Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood

“I’ll be dropping a few names,” Ed Zwick confesses in the introduction to his book. “Over the years I have worked with self-proclaimed masters-of-the-universe, unheralded geniuses, hacks, sociopaths, savants, & saints.” He has encountered these Hollywood types during four decades of directing, producing, & writing projects that have collectively received 18 Academy Award nominations (7 wins) & 67 Emmy nominations (22 wins). 

Though there are many factors behind such success, including luck & the contributions of his creative partner Marshall Herskovitz, he’s known to have a special talent for bringing out the best in the people he’s worked with, especially the actors. In those intense collaborations, he’s sought to discover the small pieces of connective tissue, vulnerability, & fellowship that can help an actor realize their character in full. 

Talents whom he spotted early include Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Denzel Washington, Claire Danes, & Jared Leto. Established stars he worked closely with include Anthony Hopkins, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Daniel Craig, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, & Jennifer Connelly. He also sued Harvey Weinstein over the production of Shakespeare in Love—& won. He shares personal stories about all these people, & more. 

Written mostly with love, sometimes with rue, this memoir is also a meditation on working, sprinkled throughout with tips for anyone who has ever imagined writing, directing, or producing for the screen. Fans with an appreciation for the beautiful mysteries—as well as the unsightly, often comic truths—of crafting film and…