This book provides a rare insight in the happenings of Steven Spielberg's personal and professional life. It is an interesting read about one of the most distinguished directors of all time.

A wonderfully insightful and sharp look at the life and films of one of cinema's greatest entertainers.

I will start by saying I am sorry for the grammar mistakes in this review. I have small humans running around my house daily that I forget to reread what I wrote. Updated REVIEW:
The Author Molly Haskell wrote a story about an Icon in American Film maker who brings his personal history into each one of his movies. I have watched almost all of his films which made me realize I couldn't wait to read this story. As a child I loved Empire of the Sun and now as an adult I am to fully understand this film. Each movie he creates has passion. What I found in this book it Molly Haskell lacked the same passion as she wrote about this "Great American Film Maker."
(After I posted this Review) I went back and reread the book wondering if I wasn't paying enough attention to the story she was trying to create. That was when I started to realize all the details I must have glanced over in my earlier reading. Simple research errors will take an author creditable down. I ended up not finishing the book during my second reading.
I found Molly Haskell writing style bland causing me to put down the book several times. I was unable to connect with the text as I struggle to finish this 240+ page book.
Thank you Netgalley for the advance Copy of this book.

One of our essential film critics tackles the work of our most successful film directors. A smart and complex appraisal.

Written by film critic Molly Haskell this is a different biography, one that is entirely appropriate for a film-maker. Except for the initial chapters covering his early life, each chapter looks at Spielberg and his life through the lens of the movies he was making at the time.

While the movies reflect themes that run through his work, they also reflect his life. Haskell brings this out beautifully by showing how on-going concerns such as childhood fears, family, and wonder play out in his movies.

Unlike many other biographies of great directors, the book doesn't spend too much time on the creation of each film, but gives us just enough so that we can bring the movie to mind and understand how it fits into the bigger picture.

Most of the emphasis is on the movies, but other aspects of his professional life such as his philanthropy and his studio are not ignored.

It isn't, however, a complete life. The main fault of the book is that Haskell will leave intriguing loose ends about the director's life that she doesn't pursue. When the subject is unwilling to give interviews this is to be expected. Even so, by looking at Spielberg's public face, his movies, the author draws out a picture of this influential director.

Another biography of one of Hollywoods most famous director/Producers. I was fascinated to read how intertwined the lives of this eras biggest director from film school to today.