Book Review: ‘The Making of Another Modern Motion Picture Masterpiece,’ by Tom Hanks
“Sure, she wants to make a bed with a decent man at the right time, but the time is never the right time!” Speak directly (hankish). “Not a chap”
Encouraged to be called “Al” because of sexism, the assistant mastered the time management system “LISTeN.” I was hired after ordering my favorite frozen food. Yogurt. (Pomodoro technique, move on.) Then there’s Ynez Gonzalez-Cruz. A Lyft competitor, he is a PONY driver. She becomes obsessed with her camp on the “Knightshade” base and eventually gets her own office. The gig economy, the salary of “rich jokes.”
It would remind us that filmmaking could be on the upswing, not in the depressing new climate change way, but in the old optimistic way of lifting all the ships of America.
He also does a good job of conveying that this “business of show” in what Johnson nicknames “the City of Angles” is completely exhausting. The word “coffee” appears on page 85. HaKiDo with oat milk for OKB. A teamster pirate drip named Ace Acevido. A very specific smoothie is obtained. Catering tables are lovingly stocked.
“The offerings are filling, healthy snacks that are terrifying for you, but very, very much appreciated,” shares the omniscient narrator. Given the time, it can sometimes read like a thank you speech given by the consummate nice guy Hanks. You might admire its rough lah spirit, but you might still want to fast forward.
Notes on Type: Hanks has spoken and written extensively before, including in The New York Times, about his obsession with typewriters. A different antique his model was featured in each of the 17 stories contained in his final book, a collection called “Uncommon Type”. On page 96 of his “Masterpiece,” I met Johnson’s choice of vintage Smith Her Corona Her Sterling, and I widened my eyes tolerably.
Flipping through another 50 pages, I close the book after finding minor characters selling like “Royal, Underwood, Remington, Hermès, Olivetti, all in working order” Etsy shop. I had to fight the strong urge to want to. He has three shots of espresso and sees if anything is happening in his little palace on his iPhone.
