Susan Sarandon: A True Maverick

by Betty Jo Tucker

Overview

Susan Sarandon's memorable performances have made her an American icon. Passionate and outspoken, she's often controversial. Why did Sarandon choose acting as a career? What is her acting philosophy? How does she select roles? What motivates her to promote social and political causes? Why do some people object to this? How do critics rate her work and her movies?
Betty Jo Tucker answers these questions and more in an analysis of Sarandon's achievements from a film critic's perspective. Tucker's book also includes an annotated filmography of Sarandon's movies and selected reviews of her key films.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781587363009
Publisher:	Wheatmark
Publication date:	03/09/2004
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	444,055
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.39(d)

Read an Excerpt

Wearing a slinky, spaghetti-strap black dress, her famous red hair flowing in all directions, Susan Sarandon looked every bit the glamorous movie star while gliding across the stage to accept her Maverick Award at the Taos Talking Pictures Festival 2002. By the time the tribute to this Oscar-winning actress was over, any doubts I harbored about why Sarandon was selected for this award were gone.

Of course, I knew Sarandon’s credentials as a great American actress were impeccable . . . and I was aware of the challenging roles she usually selected—roles that offer a different model of the Hollywood superstar. But up to this point, the term “maverick” wasn’t something included in my description of her. However, I realize now it’s a perfect title for Susan Sarandon.

“This is so cool!” she said in her acceptance speech. “But when I heard about the Maverick Award, I wasn’t sure what that meant, so I looked it up. I found out there really was a Mr. Maverick. He refused to brand his calves. Now, we don’t know why he refused. Was he onery? Or lazy? Or maybe he didn’t want to hurt his calves. Anyway, the term maverick now means a person who doesn’t conform. Well, maybe I am a bit of a maverick.”

Table of Contents

True/False Quiz
INTRODUCTION: Why Susan?
CHAPTER ONE: Recognizing a Maverick
CHAPTER TWO: Balancing Act: Family and Career
CHAPTER THREE: Roles of Distinction
CHAPTER FOUR: Her Colleagues Speak Out
CHAPTER FIVE: Ah, Men!
CHAPTER SIX: The Myelin Project
CHAPTER SEVEN: Her Critics Speak Out
CHAPTER EIGHT: A Woman of Substance
ANNOTATED FILMOGRAPHY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
WEBSITES
SELECTED FILM REVIEWS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
INDICES

What People are Saying About This

Phil Hall

Betty Jo Tucker, one of the Internet's finest film critics, is a graceful, intelligent judge of cinematic offerings. She approaches her subject with measured dignity and mature enthusiasm.
—book editor, New York Resident