Hollywoodland
User Score
5.7 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 52
  3. Negative: 16 out of 52

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  1. Fantasy
    Sep 11, 2006
    4
    Star power galore; a story to die for; and the end result, is a discombobulated mess. The actors are all top caliber but the dialogue is difficult to understand. [***SPOILERS***] And each time a storyline gets going, it is ripped away at the wrong time and nothing ever gets resolved. The ending is inconclusive and suggests nothing. As a result, the film leaves the viewer wanting more and thus is forgotten the minute you leave the theater. This could have been so much more in the hands of a veteran director. Avoid.… Expand
  2. Robertxxx
    Oct 9, 2006
    4
    Brody is so miscast that it sinks the whole film.
  3. LewisP.
    Sep 23, 2007
    4
    The problem with 'Hollywoodland' is that the film's protagonist (played by Adrian Brody) is not involved in solving the central question posed by the film. Brody's private investigator's ordeal occurs when he tries to take his 7 year old son out for a little get-together while he's drunk without his estranged wife's permission. After the Act 2 ordeal, he subsequently experiences an epiphany and at the end of the flick we presume he'll be back in his son's good graces (and also feels good about himself to boot). Unfortunately for us he's never involved in solving the film's central question--did George Reeves commit suicide or was he murdered? Maybe this is a film that shouldn't have been made at all since questions about Reeve's death remain unanswered to this day. I'm not sure why people see Reeves as a failed actor. To my mind he was a better Superman than any actor who came after him. It's just unfortunate that there simply aren't that many good scripts out there for good actors. Ben Affleck was better playing Reeves' 'darker' side but didn't really capture his charm or sense of humor. The female actors were much better in this flick. Ultimately, the film lacked suspense and probably could have dispensed with the whole Brody story line (a sub-plot masquerading as the major plot).… Expand
  4. DizzleBrizzle
    Feb 14, 2007
    4
    The character study of George Reeves, his sad life, and his even sadder death, was the highlight of this film. It is a shame most of the film focused on the mundane story of Adrien Brody's character. It was one of those films where you ask yourself, "who cares?" when the credits roll.
  5. Freakster
    Sep 13, 2006
    3
    Could have been so much better.
  6. Agnes
    Sep 14, 2006
    3
    Jocasta said it best when she used the word "meander". The movie jumps from story to story and never really explains anything. George Reeves was a hustler but not very much of an actor. He was a kept man by Diane Lane's character and stupid enough to think that he could take her and her mobster husband on and get away with it. The end result was predictable. He hated playing Superman and was a phony for doing so. The only sincere person in the film was his agent who had his best interests at heart. After viewing all the possible scenario's for his death suicide was the most plausible. There was nothing about him to even suggest that anyone wanted him killed. This movie failed at every level.… Expand
  7. [Anonymous]
    Sep 28, 2006
    3
    Worst movie I've seen in a while. At least Brody is interesting enough to look at.
  8. Warren
    Sep 12, 2006
    2
    Not very well done and difficult to understand the dialogue.
  9. Elena
    Sep 24, 2006
    2
    Great Cast. Great Potential. But unfortunately this movie meanders nowhere. Comes up as flat as a pancake and is soon forgotten when you leave the theater. It could have been sensational but the director didn't have the experience to pull this off. Very poor and frustrating.
  10. Bobbie
    Sep 26, 2006
    2
    This film was on my must see list and despite the mediocre reviews I went to see it. The movie is disjointed and rambles nowhere. Overacted in parts and jerks the audience away at the wrong inoppertune moments. And when it is done you are right back where you started but only totally frustrated. Very poor directing and is parts is difficult to understand what the actors are actually saying. Since these are professional, very good actors the blame must go to the director who had no clue what he was doing. Avoid.… Expand
  11. Goffy
    Sep 11, 2006
    1
    Much ado about nothing. Poor effort.
  12. JocastaT.
    Sep 13, 2006
    1
    Absolutely atrocious. The script was banal and general, and really told no particular story whatsoever. A two hour meander. [***SPOILERS***]Diane Lane is, however, along with Bob Hoskins, excellent. If the movie had focused on their relationship alone, and how Superman cozied up to her to enhance his career - then you might have had a movie. Adrien Brody and the phantom 'murder' are ridiculous. Brody is a giant ham, who projects neither detective, nor father. He is out of his league, but in fairness has absolutely nothing to do. The direction is limp and lifeless, and not a single moment is there an ounce of any true suspense or intrigue.… Expand
  13. jhep
    Mar 25, 2012
    1
    Lady Macbeth famously said HELL IS MURKY â

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Film Threat
    Reviewed by: Don R. Lewis
    70
    Features an excellent cast all of whom shine. Affleck as Reeves has never seemed more charming and Brody’s Louis Simo is pretty much a scumbag who still manages to gain our empathy.
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  2. 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.
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  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    60
    First-time scripter Paul Bernbaum's framing story, designed to stir up suspicion that George Reeves was a murder victim rather than a suicide, unfortunately proves far less intriguing than does the melancholy tale of a limited actor reaching the end of the line during a transitional period in Hollywood.
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