Confessions of a Superhero (2007)

100% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(2,822 ratings)

Four mere mortals adapt the personas of their favorite superhero characters, and filmmaker Matt Ogens chronicles the lives and ambitions of this curious quartet in a documentary that explores the allure of fame on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. Being a superhero isn't as easy as it appears in… More Four mere mortals adapt the personas of their favorite superhero characters, and filmmaker Matt Ogens chronicles the lives and ambitions of this curious quartet in a documentary that explores the allure of fame on the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Matthew Ogens
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Nov 2, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jan 22, 2008
Studio: SnagFilms

Critic Reviews

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
A detailed portrait of these societal eccentrics, which, while not neglecting their obvious personal problems, is clearly sympathetic.
Matt Zoller Seitz, New York Times
The empathetic tone draws you in and some of the details are devastating.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
You've just found one of this week's hidden treasures.
Peter Debruge, Variety
Ogens ventures beyond sideshow condescension, striking a tone that ought to entice specialty auds.
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
In its own inimitably strange way, Confessions of a Superhero is an inspirational tale.
Robert Wilonsky, Village Voice
...what could have been a condescending descent into bottom-feeding turns into a loving, often heartbreaking portrait of decent people trying to scrape by.
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
Very interesting look into people i didn't even know existed
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
Sad to say, but this futile foursome should consider themselves lucky just to be the subject of this picture.
Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters
In Hollywood, accommodating expectations%u2014looking the part%u2014is a first step. Toward what? That's a question the provocative, respectful, and enthralling Confessions leaves open.
Brian Orndorf, eFilmCritic.com
A mesmerizing, revealing look at Hollywood's bottom layer, as well as an assertive snapshot of desperation...one of the best documentaries I've seen this year.
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine
Both touching and amusing, these four embody the spirit of Hollywood, "a place where dreams are made and dreams are broken."
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
Fun to watch primarily because, when not waiting tables, auditioning or appearing in a movie's mob scene, these actors actually spend most of their time in superhero costumes, not on stage, but on the street.
Eric Kohn, New York Press
Confessions doesn't condescend or mock its subjects because they're such natural entertainers that no audience pandering is necessary.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Melvin W

"We do work for tips" I really didn't expect to like Confessions of a Superhero but the question of why anyone would want to dress up like a superhero and walk around a street really sucked me in. The film looks at four specific people. The characters they portray are… More
"We do work for tips" I really didn't expect to like Confessions of a Superhero but the question of why anyone would want to dress up like a superhero and walk around a street really sucked me in. The film looks at four specific people. The characters they portray are Superman, Batman, The Hulk and Wonderwoman. All of them came to LA in order to try to be successful actors. None of them have quite made it, so they continue to walk the Boulevard, taking pictures with tourist for little to no money. The film is interesting, sad and funny. Each person has their own unique backstory which really make for an interesting documentary. The most interesting backstory is that of Superman. He claims to be the son of Sandy Dennis; a famous actress who won an Oscar for her supporting role in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." The controversy is that Sandy never told her family she had a son and the Dennis family claims he's not Sandy's son. Batman also has a unique story that is hard to believe, but hey you never know. He claims to be somewhat of a "gangster." Sort of in the area of The Godfather. The Hulks and Wonderwoman's backstories aren't quite as interesting, but they are the likable ones. Superman and Batman just came off as complete freaks. The Hulks story is pretty sad and Wonderwoman's story is pretty generic; young girl wants to be actress, so she moves to LA. When the movie is funny, it's also a little sad too. Most of the time it's funny when Superman is onscreen. This guy is completely immersed in Superman and it's a little sickening. Overall it's a very entertaining documentary. The hour and a half flew by and I was actually surprised when the credits started to roll. It felt like I just started watching.
_kelly .

It's just astounding. I really have no more to say. I live for documentaries that select intriguing people in situations so absurd that they could only be real. This is one such film.
Jason S

A really good look into the lives of the people just trying to make it in the movie business from the lower levels. The film is really well made and the colors are great. I like the differences of the people they focus on. I was a little suprised that I found myself liking… More
A really good look into the lives of the people just trying to make it in the movie business from the lower levels. The film is really well made and the colors are great. I like the differences of the people they focus on. I was a little suprised that I found myself liking Wonder Woman and the Hulk more than Superman and Batman. There were a couple of parts for Superman and Batman that I thought were a little awkward and embarrassing to watch. I think both of them have a few issues that need to be worked out. I'll point out this flick the next time my wife says I have a Superman collecting problem.
James A

This documentary shows what you would expect the life of these people to be. While its semi interesting I wish they went more in depth with the individual people.
danny d

this is an exceptional documentary. its astounding that one film can hit on so many themes so well without feeling confused or incoherent. the film details super hero fandom, the grind of the film industry, human pain and suffering, anger, dillusion, the nature of publicity, short… More
this is an exceptional documentary. its astounding that one film can hit on so many themes so well without feeling confused or incoherent. the film details super hero fandom, the grind of the film industry, human pain and suffering, anger, dillusion, the nature of publicity, short sighted fame, and the search for the american dream. i was sad when the film ended because i realized that the people chronicled were searching for something that they believed would fill a hole in their hearts, and it seems they were looking in the wrong places. really a wonderful film.
Daniel H

A beautifully made, well-executed, occasionally heart-wrenching, oftentimes awkward story about a group of people you'd never give a second notice. Well, they definitely deserve that second notice, and this documentary manages to coax out of an amazingly difficult and odd… More
A beautifully made, well-executed, occasionally heart-wrenching, oftentimes awkward story about a group of people you'd never give a second notice. Well, they definitely deserve that second notice, and this documentary manages to coax out of an amazingly difficult and odd subject a thoroughly captivating and honest story.
Christopher H

An in-depth look into the psychosis of four individuals that have chosen to be superhero attractions on Hollywood Boulevard. There is an emotional quality, character study to this film that is unmatched by any documentary before it.
Andrew F

The documentary Confessions of a Superhero is a mediocre film at best, and at times it often feels forced and fake. But it was entertaining nonetheless, and I was particularly intrigued with Wonder Woman's story.
Aurelius D

It's about a bunch of people that monologue about their lives trying to earn money walking up and down a street dressed as comic heroes. You see their lives and their drama and I guess it's suppose to get you emotionally invested but honestly I can't see anyone really… More
It's about a bunch of people that monologue about their lives trying to earn money walking up and down a street dressed as comic heroes. You see their lives and their drama and I guess it's suppose to get you emotionally invested but honestly I can't see anyone really needing to see this movie. Listening to people complain about their lives is what friends and family are for.
Wu C

Worth a watch. Wonder-Woman is beautiful.
Keith M

Not what I was expecting at all. A very tragic and depressing documentary, but entertaining all around

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

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