Hollywood has a reputation for giving stories a larger-than-life, idealized treatment. That’s not always a bad thing.
The eponymous Netflix show, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennen, sees the Golden Age of Hollywood as it should have been. Rather than a seedy land of backstabbing, casting couches, closet cases, sexism and racial disparity, the new series envisions a Hollywood where rivals could become friends, people of color could become stars, and movies could push the envelope of social acceptance. So goes the story of three of the show’s key characters: the aspiring director Raymond (Darren Criss), his actress-girlfriend Camille (Laura Harrier) and her studio rival Claire (Samara Weaving).
Related: WATCH: Fresh-faced Rock Hudson arrives in Ryan Murphy’s ‘Hollywood’
We managed to sit down with the three actors (via webcam, due to COVID-19) to talk about the series’ idealized take on 1940s Tinseltown, their characters, and the beauty of subverted expectations. Hollywood streams on Netflix May 1.
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Pistolo
If you know anything about Old Hollywood, you know that you don’t have to make any sh*t up. There’s so many stories about people that have never been told and instead they’re just not bothering with those in favor of silly fantasy.
Woteva
Watched the whole thing end to end yesterday. No spoilers. The 40’s look is beautifully recreated and all of the cast do a great job. The thread is unquestionably from SCOTTY BOWERS autobiography (I hope he’s credited somewhere) and though actual stars are seen (Bankhead & Leigh etc) it’s Rock Hudson’s depiction that didn’t sit well with me. They didn’t need to use his name – it could have been any very tall, very handsome young wannabe. The other leads are all fictitious so why use Rock? That said, it has a great beginning, a good middle and an unexpected end.
Entertaining? Yes. Authentic? No. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 5 and a bit out of 10. I give it 7.. Be interesting to see what others think.
NeilIN72
I think it’s because Rock Hudson was one of the biggest stars that agent Henry Wilson created so it was more a way to connect the Rock Hudson/Henry Wilson connection than anything else. That was my take on it anyway.
stanhope
Camille was the only character who’s acting wasn’t up to the level of the others.