Let me start by saying I was born in Hollywood, California and I have lived in Los Angeles all of my life thus far. In my childhood I would watch movies and hear about "Hollywood" in all its magic and glory and wonder, are we thinking about the same Hollywood? Are they SURE its the one I live in? Hollywood has always been home to me, but a home with a lot of putrescence and perversion. Yet in all its filth, and believe me it is FILTHY, I still love it...I love the movies and I believe that Hollywood was once magical, was once a place like no other. And sometimes if you block out the bothersome aspects of Hollywood, it still is. Jimmy Alto's and William's idealism in trying to make a difference in a city they love is something I immediately related to and deeply appreciated.

I love Christian Slater as William; he is such a strange but sweet character, so pleasantly lost, and Slater's portrayal is delightful.

For anyone who loves Hollywood, and movies in general, this film is a must.

Written and directed by Barry Levinson, this is a film with some amusing moments, but its pace is plodding and it feels too derivative.

Joe Pesci plays Jimmy Alto, a self-described actor who takes odd jobs and lives a life dedicated to the movies, celebrating stars like Cagney and Brando. Jimmy is similar to (My Cousin) Vinny in temperament and behavior. Christian Slater plays William, Jimmy's best friend, who is reserved and somewhat backward, presumably due to brain damage. William is similar to the role of Adam in "Untamed Heart". Both of those films, which came just before this production, were better vehicles. And they both starred Marisa Tomei.

Jimmy sees himself as a method actor, dedicated to his craft, but he can't land a part. That's similar to Dustin Hoffman's role in "Tootsie", which Barry Levinson is connected to by some uncredited writing. The similarity does not end there.

Jimmy's girlfriend is played by Victoria Abril. Her part is interesting, but rather small.

Levinson channels his love of cinema and its history, which makes for some interesting moments, especially if you share his passion. But the film never becomes more than a curiosity and its ending is anticlimactic.

I could not believe the 5* rating on a Barry Levinson movie, and I'm glad I did't. What we have here is unique in its kind movie about nature of fame and success in Hollywood. Jimmy is a bad actor and full on naive romantic trying to get a role in all the wrong ways he can imagine. Being bored to death he starts a vigilante joke on LAPD that goes too far, as he finds himself unable to adapt to the world he is living in. Film is very well written and shot, the only beef i have with it is that it's too slow. Unnecessary slow. Barry was trying to give it something like a dark|tragic side. He did not exactly succeed, but it's not a problem. Jimmy Hollywood is smart and funny, super rewarding for patient and observant viewer. I can only explain 5* rating by unlikabilaty of Jimmys character. Also it is a role of bad actor played by bad actor. Yet, it, somehow, all works! Believe me or not.