Confessions of a Superhero – A Review

We have in our possession, a Roku box, which will stream Netflix movies instantly to our movie screen.  I was on the Netflix website, adding a few documentaries I wanted to see when I came across Confessions of a Superhero.  We have a family love of Superheroes so there was no way we could turn it down.

Confessions of a Superhero is a documentary by Matt Ogens.  Along with producers Jaime Patricof and Charlie Gruet, he paints a portrait of the lives of 4 unique people trying to make it in Hollywood.  The only thing they seem to have in common is that they make their money dressing up as Superheroes on Hollywood Boulevard and pose for photos with tourists in hopes of receiving tips.

Christopher Dennis who dresses as Superman, claims to be the son of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf actress, Sandy Dennis (although her family denies it).  He says she really wanted him to carry on the family business of acting and that’s what keeps him going.  Truly the most endearing story of the four, Christopher has a loveable, oddball personality who seems to embody Superman’s principles while on the street.  He is patient and kind and probably the most knowledgeable Superman historian ever.  His tiny Hollywood apartment is a museum of superhero memorabilia worth more than the house I live in. As if that wasn’t enough, he looks uncannily like Christopher Reeve.

Jennifer Garrett, former prom queen, homecoming queen, and cheerleader came to Hollywood in hopes of making it big.  At first glance she’s the poster child social popularity. Maximus Allen, a George Clooney look alike came into his profession by accident, and talks cryptically about his shady past.  North Carolina native, Joe McQueen sold his Super-Nintendo for a bus ticket and spent 4 years homeless on the streets of Hollywood.  He receives big news while cameras are rolling.

Interviews with Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president, Johnny Grant, honorary mayor of Hollywood, and Stan Lee, American comic book writer (among other things) question whether the people that dress up in costume should be allowed to make work for themselves or not.  While it is legal within legal parameters, (staying on public property, not being aggressive, not requiring tips) some believe that the characters are nothing more than pan-handlers.

A perfect composition of idiosyncratic lives, a playful soundtrack, and the allure of the Hollywood dream.  Confessions of a Superhero brings together four similar lives and focuses on four peculiar individuals.  I definitely recommend this documentary for anyone like me, that finds people who manage to escape the status quo (possibly through no fault of their own), just completely fascinating.