an understated sadness that he coveys as the story hints to why he may have been despondent. I was really saddened that Reeves’ life ended the way it did. We don’t really know if Reeves took his own life, but God says He has a plan for every human life through relationship with Jesus Christ that includes the promises of hope and a future (Jer. 31:17). Suicide is never the answer. Psalm 30:5 tells us:

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning”

Thankfully, every other word was not a curse word, but there were several instances where the script included profanity including the f-word, as well as some course dialogue. There was also nudity, including Reeves and Simo walking around shirtless, Reeves’ backside, a shot of Simo laying in bed with his assistant where you see all the way down to just below his navel, and one scene where a woman’s breasts are out of focus. There are also scenes where characters are engaged in premarital sex.

It is a shame, because this was a movie that had enough talent and good storytelling to stand on it’s own merit, but silly me, I forgot the telltale title informing where this movie was produced: “Hollywoodland.” My recommendation is to skip this one, unless you have have TV-Guardian to edit out the offensive material when it comes out on DVD.

Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Moderate