Hollywoodland: B+

Suicide is arguably the most violent death a person can suffer. Not only can they inflict upon themselves numerous creative ways to die but we are never left with resolution. Why did they do it? Could we have saved them? Did they really do it? These answers are usually unanswered, after all the person who could have answered them is long gone. This elegant and extraordinarly stylish biodrama from Allen Coulter (helmer of serveral key HBO shows like The Sopranoes) revolves around the "suicide" of the first Superman: George Reeves (Ben Affleck). The detective who is slowly but surely pulled into investigating his case is Louis Simo (Adrien Brody, nose and all). He was originally hired by George's mother but when he discovers the level of suspects who could have killed Reeves he gets personally attached. The suspects are as follows: Tony Minnax (Diane Lane, turning sexy appeal into weariness with unrivaled power), Reeves' sugar momma, Tony's husband Eddie who is the general operator of MGM and known mob associate (Bob Hoskins turning geniality from last year's Mrs Henderson Presents into quiet menace), and Reeves' p.o.'d ex-fiance Leonora Lemon, and even his own mother who he hasn't spoken to in years. The movie itself is interlayed over flashbacks of Reeves' failing career endeavors and his social life (as he once spouts: "can you see my penis in this suit?"). The script, though enjoyable, is a by-the-numbers noir and Adrien Brody hardly steps outside the box. However the powerful performances of Diane Lane and Ben Affleck keep the movie afloat and turn it from a pretty shiny thing into a compelling story of depression. Slightly forgettable but very enjoyable nonetheless.