cover image The Deal

The Deal

Peter Lefcourt, , read by William H. Macy. . Blackstone Audio, $19.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-1-4332-0696-2

In the preface, Lefcourt explains why he considered—but decided against—altering some of the dated pop culture and industry trappings of his 1991 Hollywood satire. This candor provides some valuable context for contemporary listeners as they are transported back to a world where mobile phones were a novel accessory in select luxury automobiles, and e-mail wasn't ubiquitous. Macy (who co-stars with Meg Ryan in the upcoming film adaptation) certainly does justice to the characters. He gives pitch-perfect voice to Charlie Berns, a down-on-his luck producer, whose rise from the ashes would qualify as inspirational were it not for the absurdity of his tactics. Macy also delivers especially memorable turns portraying Lefcourt's lovable eccentrics, including a hard-drinking, reclusive script doctor and Charlie's studio-assigned secretary who speaks with maddening pauses in between her words. A Washington Square Press paperback (Reviews, Feb. 22, 1991). (Feb.)