The Ishtar of Books: Why Peter Biskind's Warren Beatty Bio Stalled
Haven't gotten around to reading Star, Peter Biskind's biography of Warren Beatty? Better question: Hadn't even realized it exists? Well, you're not alone. The industry-anticipated book has bombed with regular readers since its release in a way that recalls Ishtar or Town and Country. So what happened? Look no further than the introduction.
As Biskind writes there: "Why Warren Beatty? It's distressing to have to make a case for his importance just because no one under forty (maybe fifty?) knows who he is." But, hey, here's 630 pages on the guy!
There are other reasons for the lack of interest Star generated -- the book's over-reliance on decades old sexual conquests, the fact that most of Beatty's directorial stories end with him pulling a David Fincher on-set, his seemingly unending supply of narcissism -- but when the last movie that anyone actually saw him in was Bullworth back 1998 -- no, 2001's Town and Country doesn't count -- and that's a problem. No wonder Betty White and Joan Rivers take whatever parts they can get, from Comedy Central Roasts to Snickers commercials: If you're out of sight, you're out of mind.
Of course, maybe Beatty's reclusive nature is just method preparation for his long-time dream project about the final years of Howard Hughes. If you see Annette Benning hoarding mason jars, you'll know why.
· Biskind Beatty Bio Bombs: Why? [Thompson on Hollywood]
Subscribe to the new Movieline on YouTube
Comments
630 pages of Beatty?
If you read Robert Sellers “Hollywood Hellraisers: The Wild Lives and Fast Times of Marlon Brando, Dennis Hopper, Warren Beatty, and Jack Nicholson” the sections which cover Beatty are fascinating especially when woven into context with the other actors mentioned to paint a picture of how their careers crossed over as well as certain personal escapades. But 630 pages of just Beatty would be too much even if he was still in the lime light making movies.
I don't really understand the Joan Rivers dig. That seems a little mean-spirited and random (not to mention ill-informed). There is a documentary on Joan being released later this summer, which is getting great notices on the festival circuit. She's also never claimed to be anything more than she is...a comedian, a host and one hell of an entrepreneur.
I don't really understand the Joan Rivers dig. That seems a little mean-spirited and random (not to mention ill-informed). There is a documentary on Joan being released later this summer, which is getting great notices on the festival circuit. She's also never claimed to be anything more than she is...a comedian, a host and one hell of an entrepreneur.
Yep, I saw the documentary and loved it. And that was the point: She's an entrepreneur; Beatty is a recluse. He would have been wise to follow her path.
It's time for a Criterion DVD release of SHAMPOO to refocus attention on Beatty the auteur instead of Beatty as star who hung on to his stardom far too long for his own good.
I'm 47. Think Beatty is the bee's knees.
I couldn't put it down. Loved it.