We all have dreams that we would like to see become a reality one day. Something almost grandiose for our own good, but dreams that seem so real to us that we can make them a reality. It seems attainable and possible that it could happen to us. Dreams are made every day somewhere in the world and why not my dream? Why not something that I want in life becoming a reality? We think about them daily, some people make a list of goals to get to that dream job or car or lifestyle. We can the small steps to hopefully achieve the outlandish dream we have built up in our minds. Some can achieve those dreams, others well, dreams are dreams for a purpose. In relation to movies, some of us had dreams of becoming the next best thing. A leading actor or actress, a director or successful writer, all glorious dreams. There are people who have achieved that and there are some that haven’t. Maybe their time will come some day or maybe it will leave them behind as time slips away. Confessions of a Superhero is a documentary that explores the lives of those who come to Hollywood in hopes of their dreams coming true. Instead of making it big in Hollywood movies, they are left dressing up as these larger than life characters in front of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It heartbreaking to know that their dreams are right beneath their feet.
Being a superhero isn’t as easy as it appears in the flickering light of a darkened theater, but sometimes on the Walk of Fame it feels that anything is possible. Joe McQueen‘s journey began when he sold his Super Nintendo for a bus ticket to Hollywood and assumed the identity of The Incredible Hulk. Meanwhile, much like the character of Bruce Wayne, Maxwell Allen struggles with anger issues while assuming the guise of Gotham crime-fighter Batman. Now far from her former days as a Midwest beauty queen, Jennifer Gehrt walks the city streets dressed as whip-wielding do-gooder Wonder Woman. Some days, it seems that Christopher Dennis’ every thought is consumed by how the character of Superman, whose cape he dons on a daily basis, would react to the chaos of Tinseltown. From mere fascination to all-consuming obsession, each one of these everyday superheroes are forced balance their own identities with the personas of the characters they portray as they struggle to achieve fame in a town where heroes are cheap, and stars come priced at a dime a dozen. – Jason Buchanan, Rovi
A part of me wonders how common their shared tales are. I mean people move out to Hollywood to make it big, but only so many really make it. Their stories aren’t tragic by any means, but it is sad to see them struggle with the reality that they might not make it in Hollywood. Some embrace their situation, bringing joy to the tourists that come to the Walk of Fame, trying to catch a glimpse of that Hollywood sparkle. The stories of their past and current predicament are endearing. While I felt some sadness for their dreams not coming true, the underlying current of optimism amongst their situation is inspiring. You can’t give up on what you want, rather you learn to adapt.
What makes this memorable is that we get an intimate view of the four subjects, a manner in which they often seek in their hopes to become famous. There is a sense of irony though, they are being interviewed for a documentary that is about the lives of the street performers who hope to make it big in Hollywood. Aside from that notion, the documentary is honest in the portrayal of the four subjects. They are real people hoping to make it big one day and their lives aren’t as glamorous as they hoped.
The movie can seem a bit down sometimes, what with us getting a glimpse into the lives of those that struggle to become famous. But there is an honesty about their struggles in that they are putting themselves out there every day to hopefully be seen. They go out and act everyday in front of a crowd and bring some people happiness along the way or a memorable experience while the are in Hollywood. Their personalities shine behind the masks they wear everyday. It is humanizing and endearing, touching and heartfelt.
You can check out the documentary on Hulu and Netflix, which I sincerely hope you do. A very intimate documentary about real subjects and their struggles to make their dreams come true.
