A Life in Movies

February 25, 2019
While film producer Winkler isn’t a household name, he amply proves his place in Hollywood history in this uneven but illuminating memoir. Drawing on work diaries, Winkler gives insight into the creation of Raging Bull, The Right Stuff, the Rocky series, and Martin Scorsese’s forthcoming The Irishman, among many others. He goes into more detail about some films than others, but at best gives a unique insider’s perspective on his profession. He recalls that on Rocky, he and longtime producing partner Robert Chartoff had to take responsibility for any budget overages before United Artists would allow the film’s then-unknown screenwriter, Sylvester Stallone, to star. On Guilty by Suspicion, a drama about the Hollywood blacklist that Winkler directed himself, he recounts exhaustively searching for a lead actor, before resolving not to make the film without Robert De Niro: “No one would be as perfect as Bob. That was it.” Taken separately, the book’s anecdotes can feel thin; in particular, the reader is left wanting to know more about Winkler’s relationships with recurring collaborators like Chartoff, De Niro, and Scorsese. However, taken as a whole, Winkler’s recollections add up to a lively chronicle that will entertain film buffs and enlighten film students.

April 1, 2019

Winkler has produced some of the most memorable films of the past 50 years, from Raging Bull and The Right Stuff to the entire Rocky franchise and Martin Scorsese's upcoming The Irishman. In Winkler's conversational, entertaining, yet slight first memoir, he discusses the highs and lows of his career. Most of his films receive only a few pages of specific attention, though the discussion of 1991's Guilty by Suspicion, starring Robert DeNiro--the first film Winkler directed--is much more detailed and thus far more informative and engaging. His candid nature and the use of film titles as markers within each chapter aid in the chronology and flow of the narrative, but avid readers can't help wanting more. Still, Winkler has worked with some truly great filmmakers, and his behind-the-scenes look at the interpersonal workings of Hollywood is a treat. VERDICT An enjoyable read for film buffs and a worthwhile addition to most libraries.--Peter Thornell, Hingham P.L., MA

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2019
A candid, revealing memoir from the acclaimed film producer and director.Throughout the book, Winkler explores the exigencies of conceiving, financing, casting, and shooting a movie as well as the incessant troubleshooting, placating of the intemperate or churlish, cajoling, pleading, negotiating, and always thinking fast on one's feet--not to mention promotion, securing distribution, and other responsibilities. Beginning his career as a talent agent and manager, the author, with longtime partner Bob Chartoff, produced such Academy Award-winning films as Rocky, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Right Stuff while also directing other films. At 87, he's still at it. His diary is the chief wellspring of a highly detailed account of 50 years on the hot seat. Winkler chronicles the development of many well-regarded movies as well as the aborted attempts and misfires both accountable and unaccountable. Because the author moves in linear fashion from film to film, a certain sameness begins to creep into the telling. But this is more than compensated for by the diversity of the films discussed, Winkler's palpable love of the industry, his insider's knowledge, and the generosity he extends to colleagues--not to say that the author doesn't call out the occasional lout. Winkler also celebrates many longtime friends and associates, none more affectionately than (the late) Chartoff, Martin Scorsese, and Robert De Niro. Winkler's writing style is breezy, consistently modest, and amiable. Like many in the business with an emotional investment, he occasionally overrates a film or a performance. However, as a screenwriter himself, Winkler knows a clunker when he sees it. You don't win so many awards if you don'tknow what you're doing.Any film buff would love to join Winkler for a long conversation over drinks and dinner. At their best, his recollections are as rich as his films are memorable.

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