An evaluation of filmmaking's worth in an absurd, showy package

Rating: 8/10 (25 March 2016)

"Your enjoyment of the film solely depends on your sense of humor, expectations, and background knowledge of Hollywood films of this era", framptonhollis wrote in another review. How true. I saw this movie in a Dutch theatre full of people not understanding what this was all about. Only a few laughed out loud at what I think were the right moments. Many saw a stupid story and left confused, some even angry about what they'd seen or rather not seen. My wife loves fifties flicks. I love film history, careful staging, fifties detectives, cameo appearances, references to movie and political history. All of that is in this film.
Now do a little thought experiment. Think of an independent production evaluating the value of film making. Glue the 'lockheed' scenes are together. Sure, producing atomic bombs is a more regular job than this 'circus' but there is not much 'good' in that. In the end, we find at the confession film making has a lot of good to offer.
Now project this this critical evaluation in in a lovingly restored, incredibly well-executed showy absurd fifties setting. Does it now all make sense to you, grumblers? Hope so. Because then you can smile all through this film as I did. Escaping from reality for a fine 1,5 hours. And that's exactly what it's made for.