Book Review: Ready for My Closeup: The Making of Sunset Boulevard and the Dark Side of the Hollywood Dream by David M. Lubin

David M. Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is a meticulously researched and engagingly written cultural history that delves into the making of Billy Wilder’s Sunset Boulevard (1950), one of Hollywood’s most enduring and darkly prophetic films. Spanning 25 chapters, along with a prologue, epilogue, and extensive notes, Lubin’s work offers a comprehensive exploration of the film’s production, its troubled yet brilliant creative process, and its lasting impact on both cinema and the mythology of Hollywood itself.

Lubin, a scholar and former Rolling Stone contributor, masterfully weaves together film history, biography, and cultural critique. His analysis goes beyond mere behind-the-scenes anecdotes, situating Sunset Boulevard within broader themes of fame, obsession, and the destructive allure of stardom. One particularly gripping chapter, “Adultery, Addiction, and Mass Murder,” exemplifies Lubin’s ability to blend scandalous Hollywood lore with sharp cultural commentary—proving that the film’s themes of decay and desperation were as much a reflection of real-life Hollywood as they were of Wilder’s fictional narrative.

The book excels in its detailed recounting of the film’s chaotic production and what emerges is a portrait of a film that was as much a product of Hollywood’s golden age as it was a scathing indictment of it.

How I would describe this book:
-A must-read for cinephiles and cultural historians alike—Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is as mesmerizing as the film it chronicles.
-A gripping deep dive into the making of Sunset Boulevard, revealing the dark underbelly of Hollywood’s dream factory.
-Perfect for fans of Sam Wasson and Glenn Frankel—this book proves why Sunset Boulevard remains a timeless masterpiece.
-Just in time for the film’s 75th anniversary, Lubin’s book is the definitive account of Wilder’s noir classic.

Acknowledgments:
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for providing an advance review copy of this exceptional work. Lubin’s Ready for My Closeup is not only a vital addition to film scholarship but also a riveting read for anyone fascinated by Hollywood’s myths and realities.

In sum, Ready for My Closeup is both an academic triumph and a page-turner—a book that will appeal to scholars, film buffs, and general readers alike. It reaffirms Sunset Boulevard’s place in cinematic history while offering fresh insights into its creation and enduring legacy.