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Hollywoodland
Hollywoodland Image
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Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.6 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Adrien Brody, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins, Diane Lane
  • Summary: Hollywoodland is a uniquely compelling exploration of fame and identity, inspired by one of Hollywood's most infamous real-life mysteries. (Focus Features)
  • Director: Allen Coulter
  • Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
  • Rating: R
  • Runtime: 126 min
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    100
    The period details and performances are uniformly superb (Bob Hoskins is especially good as MGM executive Eddie Mannix), and the major characters are even more complex than those in "Chinatown."
  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    88
    With an uncredited assist from playwright/screenwriter Howard Korder, Hollywoodland features some tart, lively banter and welcome comedic touches.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Michael Rechtshaffen
    60
    Ultimately falls short of reaching the pleasingly pulpy heights of an "L.A. Confidential" or a "Chinatown" despite those obvious aspirations.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 9 out of 24
  1. Randy
    9
    Adrien Brody was superb, and what a complex, compelling and melancholy story! Whether George Reeves committed suicide or was murdered, it seems that the movie was saying that his life came to a sad end in a tawdry setting. Very thought-provoking film.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. JPP.
    5
    At first glance, the trailers for 'Hollywoodland' make the film out to be a seemingly compelling murder story. Upon actually seeing it though you'll soon realize, after about the first twenty minutes, it's merely a sub par one. Once it begins you're in for an almost dismal ride that ends up going nowhere. One of its issues is that all the "likely" murder scenarios lack any evidence. The only thing that even holds each person as a suspect is some sort of motive, which only adds to the film's already stagnant disposition. Next you have the ghastly performance given by Affleck. The fact he plays Reeves is ironic in a sad way. Here we have a mediocre actor playing a mediocre actor who hates himself because he's viewed by the public as a joke. The only difference is Affleck has yet to come to the realization that he himself is also a joke. Yes, I will give him some credit, there are a couple of split seconds where he actually does really well, but its nothing really worth mentioning. As for Brody, all I'll say is he's okay. He's not great, he's not lousy, just plainly okay. Its Lane that truly shines here. She does an absolutely amazing job with her role as the emotionally unstable Toni Mannix. I hope when Oscar time comes around she gets a nod. Sadly, all the other members of the cast present only ordinary performances. I'm disappointed in the way 'Hollywoodland' turned out. I believed it was going to be really good, and all it ended up being was just fair. I suppose I shouldn't have had such high expectations for a film that's director, Allen Coulter, had only done TV shows up until this point. I will admit, it's not all bad. The style and retro visuals were nice, but all in all, the only thing offered is an outstanding performance from Diane Lane. Much like the story told in the film, 'Hollywoodland' is nothing more than a film filled with all glitz and no glamour.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. [Anonymous]
    3
    Worst movie I've seen in a while. At least Brody is interesting enough to look at.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 24 User Reviews

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