This documentary is about four people who have moved to Los Angeles in hopes of becoming professional actors. However, they are still struggling and so they make ends meet by parading up and down Hollywood Boulevard in superhero costumes--making money posing with tourists who want a photo. The four all have very different personalities and are quite captivating as they tell their stories.
"Superman" Christopher Dennis is by far the most dedicated to his role--eating, drinking and thinking like the Man of Steel. It is not just acting for this man but he IS Superman, as he won't smoke in costume in front of people (though oddly he will in front of the camera)and goads other characters along the strip to not smoke in front of the fans. His apartment is covered in Superman memorabilia and all his energy is devoted to being the character. While all say they want to get more lucrative jobs in Hollywood, this guy seems most content to be exactly who he is now--and he's done so for many years. He is probably the most fascinating of the four mostly because he's so obsessed. He's also interesting because he claims to be the son of actress Sandy Dennis, though her family is adamant that he is NOT! He seems like a heck of a nice guy--though, of course, strange!
"Batman" Maxwell Allen is probably the most interesting psychologically. While Christopher is very, very obsessed and odd, Maxwell seems to be on the verge of killing someone or at least making others think he will--as he's filled with hostility, loves guns, and talks about how many people "need a beat down". He also seems to be a very unreliable historian when recounting his life. He talks about having had "special forces training" as well as alludes to working for the mob, having killed someone and having black belts in several martial arts--though even his wife admits that "only about 50% of what he says is true". When he shows up in the film at a psychiatrist's office to discuss his anger, he appears in costume--and, interestingly, the therapist seems non-plussed.
"Wonderwoman" Jennifer Wenger seems like she's the most likely to have a career in film, as her tryouts go well and she has the looks to make it. Her life in rural Tennessee is discussed and unlike the other three, you get to see her parents and they get to talk a bit on film. Her marriage is also shown--as apparently the two videotaped the engagement and marriage in Vegas. While this may sound rather cold, it seemed pretty obvious that the marriage was doomed--as her fiancé just seemed rather immature and, at times, surly.
"The Incredible Hulk" Joseph McQueen is very unusual in that once he came to California, he really, really struggled--so much so that he was living on the streets. This is very sad but fortunately by the time the film is complete, there is some hope that Joseph will make it--though it's still a long road. He seemed to have far less screen time than the others.
While all these people were struggling, they also had very interesting stories to tell. And, like most good documentaries, the film makers just let them talk--without narration. The film was very poignant, as I found myself being emotionally pulled into their stories--and this surprised me. Some of this was probably due to their vulnerability, some because I wanted to see if Batman was put in jail or hospitalized and part of it because the film really managed to make seemingly dull people interesting. I teach psychology and history at an arts school and am strongly considering using it as a teaching aid for my psyc class AND to warn the many budding actors I teach about the dedication and sacrifices they'll need to make if they choose a career in acting.
I strongly recommend that documentary lovers see this film. It's well constructed, interesting and hard to forget. About the only negative is that when the film ends, you really want to hear more about them. I would love to see an update sometime--perhaps they can do a sequel or some special features on a DVD about this.
"Superman" Christopher Dennis is by far the most dedicated to his role--eating, drinking and thinking like the Man of Steel. It is not just acting for this man but he IS Superman, as he won't smoke in costume in front of people (though oddly he will in front of the camera)and goads other characters along the strip to not smoke in front of the fans. His apartment is covered in Superman memorabilia and all his energy is devoted to being the character. While all say they want to get more lucrative jobs in Hollywood, this guy seems most content to be exactly who he is now--and he's done so for many years. He is probably the most fascinating of the four mostly because he's so obsessed. He's also interesting because he claims to be the son of actress Sandy Dennis, though her family is adamant that he is NOT! He seems like a heck of a nice guy--though, of course, strange!
"Batman" Maxwell Allen is probably the most interesting psychologically. While Christopher is very, very obsessed and odd, Maxwell seems to be on the verge of killing someone or at least making others think he will--as he's filled with hostility, loves guns, and talks about how many people "need a beat down". He also seems to be a very unreliable historian when recounting his life. He talks about having had "special forces training" as well as alludes to working for the mob, having killed someone and having black belts in several martial arts--though even his wife admits that "only about 50% of what he says is true". When he shows up in the film at a psychiatrist's office to discuss his anger, he appears in costume--and, interestingly, the therapist seems non-plussed.
"Wonderwoman" Jennifer Wenger seems like she's the most likely to have a career in film, as her tryouts go well and she has the looks to make it. Her life in rural Tennessee is discussed and unlike the other three, you get to see her parents and they get to talk a bit on film. Her marriage is also shown--as apparently the two videotaped the engagement and marriage in Vegas. While this may sound rather cold, it seemed pretty obvious that the marriage was doomed--as her fiancé just seemed rather immature and, at times, surly.
"The Incredible Hulk" Joseph McQueen is very unusual in that once he came to California, he really, really struggled--so much so that he was living on the streets. This is very sad but fortunately by the time the film is complete, there is some hope that Joseph will make it--though it's still a long road. He seemed to have far less screen time than the others.
While all these people were struggling, they also had very interesting stories to tell. And, like most good documentaries, the film makers just let them talk--without narration. The film was very poignant, as I found myself being emotionally pulled into their stories--and this surprised me. Some of this was probably due to their vulnerability, some because I wanted to see if Batman was put in jail or hospitalized and part of it because the film really managed to make seemingly dull people interesting. I teach psychology and history at an arts school and am strongly considering using it as a teaching aid for my psyc class AND to warn the many budding actors I teach about the dedication and sacrifices they'll need to make if they choose a career in acting.
I strongly recommend that documentary lovers see this film. It's well constructed, interesting and hard to forget. About the only negative is that when the film ends, you really want to hear more about them. I would love to see an update sometime--perhaps they can do a sequel or some special features on a DVD about this.