Reviewing Whatever

The Devil’s Candy, by Julie Salamon
Hardback, 1991

You should know
I’ve neither read nor seen The Bonfire of the Vanities. I read this book for a class.

This is relevant because the book is about the making of the movie, from a meeting with Tom Wolfe, author of the book, to the premiere of the movie. I won't spoil it for you, but if you've seen the movie, I doubt you'll be surprised.

So?
That said, I really enjoyed this book. It did an excellent job of cutting between the politics and disasters of moviemaking and the history and personality of director Brian De Palma. As the story progresses, you really feel like cheering at the successes, as in a scene when a Concorde landing has to be choreographed precisely. You also find yourself cringing every time another wrench is thrown into things – which happens with aggravating regularity.

The book also shows nice glimpses of insight into the characters of the main actors: Tom Hanks, Melanie Griffith, and Bruce Willis.

Rating
Read it if…
You’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood – or if you loved the book or hated the movie. Both of which I now want to read/see.

The rest of the Internet
The book is compared to Lillian Ross's Picture at Combustible Celluloid.
A great review at Bookslut.
Another review at PatrickRunkle.com.
Honey at Bookfrog was less impressed.