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Emily Bennet has worked in various roles on several movie sets and done a little acting of her own. Her brother, Ben, is also an actor but spends his time drunk at home watching their sick father. Although their parent is bedridden, both children are still afraid of him, want his approval, and loathe him. When Emily begins to hear rumors of an unfinished movie starring John Wayne and James Dean, she feels like she finally has a direction in her life. She chases down every rumor and lead she can find and even confronts Wayne about it (Dean has been dead for years) shortly before his death. Eventually, she tracks down a man who stole what film had been shot from the set before it mysteriously shut down.
After viewing the film, Emily decides to be the producer and finish the film. She already knows a John Wayne impersonator, Tom, who has an uncanny resemblance to the iconic actor. Tom also happens to know a James Dean impersonator named Jimmy. Although it will take them several years, they finally put a team together to make the rest of the movie. However, Emily is in a bit of a love triangle with Tom and Jimmy, and when she convinces her brother to sober up and give acting one more try, it is revealed that Ben and Jimmy have a sordid history. The filming becomes personal, and the director squeezes the actors for all their hurts. The result is a legendary piece of filmmaking with a dramatic conclusion, but will anyone get to view it?
There are several interesting themes and motifs in this novel, which recall a few other works. First, there is something here that is very reminiscent of Larry McMurtry’s The Last Picture Show. Both include a bit of a love triangle as McMurtry has Duane, Jacy, Bobby, and Sonny all entangled. Yet the more interesting connection is that both books are Bildungsroman pieces. Although McMurtry’s characters are much younger, many of the characters in Lenz’s work had experiences early in their lives that left them stunted and unable to really grow into adulthood. Emily and her brother, Ben, as well as both impersonators, Tom and Jimmy, are all still in search of their identity and a means to leave their younger selves behind.
Also, there is a connection between this novel and the film The Princess Bride. That film had such an amazing supporting cast that they were often equal to, and sometimes outshone, the main character couple. In a similar way, Ben Bennet is easily the most fascinating character with the best story arc. However, his revelations and departure from the narrative are quite sudden, which will likely leave the reader wishing they had seen more of him. Additionally, the director is a strong character who stands out from the bulk of the cast.
Lenz has crafted a well-written book that shows his experience and professionalism as an author. The sentences are easy to read and solidly constructed. Anyone with a keen interest in movies or who is interested in books with actors as characters will find a lot in this book to enjoy.