Customer Reviews

FILM FLAM: Essays on Hollywood

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It is difficult to review a book that is actually a collection of essays of different types, each with a unique but loosely connected subject matter and purpose (although one might argue that the disparity itself demonstrates a lack of congruity and goal-direction). Yet, taken as a whole Film-Flam does have as its unifying them or centrality a general negativity toward Hollywood and the film industry in general. I have mentioned before that in many ways I prefer McMurtry's non-fiction over fiction, with its definite opinions and truthfulness about people. Film Flam, unlike McMurty's other books, has a depth of thought, morality, and an unusually complex vocabulary that makes it a more challenging read than expected.

I especially enjoyed the essays on books turned into movies, and I think I enjoyed (the verdict may still be out on this) the essay on his weekend at the movies at Times Square. Especially intriguing were the erudite moments of philosophy on art and truth and the sad, but also rather humorous descriptions of the banal activities found in Hollywood. Ironically, McMurtry remains fairly self-critical of his own books, a humility not often found among popular writers, and somewhat pragmatic about his own place in the literary world. These elements jump out pretty regularly in Film Flam, making it a kind of brutal and honest diatribe of movies and people's reactions to them.

What I am wrestling with is why I didn't really enjoy this book that much? What should and could have been an opportunity to reveal secrets of the film industry, and a hard, edgy realistic look at exploitation of writers, actors, producers, and audience members seemed to be simply a series of McMurtry opinions that while fascinating in their own right, have a quality of disconnect without profundity.

Still, in spite of its disappointments, it is worth reading and rather fun in a dark, cynical way.

Very pleased with purchase. Many thanks and hope to do business with you again in the future.
Regards
Derek Wilkinson