The Film Club

The Film Club is a non-fiction book by Canadian writer David Gilmour. It is a memoir of himself letting his teenage son (Jesse Gilmour) drop out of high school under the stipulation that he must watch three films a week. It was first published by Thomas Allen Publishers in September 2007.

The Film Club
AuthorDavid Gilmour
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherThomas Allen Publishers
Publication date
September 2007
Pages264 pages
ISBN978-0-88762-285-4
OCLC141842386

Plot

David Gilmour allowed his 15-year-old son Jesse to stop going to school without getting a job under the condition that they watch three films each week together. They go by their film schedule for three years while discussing them with each other. During this time, Jesse has trouble with the influence of drugs and his girlfriend. By the book's completion, Gilmour works harder and Jesse tries to live successfully.[1][2]

Films

The films that David Gilmour watches with his son includes Citizen Kane, Showgirls, Pulp Fiction, Last Tango in Paris, The 400 Blows, Ran, Singin' in the Rain, The Exorcist and Basic Instinct.[1][2][3] Gilmour's rationale for the varied film genres is that it gives his son some education.[4]

Release

The Film Club has been translated into 24 languages. The memoir sold well in Germany, Brazil, and Canada.[5] The book's popularity helped him become Pelham Edgar Visiting Professor of Literary Studies at the University of Toronto. He has said that if he would send his best work to Mars, it would The Perfect Order of Things.[6]

Reception

Gregory Kirschling of Entertainment Weekly gave the book an A-, saying "Gilmour's a clear, breezy writer, and his book's got a lot of heart; ultimately, it becomes subtly affecting."[3] Pat Saperstein of Variety said that Gilmour's idea is "a fascinating experiment – especially for parents of teens going through similar struggles – and mostly engaging, albeit a tad self-involved".[1] Heather Harris of Metro Times said that the memoir has many strengths in relation to family.[7]

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References
  1. Pat Saperstein (June 12, 2008). "The Film Club". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  2. Douglas McGrath (July 6, 2008). "Home Screening". The New York Times. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  3. Gregory Kirschling (May 2, 2008). "The Film Club". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  4. "The Film Club". Kirkus Reviews. May 1, 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  5. "David Gilmour". David Gilmour's Official Website. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  6. Mark Medley (August 30, 2011). "David Gilmour figures out The Perfect Order of Things". National Post. Retrieved April 19, 2012.
  7. Heather Harris (June 4, 2008). "Moving pictures". Metro Times. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
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