"LOOK! Up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, IT'S.............." We all know the rest. When I was a kid growing up in the 50's, those were magical words and they meant that our hero was on TV. Whatever we were doing we stopped to watch the man of steel save Metropolis and fight for truth, justice and the American way. I was ten years old when I heard the news that George Reeves, SUPERMAN, had killed himself. We didn't believe it! How could this be? We knew he was just a man playing a character, but he always seemed so happy in the role. He was a natural. Well, I guess things aren't always what they seem. With that said, the question must still be asked: Did he or did he NOT kill himself? Millions of 1950's American kids (old now), me included, have been wondering about the truth since 1959. After a Hollywood star is found shot in his home, the LAPD declares it a suicide. After receiving a tip that there is a "cover up", or at the very least the LAPD is in a rush to close the case, Louis Simo (see-mo), a down and out private investigator, decides to use the story to get his picture in the papers. It works! As he begins his investigation he finds things that either don't add up or add up too much. He begins to see the power of the Hollywood studios as he finds that the dead man, George Reeves, was deeply involved with a major studio head's wife. Motive for murder? Maybe it was an accidental shooting? Maybe he was an unhappy, typecast actor who actually did take his own life? A bruised body, a 45 minute wait by his guests and fiancée before calling the police and no suicide note, all make his suicide questionable. If you are not of my generation and know nothing of "Superman's" death this will be a very good Hollywood mystery. If you DO come from my time and remember, you will see and realize things that we never knew before because of the well written script. The acting was first class. Adrien Brody as Simo was great casting as he showed us how low a person can get when things are not going well. Also, perfect casting of studio head Eddie Mannix is the great Bob Hoskins. Vicious! His wife, Toni, is played solidly by Diane Lane. She is the "older woman" that "kept" Reeves. All great, but the stand-out performance is, get ready for this one, Ben Affleck! Yeah, that's what I said! He was outstanding as George Reeves. Maybe it's because Ben has been somewhat typecast and he is playing a guy who was VERY typecast. Whatever the reason, for a 10 year old who is now 57, he WAS Superman. I don't like to spoil endings but I will tell you this, there is no resolution in this picture and this old Superman fan is still wondering what I wondered in 1959. The only difference is I have many more facts now to make my decision. This was a well made picture and serves Hollywood history by allowing us to make our own conclusion. Oscars®? It's got all the makings! We'll see. "Tell me, have you ever heard of a party where a man goes upstairs and blows his head off?" RECOMMENDATION: The clothes, the cars and the mood of the 50's are brought to life brilliantly! A very good Hollywood mystery. Go see it. Rated R for sex, language and violence. TWO TALL BUILDING LEAPING, BARE HAND STEEL BENDING THUMBS UP!!! (Still scratching my head!) Movie Review © 2006 by Terry Anderson |
