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Tom and his companions, both equally broke, are determined
to find the cash that will enable them to finance the movie
and restore their fortunes.
To gain inspiration and share a nostalgic view of their past
fame they make a nightime visit to the famed sign, high in
the Hollywood hills.
There they discover a corpse, which turns out to be a victim
of Tom's latest employer who is a mobster. Named Rodney this
hit man is sitting in a mansion with $9 million dollars, stolen
from a Las Vegas casino. The actors devise a plot to steal
this cash that literally demands the performance of their
lives, and without the right timing they are dead.
The Hollywood Sign is a movie that tries to have a beginning,
middle and an end that work. The first two do, the last one
doesn't. The filmakers have taken so much time in developing
the main characters in the story that they're left with having
to resolve it… fast.
So we're into the old 'movie within a movie' fallback option;
it's a pity it doesn't work.
In one of his last films Rod Steiger turns out a screen-dominating
performance. Burt Reynolds shucks his usual playboy image
and portrays with brilliance a super star in decline through
to down and out… 'Give me one more chance' and 'is this
my best profile?'
Tom Berenger, supposed to be the central character, can't
cut it with these two pros and in reality drops from lead
to support.
However, The Hollywood Sign is worth a look especially because
it is written and directed by two Europeans who give an alternative
viewpoint on 'Tinsel Town'.
Conclusion: Movie 75% Extras: 50%
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