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.
ยท Biskind Beatty Bio Bombs: Why? [Thompson on Hollywood]