YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR NEXT ONE 100 Great Films, 100 Good Films, and 100 for Which I Should Be Shot

Mike Medavoy climbed the ranks from studio mailroom to studio head, maintaining (amazingly) a sense of dignity and fair play throughout. While his humanity is not the most remarkable thing about his sojourn in Hollywood, his having had a hand in the creation of such films as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Raging Bull, Silence of the Lambs, and Amadeus while remaining humane is. Even such a short list as this is telling--Medavoy commits to quality, artistic integrity, and trusting the creative process even when it is the opposite of conventional wisdom. Yet Medavoy admits to heading his share of merely decent flicks, as well as movies “for which I should be shot.” Brisk, conversational, and intelligent writing supported by Robertson Dean’s equally intelligent and ingenuous read provides a deeply informative listen. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 04]