August 10, 2009

Hollywoodland (2006)

My Ratings:
Production Design (wardrobe/hair+makeup & set design & milieu) = 7
Performances/Direction = 6

Ben Affleck stars in this lukewarm biopic of the late George Reeves, who was best known for his role as Superman in the 1950s television series. In 1959, Reeves was found in his bedroom, dead of a gunshot wound through the head but whether this was the result of suicide or murder remains undetermined to this day.

Here's Ben Affleck as George Reeves acting as Superman disguised as Clark Kent:
hollywoodland_clarkkent2

hollywoodland_shooting

Here is a gorgeous Diane Lane as Toni Mannix, the wife of MGM studio head Eddie Mannix. Toni meets the then struggling actor Reeves and the two being to have a long affair. Her scallop shell earrings!
hollywoodland_diane_shellearring

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hollywoodland_bendiane

The epitome of mid-century Hollywood glamour: glittery gown, long dress gloves, and a fur stole. 
hollywoodland_dianefurmartini

Hot red nails.
hollywoodland_dianedinner

Let's start a movement to bring hats back!
hollywoodland_dianemartini2

In her car, spying...love the soft chiffon scarf.
hollywoodland_dianecar

In a cute polka-dotted dress + cardigan set.
hollywoodland_dianepolkadot2

hollywoodland_dianepolkadot

Wow, she looks amazing in that body-hugging pink jumpsuit!
hollywoodland_dianepinkjumper2

Love her sunglasses.
hollywoodland_dianepinkjumper1

Here's a few caps of Ben Affleck as George Reeves.
Here is Reeves during an audition.
hollywoodland_audition

I think Affleck has does possess a slight resemblance to Reeves and the makeup artists/stylists did a great job doing him up.
hollywoodland_closeup

hollywoodland_bensmokingmirror

Reeves looks very Clark Kent here.
hollywoodland_ben1

The framed poster print he's holding up is of From Here to Eternity (1953), a great film starring Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, and my childhood crush Montgomery Clift. I couldn't figure out why Reeves was holding it up though because I don't remember him in it but after some research, I discovered he had a small uncredited role.
hollywoodland_party_fromheretoeternity

Adrian Brody plays the private detective hired to look into Reeves' suicide/murder.
hollywoodland_adriancouch

At certain angles, Kathleen Robertson - the blond in the hairnet - resembled Mary Stuart Masterson. I got really excited for a minute until I realized it wasn't her.
hollywoodland_laundry_hairnet

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I love this textured blazer with the muted sheen he is wearing here:
hollywoodland_adrian_texturedjacket

And the following are just a few more examples of the menswear featured. Below is Reeve's agent.
Gray sweater vest under a dark suit jacket with a light tie (two different colored stripes!) and white pocket square. It's so put- together yet casual...I really love this ensemble.
hollywoodland_agent_office

Interesting fedora.
hollywoodland_agent+hat

I forgot who character this was but I love his tie. Horizontal stripes, which you don't see often.
hollywoodland_stripedtie

Cream ascot with striped shirt and dark blazer.
hollywoodland_darkblazerascot

(right) A shirt with small raised dots...and a flower pinned on the lapel!
hollywoodland_lightsuit

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