This film feels like a collection of stories about Hollywood. It begins with depictions of wild parties, filled with excess and fueled by drugs and casual encounters—a scene where even an elephant seems appropriate for a movie mogul’s celebration. We are introduced to three central figures who guide us through the chaotic events. There's Manny (Diego Calva), a young man who is initially naive but proves resourceful enough to catch the eye of Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), a well-established and previously married silent film star. Simultaneously, Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie) pursues an acting career with ambition and uninhibited behavior, constantly seeking attention through dancing and provocative actions. What follows is a skillfully made and genuinely entertaining story about the ups and downs of these three characters' lives—how their success inevitably leads to failure, just as predictably as day follows night. Robbie gives a superb performance, portraying a character who seems unprepared for the path she’s so determined to follow. Pitt also performs well; his character doesn't offer many shocking moments, but his storyline effectively demonstrates how fleeting fame can be—appearing and disappearing in what feels like an instant. Then there's Calva, whose character is initially more grounded as he falls in love and ultimately attempts to resist the inevitable, much like King Canute! Tobey Maguire provides a peculiar contribution, alongside appearances by an alligator and someone described as a “rat-eater.” Jean Smart also steals several scenes—particularly toward the end—as Elinor St. John, a gossip journalist reminiscent of Hedda Hopper; she may be the only genuinely honest person in the entire movie. The film is a playful tribute to cinema itself, set against the backdrop of the transition to sound pictures, and frequently showcases the chaotic lifestyles as everyone adjusted and struggled to stay relevant when audiences’ tastes shifted rapidly. It incorporates elements from Cecil B DeMille to Baz Luhrmann, offering criticism of the self-important theatrical performers from the East Coast and highlighting the superficiality of the industry—yet it never forgets that these are still people, human beings! One could imagine Kenneth Anger having influenced the script; it's possible everything depicted is true. It’s perhaps a bit lengthy and occasionally loses momentum, but it’s definitely an experience best suited for the big screen, offering strong performances that aren't overly reliant on—and even humorously illustrating—how films were made before CGI existed. There’s no reason to wait for this to appear on television; it deserves to be seen in a cinema.

Source on TMDB