In a Lonely Place

IN A LONELY PLACE is one of the most complex film Hollywood has ever produced about it self. At the cross-road of the director's own biographical effort and a satirical view about our culture of celluloid, fame and celebrity, Nicholas Ray meditates about the value of why he (and they) make movies. It's in many way, one of the most disturbing and profoundly emotional film ever made.Dana Polan's aproach to analyze this film is quite orthodox, but probably the best way about this particular film. He goes deep inside the production history and describes the evolution of the story that happened through Ray's re-working on the script and improvising with his actors in pre-production and the actual production itself; a good example is the last scene, which was completely changed near the end of the production schedule, reflecting what had happened between the characters, as well as what happned between Ray and his leading actress Gloria Grahame, who was then his own wife.At the same time, Polan also argues Hollywood then as reflected in the film, both in its contents and it's narrative style; mixing a murder WhoDunit, Film Noir, Screwball Comedy, and Melodrama which resulted in a unique and truthful vision of humanity that belongs to none of these genres. He reveals that not only that the story of the film is about movie making, but the film itself, its style and narrative structure are also a shrewed commentary about the way Hollywood make their movies.I recommend IN A LONELY PLACE as a must see film for everybody who loves films, and this book as an invaluable companion for a better understading of this profound, emotional and haunting work of art.