Review of Hollywoodland (2006) by Corey H — 24 Feb 2008

This movie shows an interesting contrast between the American of 1959, in which Ben Affleck is TV's Superman, and only one year later, in which Adrien Brody's private detective investigates his death.

Pre-1960 America is glamorous and slick, whereas 1960 is more gritty and 'real' - as if the loss of America's hero represents the loss of the country's innocence. It's a shooting style that works brilliantly.

It's the lack of any great memorable scenes which are found in the much better LA Confidential and Brian De Palma's the Black Dahlia (with some great scenes but overall is an inferior film to this one) which keeps it down to three stars from me.