In this series of loosely connected reminiscences, Manderino (Reasons for Leaving
) attempts to craft an autobiography from snapshots of himself as a movie watcher, with uneven results. Each chapter focuses on a particular film, from Manderino’s childhood memories of being frightened by Death of the Dinosaurs
to debating the merits of Jane Fonda’s performance in Coming Home
with a date. The most evocative are those where the film in question either influences or mirrors the author’s life: he gets up the courage to confront a man in a bar after watching Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver
and recreates a swooning fan letter he once wrote to Debbie Reynolds after seeing her in Singin’ in the Rain
. The collection falters when Manderino strains for a connection between his own life and the lives depicted on screen, such as his “role” in a friend’s wedding video or the unoriginal parallels he draws between himself as a depressed high school senior and Laurence Olivier’s portrayal of Hamlet
. Yet despite these missteps, Manderino’s love and respect for the medium is undeniable. (Feb.)
