A fun look at Hollywood's 'Golden Age'

Rating: 8/10 (3 September 2018)

This film gives us a look at one day in the lives of those working for a Hollywood studio in the 1950s. Mostly it focuses on fixer Eddie Mannix who links various stories involving various film stars. Most prominent amongst these are the kidnapping of Baird Whitlock, the lead in a new Biblical epic, by communists; western star Hobie Doyle being asked to appear in a classy drama which demands skills he doesn't have and actress DeeAnna Moran who is pregnant but not married. During the course of the film we also see scenes from the films the characters are making; these include a song and dance routine, a spectacular display of synchronised swimming and a comical western scene.
This film from the Cohen Brothers is part homage, part tongue-in-cheek jab at Hollywood's golden age when studios churned out westerns, made spectacular musicals and the biggest films were epics set in biblical times. The studios micromanage their stars to ensure their public images are squeaky clean and even serious failings are covered up. This is all done in a way that provides plenty of laughs; I loved Alden Ehrenreich's cowboy as he struggles in a new role as a far more sophisticated character and George Clooney's leading man, in full Roman uniform, as he is kidnapped by communists. There are some fun little twists as we learn more about the characters. The cast are clearly having fun; thankfully in a way that is fun for the audience too. The story is fairly light but that doesn't matter as it is more about the fun moments than a deep plot. Overall fans of the Cohens' lighter fare should enjoy this.