Hollywoodland
When Hollywood superstar George Reeves dies in his home, private detective Louis Simo is hired to investigate his death and gets caught in a web of lies involving a big studio executive's wife. Based on a true story.
The film earned $16.8M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Hollywoodland (2006) exhibits deliberately positioned narrative design, characteristic of Allen Coulter's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 12-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 6 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Louis Simo sits in his car outside his ex-wife's house, watching his son through the window - a struggling private detective disconnected from his family, taking photographs of cheating spouses for money.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when George Reeves is found dead from a gunshot wound in his bedroom. The death is quickly ruled a suicide, but the circumstances are suspicious, creating the central mystery that will consume Simo.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 64 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Simo discovers evidence suggesting Eddie Mannix may have ordered the hit. False victory: he thinks he's solving the case, but the truth remains elusive. Meanwhile, flashbacks show Reeves at his peak happiness with Toni, unaware of the decline to come - a false victory before the fall., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 95 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Simo's obsession costs him everything - his son refuses to see him, comparing him to the absent, selfish George Reeves. The case falls apart as evidence proves contradictory. He realizes he may never know the truth, and in pursuing it, has destroyed what mattered most: his relationship with his son., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 102 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Simo closes the case, telling Reeves' mother a version of events that gives her peace (murder theory), though he no longer believes there's a definitive answer. The film presents multiple endings for Reeves' death, leaving it ambiguous. Simo reconciles with his ex-wife and reconnects with his son., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Hollywoodland's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 12 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Hollywoodland against these established plot points, we can identify how Allen Coulter utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Hollywoodland within the crime genre.
Allen Coulter's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Allen Coulter films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Hollywoodland takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Allen Coulter filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional crime films include The Bad Guys, Batman Forever and 12 Rounds. For more Allen Coulter analyses, see Remember Me.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Louis Simo sits in his car outside his ex-wife's house, watching his son through the window - a struggling private detective disconnected from his family, taking photographs of cheating spouses for money.
Theme
Simo's ex-wife tells him, "You're chasing something that doesn't exist" - establishing the theme of truth versus illusion, and the danger of obsessive pursuit of answers that may not bring peace.
Worldbuilding
Dual timeline established: 1959 Los Angeles with Simo's low-rent detective work and failing marriage, intercut with 1950s flashbacks showing George Reeves' rise as Superman and his affair with Toni Mannix, wife of MGM executive Eddie Mannix.
Disruption
George Reeves is found dead from a gunshot wound in his bedroom. The death is quickly ruled a suicide, but the circumstances are suspicious, creating the central mystery that will consume Simo.
Resistance
Simo is hired by Reeves' mother, who refuses to believe her son committed suicide. Simo resists taking the case initially, knowing it's a publicity stunt, but needs the money. He begins investigating, learning about Reeves' complicated relationships with Toni Mannix and Leonore Lemmon.
Act II
ConfrontationMirror World
Simo sees parallels between himself and Reeves - both men trapped by circumstances, struggling with faded dreams. The investigation becomes personal as he recognizes his own failures reflected in Reeves' story, particularly regarding family and ambition.
Premise
Simo digs deeper, uncovering three possible scenarios: suicide (depression over typecasting), murder by Toni Mannix (jealous rage), or murder by Eddie Mannix (mob-connected studio fixer). Flashbacks show Reeves' passionate affair with Toni, his frustration with Superman, and his relationship with younger Leonore.
Midpoint
Simo discovers evidence suggesting Eddie Mannix may have ordered the hit. False victory: he thinks he's solving the case, but the truth remains elusive. Meanwhile, flashbacks show Reeves at his peak happiness with Toni, unaware of the decline to come - a false victory before the fall.
Opposition
Simo faces increasing pressure: his ex-wife threatens to restrict access to his son, witnesses become hostile, and he's warned off the case. He grows obsessed, neglecting everything else. Flashbacks show Reeves' desperation as he's trapped by the Superman role and his deteriorating relationships with both Toni and Leonore.
Collapse
Simo's obsession costs him everything - his son refuses to see him, comparing him to the absent, selfish George Reeves. The case falls apart as evidence proves contradictory. He realizes he may never know the truth, and in pursuing it, has destroyed what mattered most: his relationship with his son.
Crisis
Simo sits alone, confronting the possibility that Reeves did commit suicide - a victim of his own choices and circumstances. He sees the futility of seeking definitive answers about the past while ignoring the present. The darkness of both men's choices weighs on him.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Simo closes the case, telling Reeves' mother a version of events that gives her peace (murder theory), though he no longer believes there's a definitive answer. The film presents multiple endings for Reeves' death, leaving it ambiguous. Simo reconciles with his ex-wife and reconnects with his son.