A disappointing book. Heston is a fascinating star - big, tall, stiff, capable of good work, a really wide variety of movies. He had a genuine sense of duty which prompted him to do sterling work for the AFI, SAG, the government (visiting troops in Vietnam), the Civil Rights movement, and, unfortunately (to me at any rate), the NRA.
Eliot's book is very strong on the later phase of Heston's life - his family life, the difficulties in his marriage (with a firey woman who at times resented him and suffered migranes... it's clear ole Chuck was whipped), his battles with Alzheimers (very moving), his dealings with the NRA (which seem to have been prompted by a desire for attention and something to do as much as anything). He's helped by talking to Heston's kids and NRA people - who credit Heston with helping make them more powerful, which is a horrible legacy.
It's also pretty good on Heston's upbringing - he was devastated by his parent's divorce, his mother didn't want him to see his father, his mother had an affair and married the bloke who tried to bond with Charlton. He was solitary and awkward, but was tall, commanding and good act.
The film is weak on Heston's career. It sort of rehashes what's in his diaries, skims his TV and theatre work, doesn't really analyse the acting. There are irritating factual errors and the writing is uninspired. Heston deserved a better book.
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