Complicated Women, by Mick La Salle
Review by Jeffrey M. Anderson
Buy Complicated Women: Sex and Power in Pre-Code Hollywood, by Mick La Salle
The San Francisco Chronicle's most popular film critic, Mick La Salle is
known for his unusual taste in film and for his ability to defend his
opinions. But the reason La Salle has such an unusual take on modern
film lies in this book; his real area of expertise is rooted in in a
certain kind of Hollywood film made during 1929 and 1934 (otherwise
known as the pre-code era). His first book "Complicated Women" talks
about the various roles that actresses played during these days, from
"vamps" to housewives, and focuses on two of his favorites, Greta Garbo
and Norma Shearer. It's a great combination; Garbo has been overly
exposed and mythologized to the point of being beyond human, while
Shearer has been unjustly neglected. La Salle restores them both to
human capacity. Vigorously researched and cleanly written, this is one
of the best books of its kind. It also contains a collection of lovely
photos in the center. La Salle wrote a follow-up book, "Complicated
Men," that I have not read yet.
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