clementinemac's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
2.0
K Rob I love you, but this could have been 400 pages shorter.
sidekicksam's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
I don't know what prompted me to listen to this 22 hour audiobook, as I've seen only two movies Marlon Brando starred in: A Streetcar Named Desire (hello teenage crush on a man that had already died by then) and The Godfather.
Mann explores the actor's personal history, as well as his filmography, by means of Brando's own account, as well as those who knew him. It gives the listener an exhaustive interpretive account of how the man came to be the legend, a term he despised for himself, but he can't really be named anything else.
Cruel to and inconsiderate of the women (or even, let's be honest here, his children) in his life, brilliantly gifted but humble to the extent of ignorant about his own abilities, and a fiercely principled and activistic man, Marlon Brando is one heck of an interesting character. His take on acting, Hollywood, human rights, and love, all are far ahead of his time, and it makes him all the more fascinating for it.
I definitely was fascinated to hear the stories of how he worked on set with directors and fellow actors, his process as an actor, his own family history and how it affected his life, but all in all, I'm not sure whether I would recommend it. The story has a layer of interpretation of the author, which makes it more opinionated than you might want from a biography, but all in all enjoyable for anyone who's into Marlon Brando, films, or very long audiobooks.
Mann explores the actor's personal history, as well as his filmography, by means of Brando's own account, as well as those who knew him. It gives the listener an exhaustive interpretive account of how the man came to be the legend, a term he despised for himself, but he can't really be named anything else.
Cruel to and inconsiderate of the women (or even, let's be honest here, his children) in his life, brilliantly gifted but humble to the extent of ignorant about his own abilities, and a fiercely principled and activistic man, Marlon Brando is one heck of an interesting character. His take on acting, Hollywood, human rights, and love, all are far ahead of his time, and it makes him all the more fascinating for it.
I definitely was fascinated to hear the stories of how he worked on set with directors and fellow actors, his process as an actor, his own family history and how it affected his life, but all in all, I'm not sure whether I would recommend it. The story has a layer of interpretation of the author, which makes it more opinionated than you might want from a biography, but all in all enjoyable for anyone who's into Marlon Brando, films, or very long audiobooks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, and Xenophobia
christibalisti's review
5.0
Truly fascinating. After hearing of Marlon’s contributions during the civil rights movement I HAD to read up on him. I always loved his movies but had no idea all the things he did and wanted to do outside of his celebrity bubble. This book did not disappoint! Honestly one of the best biographies I’ve ever read.
jasond's review
4.0
Certainly better than Brando's autobiography. Author does a good job placing Brando in his time and explains how he viewed his own talents.
kat2112's review
3.0
I'm amazed Brando got any work done for all his sexing. Eh.
This can be a frustrating read if you mind an author who jumps around in time and leave gaps in history. On the plus side, this book has helped me better understand Brando - who may have supported BLM had he lived. I would have liked a thorough biography, rather than one that dropped off after Last Tango (Mann basically summarizes his last twenty years).
This can be a frustrating read if you mind an author who jumps around in time and leave gaps in history. On the plus side, this book has helped me better understand Brando - who may have supported BLM had he lived. I would have liked a thorough biography, rather than one that dropped off after Last Tango (Mann basically summarizes his last twenty years).
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