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Goldman Strikes Back
Date of Review: Feb 6, 2000
William Goldman is one of the most accomplished screenwriters in history, including seminal works like BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, MARATHON MAN, MISERY, and THE PRINCESS BRIDE. He's also a brilliant comedic essayist, a film buff and studio insider who uses his formidable skills and comic timing to expose the vulnerable soft spots of Hollywood's film machine.
His first book, ADVENTURES IN THE SCREEN TRADE, as well as his Cannes Film Festival/Miss America Pageant page turner, HYPE AND GLORY, are incredibly fun reads. Goldman breaks his discussions down into simple verbiage, and nails home many indelible truths. It can safely be argued that, after reading one of Goldman's books, you'll never watch a Hollywood movie the same way again.
His latest, THE BIG PICTURE, is a collection of essays written during the 1990's. Most of them were done for Premiere magazine, and they cover topics ranging from stardom and the Academy Awards to in-depth discussions of films like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, FARGO, FORREST GUMP, and UNFORGIVEN. It's easily the most enjoyable non-fiction book I've read in ages, a true page-turner. Goldman brings together the hidden connections of art, commerce, casting, publicity, the new global film market, and the insecurity of The Powers That Be. It's an intoxicating mix of elements...one you've got to see for yourself.
THE BIG PICTURE is a testament to Goldman's ability to analyze the inner workings of America's favorite entertainment biz. If you love sitting in a dark room and watching as the story unspools before your eyes, you've got a friend in William Goldman. Enjoy.
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