Confessions of a Superhero

The documentary “Confessions of a Superhero” takes viewers into themind of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Hulk — but not in theway you might think. The film looks at the superheroes that populate Hollywood Boulevard,outside Graumann’s Chinese Theater. Christopher Dennis, who resembles athinner Christopher Reeve, portrays Superman, officially licensed by noone, taking pictures for tips. But he follows a strict code of ethics,at one point informing a newcomer posing as Ghost Rider of the rules ofbeing a costumed character. Dennis is obsessed with Superman, and hisapartment is crammed with Super-memorabilia. The other characters aren’t as obsessed with their characters, but they have their own eccentricities.

Maxwell Allan, who plays Batman, has a resemblance to George Clooneyand says that has kept him from getting other roles. He battles angerissues and claims a dark past, but his wife says she believes “about 50percent” of what he says. Joe McQueen, an aspiring actor who was formerly homeless, wears thesweltering Hulk outfit in 100-plus degree weather. He continues toaudition, hoping to land a role that doesn’t have his face covered in agiant green grimace.

Jennifer Gehrt is a Tennessee bombshell who dreamed of making it inLos Angeles. While she attempts commercial auditions and works on hermarriage, by day she’s the Wonder Woman of Hollywood Boulevard.

Despite the performers’ baggage and the quirkiness of theirprofession, the dreams of these four people shared in this visuallyinteresting and compelling documentary are arresting and real.

— Matthew Price