The Martini Shot

by Peter Craig

Book Overview

A hilarious and compelling send-up of a Hollywood celebrity and his family, written by the son of one of Hollywood's biggest families.

"The martini shot" is film slang for the wrap shot in a movie, the signal to strike the set and celebrate with a stiff drink. But aging action film star Charlie West doesn't need an occasion -- the empty booze bottles in Charlie's closet risk crowding out the skeletons. Little does Charlie know that salvation...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688175813
• ISBN13: 9780688175818
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Worth a look

This book was absolutely nothing like I expected, and I think the advertising for it and the description were sort of intentionally misleading. But I did find myself liking the book very much by the midway point, mostly because the characters were all so odd and unpredictable. Eventually I forgot the whole label-thing, and I just enjoyed the book. Don't read this if you expect some gossipy Hollywood novel. It's actually a good little comedy about a lot of amusing and neurotic people trying to keep it together.

Kampai!

I don't know, I think this book was pretty damn funny. I don't even pretend to understand what "hollywood" is all about, but, although Charlie's reflective scene before he douses himself may have been a bit maudlin, the characters are what make it... You want to adopt Matt, shoot Barb (with cellulite), share a joint with Camilla, BE Ava, and have a couple of Chrisses ... As far as the criticism of one-liners goes, how fitting for Charlie to end up "in the drink"... The wit and sarcasm of these "one-liners" has made me oddly homesick for that so very AMERICAN sense of humor. I think assuming this'll turn into the hollywood film Mr. Craig seems, although halfheartedly, to be trashing, is not to give him enough credit. So what if it does?

Many good characters

I enjoyed this book primarily because of the engaging and witty characters, particularly Camilla. The author has a good ear for dialogue, and allows his characters room to speak and develop. The "Hollywood" aspect of this book seemed to be just a backdrop, while the real story was the dynamic between all of these eccentric but likable people. Even the character of Barbara, who is a gold-digger type, is treated fairly. By the end, she seems to have a point also. I appreciated how the author didn't seem to favor characters, but seemed to have affection for all of them.

Surprisingly sharp

I read a review of this in L.A. Weekly which said that it was "a lot of fun" and entertaining in a sort of ironic way, despite the fact that it became more slapstick at the end. I read it, and agreed for the most part, except I felt that the characters were much stronger and wittier than I had expected and the author seemed more generous to them than I would have thought from the initial satirical tone. The ending was a little over the top, but it was an example of the kind of senseless fireworks these characters would have to simulate in their own lives. All in all, I thought it was a very intelligent and amusing first novel.

Hysterically funny whether you're in the biz or not.

This guy has obviously spent a lot of time on film sets--he's got the whole insane experience down to a tee. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for his next one.