Description:
Editorial Reviews
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Dunne and Didion=Gable and Lombard
I wasn't looking forward to reading this, but it turned out to be both a fascinating and funny story, as well as much more insight into author Joan Didion's life and work, which I've been following since the publication of "Slouching Toward Bethlehem." This is the story of the script that became "Up Close and Personal" as it goes through various writers, titles, and stories. But I remember the Jessica Savitch TV meltdown, and wish Hollywood would have kept hands off. Her story would have made a great movie. But Dunne, Didion's husband, who she writes about after his death in "The Year of Magical Thinking" is a writer who can tell a good story and has always been revealing about California from an outsider's perspective as much as his wife has told the story of modern California from the viewpoint of someone born there. Also interesting is the fact that the two writers begin the script because Dunne needs health insurance for heart surgery, and later his heart disease and death begins the story of Didion's great book. A delightful, ironic book even if you like Hollywood and an even better book if you hate it.
4.0 out of 5 stars very Insightful
I enjoyed it. Offered interesting insight into how screenplay writers work. Well written. A quick read if you are interested in the topic.
5.0 out of 5 stars THE REAL DEAL
Best book for screen writers on the biz.. the suits and the monster people with the checks.
3.0 out of 5 stars Monster:Living Off the Big Screen
Dunn writes a very clear picture of the emotional and professional challenges of screen writing. The machinations and cross purposes of Hollywood are artfully dissected and laced with humor. He's able to extract what were valuable lessons and gives insight to the process. The personality sketches are spot on.
5.0 out of 5 stars All good.
As described, arrived early, all around good deal. I just completed reading it.
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and enlightening
John Gregory Dunne was a journalist, a writer of non-fiction books, a novelist, and a screenwriter. As a screenwriter, he was part of a team, he and his wife Joan Didion, also a journalist and novelist. Together, they wrote some notable films, most notable perhaps was Barbra Streisand’s version of A Star Is Born. In 1988, they were approached by their friend John Foreman about doing a screenplay about the real-life TV broadcaster Jessica Savitch. This book, Monster: Living Off the Big Screen, is an account of the duo’s trials and tribulations writing that screenplay. Over eight years, they worked with several producers and Disney pictures to get a script composed that would satisfy everyone involved, a task that became even tougher when superstars Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer got onboard. Dunne put together an exhaustive analysis of this experience. During those eight years, they did countless versions of the script, quit the project over and over, got rehired, and eventually, a movie emerged called Up Close and Personal, a film that had nothing to do with Jessica Savitch, but rather was a generic romantic comedy about TV broadcasters. Monster is a fascinating look at the movie business. Dunne tells us how the process of screenwriting works, how producers work, what happens when studio lawyers get involved, and the expectations of studios coupled with the anxieties and hopes and wishes and dreams and machinations of producers. I found the book to be totally readable and enjoyable. At just a few pages over two hundred, it goes quickly, and yet when all is said and done, a satisfying story has been told, and entertaining story has been told, and an enlightening story about Hollywood has been told.
5.0 out of 5 stars This book
I loved this book so I bought it as a gift for a friend who is a writer.
5.0 out of 5 stars Ready to read about the movies!
Received this book promptly. I’m happy.
I can`t get that monster out of my mind...
This book arrived on time and its condition was as described. it is a fun read that gives an insiders view of the movie production process in the 80s and into the 90s. You get a clear picture of the hierarchy in Hollywood with stars, directors and executives at the top and writers far below but still able to look down on critics. The book is a little dispassionate and would have benefited from including more stuff about how Dunne and Joan Didion collaborated. Dunne writes with an engaging tone and is honest about why he took the job and put up with so much cr*p , not for $$$ or art, more for health iinsurance cover.
Visit the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Store
Monster: Living Off the Big Screen
AED8976
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
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Visit the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Store
Monster: Living Off the Big Screen
AED8976
Quantity:
Order today to get by 7-14 business days
Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.
Imported From: United States
At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.
Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.
If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.
Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.
All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.
While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.
Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.
BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.
All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.
All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.
Description:
Editorial Reviews
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars Dunne and Didion=Gable and Lombard
I wasn't looking forward to reading this, but it turned out to be both a fascinating and funny story, as well as much more insight into author Joan Didion's life and work, which I've been following since the publication of "Slouching Toward Bethlehem." This is the story of the script that became "Up Close and Personal" as it goes through various writers, titles, and stories. But I remember the Jessica Savitch TV meltdown, and wish Hollywood would have kept hands off. Her story would have made a great movie. But Dunne, Didion's husband, who she writes about after his death in "The Year of Magical Thinking" is a writer who can tell a good story and has always been revealing about California from an outsider's perspective as much as his wife has told the story of modern California from the viewpoint of someone born there. Also interesting is the fact that the two writers begin the script because Dunne needs health insurance for heart surgery, and later his heart disease and death begins the story of Didion's great book. A delightful, ironic book even if you like Hollywood and an even better book if you hate it.
4.0 out of 5 stars very Insightful
I enjoyed it. Offered interesting insight into how screenplay writers work. Well written. A quick read if you are interested in the topic.
5.0 out of 5 stars THE REAL DEAL
Best book for screen writers on the biz.. the suits and the monster people with the checks.
3.0 out of 5 stars Monster:Living Off the Big Screen
Dunn writes a very clear picture of the emotional and professional challenges of screen writing. The machinations and cross purposes of Hollywood are artfully dissected and laced with humor. He's able to extract what were valuable lessons and gives insight to the process. The personality sketches are spot on.
5.0 out of 5 stars All good.
As described, arrived early, all around good deal. I just completed reading it.
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and enlightening
John Gregory Dunne was a journalist, a writer of non-fiction books, a novelist, and a screenwriter. As a screenwriter, he was part of a team, he and his wife Joan Didion, also a journalist and novelist. Together, they wrote some notable films, most notable perhaps was Barbra Streisand’s version of A Star Is Born. In 1988, they were approached by their friend John Foreman about doing a screenplay about the real-life TV broadcaster Jessica Savitch. This book, Monster: Living Off the Big Screen, is an account of the duo’s trials and tribulations writing that screenplay. Over eight years, they worked with several producers and Disney pictures to get a script composed that would satisfy everyone involved, a task that became even tougher when superstars Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer got onboard. Dunne put together an exhaustive analysis of this experience. During those eight years, they did countless versions of the script, quit the project over and over, got rehired, and eventually, a movie emerged called Up Close and Personal, a film that had nothing to do with Jessica Savitch, but rather was a generic romantic comedy about TV broadcasters. Monster is a fascinating look at the movie business. Dunne tells us how the process of screenwriting works, how producers work, what happens when studio lawyers get involved, and the expectations of studios coupled with the anxieties and hopes and wishes and dreams and machinations of producers. I found the book to be totally readable and enjoyable. At just a few pages over two hundred, it goes quickly, and yet when all is said and done, a satisfying story has been told, and entertaining story has been told, and an enlightening story about Hollywood has been told.
5.0 out of 5 stars This book
I loved this book so I bought it as a gift for a friend who is a writer.
5.0 out of 5 stars Ready to read about the movies!
Received this book promptly. I’m happy.
I can`t get that monster out of my mind...
This book arrived on time and its condition was as described. it is a fun read that gives an insiders view of the movie production process in the 80s and into the 90s. You get a clear picture of the hierarchy in Hollywood with stars, directors and executives at the top and writers far below but still able to look down on critics. The book is a little dispassionate and would have benefited from including more stuff about how Dunne and Joan Didion collaborated. Dunne writes with an engaging tone and is honest about why he took the job and put up with so much cr*p , not for $$$ or art, more for health iinsurance cover.
Similar suggestions by Bolo
More from this brand
Similar items from “Comedy”
Share with
Or share with link
https://www.bolo.ae/products/U037575024K