A touching and funny play about 20-somethings graduating into a world thats sold them down the river. Joeys got a first-class degree; 20k worth of debt and works in a pub. Shunned by the world; rejected by her estranged father; she finds herself falling in love with an idealistic young American It is young; full of spluttering energy and has a real fire in its belly about the need to retain your optimism in a cruel world Hickson really is a little bit special - Guardian Terrific poignant freshness; Sam and Joey too seem like iconic figures for our time; caught between light and dark; life and death; cynicism and faith; and full of a life-force - an impressive follow-up to Eight. - Scotsman
#2015641 in eBooks 2014-10-09 2014-10-09File Name: B00OCHBNH6
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I got this book because I have always loved Kazans workBy 60gramI got this book because I have always loved Kazans work; esp. "Splender in the Grass"; for example. He was a brave man; and has paid the price; as Hollywood nitt vwits shunned when when he was presented an award at the Oscars a few years ago. Obviously; they need to buy an book on the Verona Files and see they know nothing about the Hollywood 10! This was a man who really could sense how a film should be made.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Detailed Critics AnalysisBy Rick SpellIve been fascinated by Kazan since the Ed Harris/Nick Nolte boycott of his 1999 Oscar. Why; 50 years later; would people still hold a grudge for naming names? Is it politics; animosity or stupidity?But first; this book gives a complete chronological analysis of his career. From his low level involvement with "The Group"; a self-contained theater group with strong communist influences; to his first movie directorial debut. Kazan started as an undistinguished worker and grew to an "actors director". This is overlaid with his involvement as a Communist and early disenchantment. Later; he is called before the committee after his great success and names former stage communists with whom he worked. The initial negative input dies down and he goes on to some of his best work including the classic; "On the Waterfront".This book will have great appeal for movie and stage historians as it really is it is an in-depth analysis. But the main appeal to me was understanding the hysteria of the Red scare and why 50 years later it would elicit such a negative response. This book demonstrates the artists coming out of the depression influence when faith in capitalism weakened. The growth of fascism heightened the "sales pitch" to this new theory of a great life for all; communism. But; as was later proven; communism had weaknesses also causing many Americans to experiment with a form of government that was cruel and a rival of America.Its impossible to determine how difficult it was for Kazan to name names. While he lost some friends; his career continued very successfully for some time before it faltered as it does for most in show business after a good run. But 50 years later an honor becomes a media event as modern day left-leaning actors chose to make this an issue. Interestingly; some actors such as Robert Di Nero; Martin Scorcese and Warren Beatty supported and honored Kazan. They had worked with him early in their career. I dont fault Nolte/Harris. In the prism of todays world; its easy to ostracize a snitch. But the issue is much more complex than that. Our world was in turmoil. Decisions were made. Lives were changed on both sides. Kazan became an opponent of Communism but chose to focus on his career. Not naming names of known communists would have probably ruined his career.In summary; this is an exhaustive critical study of his work. Frankly; the study is so exhaustive that that is the weakness. This book will be most appealing to true movie and stage history buffs. Also; those with a curiosity into the Red Scare and 1950s American history such as me will receive great information. Other than that; be forewarned this is a long time consuming educational book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Important view of American cultureBy Garth JowettA major work which locates Kazan in American culture in mid-century.
