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Title details for Robert Redford by Michael Feeney Callan - Available

Robert Redford

The Biography

by Michael Feeney Callan
Mark Deakins
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
The long-anticipated biography of Robert Redford.
Among the most widely admired Hollywood stars of his generation, Redford has appeared onstage and on-screen, in front of and behind the camera, earning Academy, Golden Globe, and a multitude of other awards and nominations for acting, directing, and producing, and for his contributions to the arts. His Sundance Film Festival transformed the world of filmmaking; his films defined a generation. America has come to know him as the Sundance Kid, Bob Woodward, Johnny Hooker, Jay Gatsby, and Roy Hobbs. But only now, with this revelatory biography, do we see the surprising and complex man beneath the Hollywood façade.
From Redford’s personal papers—journals, script notes, correspondence—and hundreds of hours of taped interviews, Michael Feeney Callan brings the legendary star into focus. Here is his scattered family background and restless childhood, his rocky start in acting, the death of his son, his star-making relationship with director Sydney Pollack, the creation of Sundance, his political activism, his artistic successes and failures, his friendships and romances. This is a candid, surprising portrait of a man whose iconic roles on-screen (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All the President’s Men, The Natural) and directorial brilliance (Ordinary People, Quiz Show) have both defined and obscured one of the most celebrated, and, until now, least understood, public figures of our time.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    November 17, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781415966846
      • File size: 505321 KB
      • Duration: 17:32:45

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This comprehensive cataloging of 14 years of research on Redford's life--before, during, and after he was at the top of the heap as a sought-after lead actor--is unsatisfying for its lack of true insights into his character. Callan is nearly reverential toward Redford, having had singular access to the actor's journals, notes, and correspondence, along with hours of recorded interviews. Mark Deakins's straightforward narration is composed, layered, and sincere. But the work is overstuffed and makes digressions frequently. Deakins does his best to rise above the myriad details to portray a stubborn and tyrannical egotist who ultimately emerges as a gifted actor, director, and producer. Patient listeners will learn much about Redford's life, career, and worldview. W.A.G. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      June 27, 2011
      Over his 50 year career, Robert Redford has become one of the most iconic names in the celebrity landscape. Admired for his work as an actor, director, and environmental activist, Redford has filled many roles. In Callan's biography, the scope of Redford's life and career are put into perspective, from his reckless childhood in Southern California to his attempt at college, theatrical training in New York, and slow rise to success. Throughout Redford is painted as a sincere artist, thoughtful man, and stubborn individualist. Callan does a superb job making readers feel like they're getting a special glimpse inside the mind of a superstar. However, the book quickly becomes repetitive. Redford seeks artistic validation/runs up against necessary commercial compromise: he rebels/he succeeds. While this is interesting in small doses, Callan goes into detail about nearly every single picture Redford was involved with. This is great for staunch fans, but a test of patience for everyone else. Redford is an excellent subject but Callan wagers that readers will be interested in every single time Sundance nearly went bankrupt, and at almost 500 pages, that's a dangerous wager.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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