Our Rating:
Library Formats:
Book, eBook, eAudiobook
Age Group:
Adult
Genre:
Historical Fiction, Humour
I picked up this book because I love films and I read Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks (short stories) last year but was underwhelmed by it.
This, Hanks first novel, is also a bit lacklustre. It describes in detail how a movie is put together, (which I found interesting, what exactly is a Grip?) from its first stirring in a comic from the 1940’s to its explosive opening weekend. The issue is not the movie, or Hanks obvious joy in it’s creation, the issue are the people. In defter hands, the characters would be more nuanced but instead the director is a genius maverick who always says the right thing, the leading lady a down to earth “proper” actress, who zips off in her Cirrus plane when she’s feeling a bit blue and her co-star a method actor who has replaced a difficult star as the male lead. But that’s all they are, there’s no irony, no self reflection. The make up, special effects and props team are all name checked and appreciated but they’re all just too nice! No problem that cannot be fixed if a list is made, no person who cannot be reasoned with.
And we know, Hanks reputation is as the nicest man on the planet, but surely even he realises Hollywood is filled with egomaniacs and lunatics, I would have really liked to have seen a couple of them in his pages.