Peter Bart: Tom Hanks’ New ‘Major Motion Picture Masterpiece’ Is Facetious Peek At Stardom, Moviemaking
deadline.comTom Hanks has expertly re-invented himself over the years, moving from rom-com star (Big) to war hero (Saving Private Ryan) to character actor (Elvis), and as a writer-director with That Thing You Do!
and Larry Crowne. His newest chapter: novelist. He’s pretty damn good at this, too. In fact, his first novel, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, is helpful to anyone trying to understand that species of humanity known as “the star.” Or to master “Star-Speak,” their arcane lexicon.
At one point in Hanks’ novel, which hits shelves May 9, a director describes his star as “the latest hunk of forbidden fruit who, with patience, can be flattered, cajoled, babysat and made ‘camera ready’ for his leading role.” He adds: “I’m not saying you have to respect the man but you do have to respect the process.” Hanks himself is a thoughtful, well-read man, not a predictable “hunk.” His novel details the patching together of a superhero epic that originated as a humble comic book.
A major director named Bill Johnson, predictably eccentric, decides that its narrative is perfect grist for a mega-hit, to be titled Knightshade: The Lathe of Firefall.
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