Netflix's Hollywood: Season 1 Review

This is a mostly spoiler-free review of Netflix's Hollywood. All 7 episodes are available to stream worldwide. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ryan Murphy has long been one of the industry's most prolific creators, and he shows no sign of slowing down after his reported $300 million deal with Netflix. Over the past decade, Murphy has become synonymous with creating provocative series like FX's American Horror Story franchise, as well as thought-provoking (and Emmy winning) historical dramas under his American Crime Story banner (The People v. O.J. Simpson, Versace). With Hollywood, Murphy (along with frequent collaborator Ian Brennan) brings his storytelling talents to post-World War II Tinseltown, creating a lavish backdrop for his intriguing - but flawed - alternative history tale about a group of aspiring actors and filmmakers looking to make it big at all costs. The series definitely looks the part thanks to its authentic sets, music, and costumes, which really showcase the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's golden age. Murphy proves once again that he knows how to create engaging characters thanks to an impressive ensemble - with each character offering a unique glimpse into Hollywood's social and political spheres, from the very poor to the extravagantly rich. And for a limited series with only seven episodes, Murphy is able to accomplish quite a bit of character development in Hollywood's early episodes, although the show becomes weirdly disinterested in exploring their arcs in the back half of the season, preferring easy and convenient plot contrivances instead of actual growth. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=hollywood-season-1-gallery&captions=true"] One of the characters you'll follow in Hollywood is David Corenswet's Jack Castello, a handsome, dreamy-eyed farm boy who wants to be the next big-screen icon. After receiving multiple rejections from the studios, Jack gets desperate and starts working at a gigolo gas station owned by Dylan Mcdermott's Ernie. One of Jack's first clients is Avis Amberg (portrayed by Patti LuPone), a former actress who's now in a loveless relationship with the head of a prominent Hollywood studio. Sure, their first sexual encounter is a bit on the awkward side, but Murphy gives Avis a poignant backstory and a reason for cheating on her husband beyond Jack's good looks. There's a sadness to her that's palpable and really pulls you in thanks to a commanding performance from LuPone. Murphy is also particularly interested in exploring Hollywood's perception of race and sexual identity throughout the series. Two other characters who enter Jack's orbit are Jeremy Pope's Archie and Jake Picking's Rock Hudson (yes, that Rock Hudson). But since this is an alternate history, Hudson's life plays out a bit differently than you may remember. In this particular storyline, Murphy is attempting to examine what Hollywood might have looked like if an openly gay actor wasn't afraid to show his affection towards his boyfriend in public. It's a fascinating premise that's never fully explored since Murphy ends his tale before the viewer gets to see the aftermath. If Hollywood were set up for a multi-season run then perhaps we might look forward to seeing how this alternate history plays out, but since we know this is a limited series with no sequel in sight (for now), the series fails to make a lasting impact when it swings for social commentary. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/05/01/new-to-netflix-for-may-2020"] That's not to say that the time spent with Archie and Rock isn't memorable. Archie's drive to become the first African-American writer to win an Oscar is an engaging underdog story. Pope imbues his character with plenty of charm and moxie, proving he's not afraid to let the world know who he loves and what's on his mind. In contrast, Picking's portrayal of Hudson is much more reserved but no less effective as the muscle-bound Midwesterner struggles to come to terms with his sexuality. Together, Archie and Rock are a watchable pair whose story feels shortchanged by the time the credits roll. The rest of Murphy's troupe each have their moments to shine, like Jim Parson's Henry Wilson, an ambitious Hollywood agent who uses Rock's trusting nature against him. After watching the former Big Bang Theory star play the role of a goofy nerd for nearly a decade, seeing him as the villain takes some getting used to, but Parsons nails it. There's also Anna May Wong (Michelle Krusiec), another historical figure who's not as well known as many of her white counterparts, but was considered to be the first Chinese-American movie star. Murphy uses his ability to alter history in order to give Wong the recognition she was denied during her time. But like so many of the other plotlines throughout Hollywood, we're (probably) never going to see how all of the radical changes Murphy makes are going to play out. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/30/5-reasons-theres-hope-for-an-office-reunion"]