This new Netflix series takes us behind the scenes of the beloved “Tinseltown” during the golden age of cinema.
Glee creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan present us with the seven-part series Hollywood, based on true figures of the time. Presented in a post-World War Two world, wannabe actor Jack Costello (David Corenswet) would do anything to see his names up in lights to become the next big actor on the scene. However, he learns the hardships of the film world and finds out its not that easy to become an actor.
So, in order to provide for his wife and expectant children he must find a job. Whilst in a bar, he meets Ernie West (Dylan McDermott), owner of the Golden Tip Gas station that is secretly an underground hook-up spot.
As he is desperate for money, Jack takes the job and along the way meets Avis Amburg (Patti LuPone). As the series goes on, Jack becomes best friends with aspiring screen writer Archie Coleman (Jeremy Pope). Eventually, both get their foot in the door at Ace Studios and along the way they meet fellow underdogs in the game including ambitious director Raymond Ainsley (Darren Criss), his girlfriend and actress Camille Washington (Laura Harrier), Rock Hudson (Jake Picking), Henry Wilson (Jim Parsons), Dick Samuels (Joe Mantello) and Ellen Kincaid (Holland Taylor).
However, for people such as Archie, Rock and Camille, the golden age of cinema during the 1940s proves difficult for them due to the colour of their skin and sexuality. Nevertheless, with the production of film Meg they face these obstacles headfirst and change the face of cinema.
Although this series has received critical reviews and been described as a “dud”, it pays homage to the dream that was Hollywood! Not only does it take us back into a time where cinema was the place to be, but it gives us an insight into the passion people had towards the profession. Darren Criss’s character is one that stands out for this.
As an avid fan of Glee, I had high expectations for Darren’s role (as he played Blaine Anderson in Glee), and he met these expectations. Similar to some other notable characters such as Archie, he is one of the more in-depth and meaningful characters that expresses the true thirst for Hollywood and cinema. The way he describes his vision for the film to producer Dick Samuels conveys just this.
What this series also does well is explore the disempowered in Hollywood at the time, in particular Archie Coleman. Since a young boy, he always dreamed of having the recognition similar to any white person in the limelight at the time. Not as recognition and fame for himself, but for the race he represents. It shows us even though Hollywood was all about the glam and fame, there was corruption and secrecy behind closed doors.
The only pitfall in the series is the beginning. At first, when we meet Jack Castello, there is more of a focus on him and his life rather than delving straight into the Hollywood scene. From this, it takes a while to get into the feel of the series and it’s the beginning that makes it less enjoyable to watch as we are not watching what the title promises us.
Also, the fact that Jack is introduced to us from the onset as the main character shows him to be quite boring when we are eventually introduced to our other characters, and in reality, he has no depth to him.
Ultimately, Hollywood doesn’t deserve the bad reviews it has receive from critics as it represents the underdogs in the so-called “Tinseltown” as well as paying homage to the golden age of cinema that left its legacy for us today.
By Katie Green
Feature image: New on Netflix: NEWS