Alicia Malone loves classic films and this memoir/film guide (more memoir than film guide though) shines a light on that abudently. As she says, people like to think of their lives as movies. In her case, her life has been influenced by the movies so much she is beginning to wonder if movies imitate life or if it’s the other way around.

As it is, her favorite films tend to be the Golden Age niche which can be hard to get her fellow Australians psyched about. Especially teenage girls. While they trolled for boys, she was content to snuggle under the blankets to analyze the deep camera-focus in Citizen Kane.

Malone’s voice is charming as she acknowledges her younger quirks and her utmost passion for cinema. She is also knowledgable as she demonstrates her TCM-level expertise (well TCM did hire her so she knows her stuff) giving context to the movies that so influenced her. Specifically, how these classic films influenced her life as a woman, their subversive messages, the patriarchal male gaze, the woman can/can’t have it all conodrum, beauty = morality etc. All very engaging points that is relatable to many.

It’s a quick read at ten chapters, and manages to succeed in what it sets out to do though I do feel that chapter 8 went a little bit off in messsaging by not focusing on women in film, but more on her career journey. But the rest of the book makes up for it.

Highly recommend for anyone who loves TCM, or films in general.