John's Movie Musings

I love Character Studies - the kind of movies that dive deep into the twisted psyche of the protagonist and find flaws and traits that hit all too close to home. I always feel like I've grown or learned a bit about myself after watching one.

Confessions of a Superhero, while a documentary, is such a film. It follows four "superheroes" who make a living working for tips outside of Mann's Chinese Theater: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Hulk.

Superman comes across as the oddest of them all. Obsessive would be a good word. But he looks like Christopher Reeve and carries a strong moral code with him. He's portrayed as the "superhero cop," training newbies and keeping the rest of the characters within the bounds of the law.

I'm not sure what to think about Batman. He's the only guy in the world to think it's a curse to look like George Clooney. But I'm fairly certain that the life of Batman is more factual than the stories this guy told. You'll see what I mean.

Wonder Woman comes across as a sweet, innocent girl from Tennessee. She's cute and seems grounded, but I came away fearing she'll end up in the dark side of the porn industry. She's just got one of those stories.

Finally, the Hulk. He's got the worst costume, but his life is so tough that you can't help but pull for the guy.

I'm not sure how many years the cameras followed these folks, but it seemed like quite a few. So much so that I honestly feel like I know them. If I ever went to Hollywood, I'd almost be tempted to take 'em all out for a beer. Even through their quirks and oddities, or maybe because of them, these people are stripped to their simple humanity. There's a raw honesty present - even from Batman. I think that speaks to how great the director portrayed these people. Not as freaks, beggars, or losers, but as flawed humans we can all relate to.

If I had one complaint, it's that I got so engaged in the stories that I wanted a satisfying ending. Or at least, know the ending. But it's good that these stories are still being told, as are ours. I just wish mine turns out as interesting.

Grade: A-