PERSISTENCE OF DOUBLE VISION: Essays on Clint Eastwood - Softcover

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Softcover

ISBN 10: 088864356X ISBN 13: 9780888643568

Publisher: UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA PRESS, 2000

Synopsis

Clint Eastwood represents probably the single strongest icon of heroic masculinity in popular cinema over the past quarter-century. But how odd that, through ironic allusion and gesture, this figure seems continually to deconstruct its own stature. Such problems form the foundation for Bill Beard's examination of Eastwood. Director, producer, and star, Eastwood has become one of the most important figures in American cinema today. This collection of linked essays examines Eastwood's unique position as overpowering cinematic icon and creative filmmaker; as reflector, perpetuator, and even producer of mainstream cultural and ideological values; and as idiosyncratic, complex manipulator of the narrative he inhabits.

About this title

Review

"[A]n illuminating look not only at Eastwood's development through some of his major films, but also. of American values over a forty-year period." -Anne Lancashire, University of Toronto Quarterly, Winter 2001/2002, Letters in Canada, vol 71:1

"Most certainly Beard has made a significant addition to the growing critical acknowledgment of Eastwood's importance in American filmmaking since 1960: both as a reflection of American social and cinematic values and as an ambiguous commentator on them." - Anne Lancashire, University of Toronto Quarterly, Wwinter 2001/2002, Letters in Canada, vol 71:1

"Unlike two other commendable academic works on Eastwood, .this volume integrates the subject's screen persona with his auteurist sensibility. Beard's introduction justifies the specific films studied in the five chapters that follow. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate-level film collections; general readers." A. Hirsh, Central Connecticut State University, CHOICE

-[A]n illuminating look not only at Eastwood's development through some of his major films, but also. of American values over a forty-year period.- -Anne Lancashire, University of Toronto Quarterly, Winter 2001/2002, Letters in Canada, vol 71:1

-Most certainly Beard has made a significant addition to the growing critical acknowledgment of Eastwood's importance in American filmmaking since 1960: both as a reflection of American social and cinematic values and as an ambiguous commentator on them.- - Anne Lancashire, University of Toronto Quarterly, Wwinter 2001/2002, Letters in Canada, vol 71:1

-Unlike two other commendable academic works on Eastwood, .this volume integrates the subject's screen persona with his auteurist sensibility. Beard's introduction justifies the specific films studied in the five chapters that follow. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate-level film collections; general readers.- A. Hirsh, Central Connecticut State University, CHOICE

From the Back Cover

What makes Clint Eastwood such an extraordinary screen presence?

Eastwood is probably the single strongest icon of heroic masculinity in American cinema over the past quarter-century. But unlike predecessor John Wayne, his iconic persona seems continually to deconstruct its own stature through ironic allusion and gesture. Perhaps there is more to this player of hyperbolic manliness than high noon showdowns, 44 Magnums and the legendary squint.

William Beard examines Eastwood's unique position as cinematic icon and creative filmmaker. The award-winning director, producer and star has evolved from Leone's gangster-cowboy and the troubled Dirty Harry to become one of American cinema's best-respected figures. But how do we see through Eastwood's dualities?

Through detailed readings of many individual films, including Unforgiven, A Perfect World, Play Misty for Me and others, Beard helps us to understand the is/not qualities of the charismatic Eastwood figure.

Edition details

• Publisher: UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA PRESS
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 088864356X
• ISBN 13: 9780888643568
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 1