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Two Weeks in the Midday Sun
Includes notes and meanderings from the author's trips to the Cannes Film Festival
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
20 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Roger Ebert
91 books403 followersRoger Joseph Ebert was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American film critic and screenwriter.
He was known for his weekly review column (appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, and later online) and for the television program Siskel & Ebert at the Movies, which he co-hosted for 23 years with Gene Siskel. After Siskel's death in 1999, he auditioned several potential replacements, ultimately choosing Richard Roeper to fill the open chair. The program was retitled Ebert & Roeper and the Movies in 2000.
Ebert's movie reviews were syndicated to more than 200 newspapers in the United States and abroad. He wrote more than 15 books, including his annual movie yearbook. In 1975, Ebert became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. His television programs have also been widely syndicated, and have been nominated for Emmy awards. In February 1995, a section of Chicago's Erie Street near the CBS Studios was given the honorary name Siskel & Ebert Way. Ebert was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 2005, the first professional film critic to receive one. Roger Ebert was named as the most influential pundit in America by Forbes Magazine, beating the likes of Bill Maher, Lou Dobbs, and Bill O'Reilly.[2] He has honorary degrees from the University of Colorado, the American Film Institute, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
From 1994 until his death in 2013, he wrote a Great Movies series of individual reviews of what he deemed to be the most important films of all time. He also hosted the annual Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival in Champaign, Illinois from 1999 until his death.
He was known for his weekly review column (appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, and later online) and for the television program Siskel & Ebert at the Movies, which he co-hosted for 23 years with Gene Siskel. After Siskel's death in 1999, he auditioned several potential replacements, ultimately choosing Richard Roeper to fill the open chair. The program was retitled Ebert & Roeper and the Movies in 2000.
Ebert's movie reviews were syndicated to more than 200 newspapers in the United States and abroad. He wrote more than 15 books, including his annual movie yearbook. In 1975, Ebert became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. His television programs have also been widely syndicated, and have been nominated for Emmy awards. In February 1995, a section of Chicago's Erie Street near the CBS Studios was given the honorary name Siskel & Ebert Way. Ebert was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June 2005, the first professional film critic to receive one. Roger Ebert was named as the most influential pundit in America by Forbes Magazine, beating the likes of Bill Maher, Lou Dobbs, and Bill O'Reilly.[2] He has honorary degrees from the University of Colorado, the American Film Institute, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
From 1994 until his death in 2013, he wrote a Great Movies series of individual reviews of what he deemed to be the most important films of all time. He also hosted the annual Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival in Champaign, Illinois from 1999 until his death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 12, 2016
Wonderful account of the Cannes Film Festival in 1987. Bits of interviews with actors and directors and others, plus mini reviews of some of the movies. Plus just an overall feel of what it is like to attend the festival. Loved these lines: "I called home and told my mother I was having dinner with Prince Charles and Princess Diana. It's the sort of detail that means something to your mother."
February 26, 2021
"...having spent a lifetime becoming famous, they value fame more than ordinary people, and are more impressed when they see it."
Too true, Ebert, too true. It seems that the biggest issue for Two Weeks in the Midday Sun, an apparent love letter to Cannes Film Festival, is that it reads more like an old man complaining and recounting his encounters with now D-List celebrities than it does an ode to the big screen.
To be the best in this field, I must first learn from those that thought they were. Thus, my readings of Ebert and his craft are far from over. But at least this one is.
Too true, Ebert, too true. It seems that the biggest issue for Two Weeks in the Midday Sun, an apparent love letter to Cannes Film Festival, is that it reads more like an old man complaining and recounting his encounters with now D-List celebrities than it does an ode to the big screen.
To be the best in this field, I must first learn from those that thought they were. Thus, my readings of Ebert and his craft are far from over. But at least this one is.
June 4, 2024
4.5/ 5
"Indeed, I have filled my life with so completely with commitments and deadliness that many days there is no time at all to think about the fact that I am living it. But these still moments, usually in a foreign country or a strange city, give me the illusion that all of my life is as distant from me as those of the people in the marketplace, and that in some sense the thing that is really me sits somewhere quietly at a table, watching it all go by.”
Oh to one day reach the transcendence Ebert does. His reflections on Cannes are illuminating and thoughtful, fascinating and oftentimes hilarious. He paints such a vivid portrait of the festival, I deeply, deeply hope I can go someday. He was the best to ever do it.
"Indeed, I have filled my life with so completely with commitments and deadliness that many days there is no time at all to think about the fact that I am living it. But these still moments, usually in a foreign country or a strange city, give me the illusion that all of my life is as distant from me as those of the people in the marketplace, and that in some sense the thing that is really me sits somewhere quietly at a table, watching it all go by.”
Oh to one day reach the transcendence Ebert does. His reflections on Cannes are illuminating and thoughtful, fascinating and oftentimes hilarious. He paints such a vivid portrait of the festival, I deeply, deeply hope I can go someday. He was the best to ever do it.
January 12, 2024
Honestly, I wanted more about Cannon films.
June 28, 2016
There was a time when movie reviews from critics really mattered to me. They helped me to decide whether a movie is worth watching or not. And Roger Ebert was the one critic whose writings I could count on. His passing broke many people's hearts, but his legacy will live on. As the title suggested, this book is some kind of journal from when he spent two weeks in May 1987 to cover the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. As a Cannes veteran--it was his 12th time there anyway--he has many stories to tell, from his morning routine at sidewalk café to tons of interviews and press screenings he attended. There are many interesting talks and interviews with people in the film industry, from the familiar names like John Malkovich and Barbara Hershey, to some whose names are alien to me like Menahem Golan. All these stories are accompanied by not-outstanding-but-mostly-charming-and-hilarious sketches from Ebert himself. Of course he talked about the films that screened there, but this book is more about the people and the overall feeling of being there as a regular. Just like he stated : "I felt the kind of familiarity that you develop in a place after you live there, and it occurred to me that I had lived in Cannes for six months, two weeks at a time. Two weeks at a time had always been enough."
Good enough.
Good enough.
September 15, 2020
Inspired by a recent viewing of LIFE ITSELF, a documentary directed by Steve James about the influential and gifted film critic and writer Roger Ebert, I sought out this book he had written decades ago about his experiences reporting from the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. TWO WEEKS IN THE MIDDAY SUN is a fast-moving treat for cinephiles as Ebert weaves an endlessly enjoyable tapestry of film screenings, star interviews, elaborate luncheons, attending a dinner for Prince Charles and Princess Diana, memories of past Cannes screenings, and soaking in the local atmosphere when his work duties were not calling. For anyone who has never been and will most likely never go to Cannes, reading Ebert's delectable travelogue through the decadence, pageantry, and commerce of the festival is the closest we will ever get to actually being there.
October 26, 2023
Ebert at the Cannes film festival in the mid 1980's. Irresistible.
April 1, 2024
It was a decently quick read. I would highly recommend getting this book in paperback form as many pages are of Ebert's sketches which are decently good.
I both liked and disliked this book. I more liked it though as Roger Ebert is a master storyteller and quite the writer. It is no surprised that he won the Pulitzer for film criticism. His writing style is upscale, but still approachable.
I can really sum up this book was that it was great writing about nothing in particular. Its mostly his "diary" of his comings and goings at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. In a lesser author, this could be a dumb concept and a bit boring, but Ebert keeps it lively. There are parts that dragged on and you can clearly see Ebert's biases when it comes to films, but most of the interviews that he did make excellent short non fiction stories. I especially liked his interview with Isabella Rossellini who has been "interesting" for the past 30 years. He also did a huge chunk with Charles Butowski which I could see people liking, but I had already heard most of this at Ebertfest (his Film Festival in Champaign).
All in all, I liked this book. It was weird, but it was interesting
I both liked and disliked this book. I more liked it though as Roger Ebert is a master storyteller and quite the writer. It is no surprised that he won the Pulitzer for film criticism. His writing style is upscale, but still approachable.
I can really sum up this book was that it was great writing about nothing in particular. Its mostly his "diary" of his comings and goings at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. In a lesser author, this could be a dumb concept and a bit boring, but Ebert keeps it lively. There are parts that dragged on and you can clearly see Ebert's biases when it comes to films, but most of the interviews that he did make excellent short non fiction stories. I especially liked his interview with Isabella Rossellini who has been "interesting" for the past 30 years. He also did a huge chunk with Charles Butowski which I could see people liking, but I had already heard most of this at Ebertfest (his Film Festival in Champaign).
All in all, I liked this book. It was weird, but it was interesting
May 30, 2017
This is Ebert's journal during the 1987 Cannes film festival, illustrated with his drawings. His observations about celebrity culture, the film industry, and the spectacle that is Cannes are all insightful and wry -- Ebert considers himself enough of an outsider that he can really observe what he sees there, from the financial motivations of deal makers to the hilarious personalities of various behind-the-scenes characters. It's a short, amusing read -- and even if the specific movie references might seem dated, the morals are not. I read this as my husband was there over the past two weeks -- and it sounds as if it is remarkably the same today.
October 23, 2021
A witty account of the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. Ebert goes into great depth to describe the festival as if you are there yourself. He includes lots of anecdotes that showcase his wonderful and unique writing style and his ability as a critic. He mentions over 100 films and gives recognition to the masterpieces at the 1987 festival (although many are now long forgotten).
February 28, 2023
An enjoyable read, Ebert has a very pleasant writing style, in my opinion. He writes about going to the Cannes Film Festival in 1987 so it does seem dated . However the larger picture of what it is like to attend the festival remains valid I think. I’m old so I remember the Siskel and Ebert movie review program from many years ago. I miss it and both of the men who were on it.
September 3, 2017
Ebert is great, but instead of reading this book, I'd recommend watching the movie.
The anecdotes are fun and the stories are vaguely interesting, but in general this is the 80s equivalent of a sparsely managed Instagram account. Bit of this, bite of that, nothing of real importance.
The anecdotes are fun and the stories are vaguely interesting, but in general this is the 80s equivalent of a sparsely managed Instagram account. Bit of this, bite of that, nothing of real importance.
February 27, 2019
In this 1987 book Ebert chronicles his experiences while covering the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. Although dated, the book is still interesting, with gossipy tidbits about the film industry and the people involved in it.
October 27, 2019
Fun for film aficionados, especially those who remember the cinema in the 1980’s/90s. As the Library Journal review perfectly states, this book/diary by Roger Ebert is “about as nourishing as a croissant, but like that pastry, it’s fun to devour.”
October 29, 2022
Do you really need me to tell you a book by Ebert about Cannes is worth reading? The prose is sharp and insightful, and as an unexpected bonus there’s a detour to the film set of ‘Barfly’ in there, which I did NOT see coming.
November 8, 2023
Mellow and warm bit of travel writing about the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. Cannon Films, Barbara Hershey, Barbet Schroeder, Ken Russell, Godard, Faye Dunaway, Marcello Mastroianni, Fellini, and more. Languorous, full of food and film.
May 29, 2019
read half of this book on the plane to Cannes and the other half on the way back, lovely companion to the film festival
July 25, 2019
Informative , but a bit dry for my tastes.
It was a nice memoir/reference book for some of the older late seventies early 80s movies.
It was a nice memoir/reference book for some of the older late seventies early 80s movies.
January 9, 2020
What a wonderful piece of writing. I wish this had found me a decade ago.
February 14, 2024
Transports you to Cannes film festival with Roger and includes his doodles too. A+
August 29, 2024
“Everybody will always be back next year.”
July 30, 2020
Roger Ebert's journal documenting the 1986 Cannes Film Festival is a unique insider view of the long-running cinematic institution, told with lots of humor and insight, from one of film criticism's biggest stars.
"Two Weeks in the Midday Sun" is a slim book, filled with the author's own illustrations. He's got sketches of Scorsese, Richard Corliss, Faye Dunaway, and various other Cannes attendees. Most amusing: a drawing of a French critic using an obnoxiously bright pen-light during a screening.
Ebert breaks down the general layout of the festival, the palace theaters and street VHS vendors, the pier with accompanying large and impressive watercraft, and the expensive and always mobbed dining venues.
He keeps an eye on Cannon president Menahem Golan, who works his selling magic in the lower-end part of Cannes, while hoping year after year to win their top prize for one of his dramatic pieces. Golan is a fascinating character, and would make a great subject for his own book (he's been documented pretty thoroughly in video format, in the excellent "Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films").
Ebert writes of dinners and screenings, after parties and boat expeditions, all with great humor and affection, and not a small amount of skepticism, with occasional near-disbelief.
"Two Weeks in the Midday Sun" is a slim book, filled with the author's own illustrations. He's got sketches of Scorsese, Richard Corliss, Faye Dunaway, and various other Cannes attendees. Most amusing: a drawing of a French critic using an obnoxiously bright pen-light during a screening.
Ebert breaks down the general layout of the festival, the palace theaters and street VHS vendors, the pier with accompanying large and impressive watercraft, and the expensive and always mobbed dining venues.
He keeps an eye on Cannon president Menahem Golan, who works his selling magic in the lower-end part of Cannes, while hoping year after year to win their top prize for one of his dramatic pieces. Golan is a fascinating character, and would make a great subject for his own book (he's been documented pretty thoroughly in video format, in the excellent "Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films").
Ebert writes of dinners and screenings, after parties and boat expeditions, all with great humor and affection, and not a small amount of skepticism, with occasional near-disbelief.
May 11, 2014
In Ebert's autobiography, Life Itself, the moments he referenced from Two Weeks intrigued me enough to want to hear the whole story. It turned out to be a very enjoyable read; not a comprehensive travelogue, but a collection of musings and observations from the parallel universe of Cannes during the two weeks of the 1987 festival. Ebert is, in fact, not the main character of his book, he's more of a fly on the wall, recording bits and pieces of the activity around him. It's a unique look behind the curtains at what the film industry actually consisted of in that decade. Not all riches and glamor, but very human. The way Ebert covers a travel destination actually reminded me a bit of how Anthony Bourdain approached his locations on No Reservations. Not focusing on the chamber of commerce perspective, but really trying to convey the sensation of the place and time.
There is one passage that Ebert quoted in Life Itself, that alone convinced me to read this book. It's a beautiful, insightful piece of writing that I had to include in this review:
There is one passage that Ebert quoted in Life Itself, that alone convinced me to read this book. It's a beautiful, insightful piece of writing that I had to include in this review:
There are times when I think it would be possible to lead my whole life like this, a stranger in a foreign land, sitting in a cafe, drinking espresso, sketching on a pad, sometimes buying a newspaper which would tell me in my own language what was happening in other places to other people. I would see myself in the third person - that anonymous figure in the distance, crossing under the trees. Most of the time I am too busy to entertain such reflections. Indeed, I have filled my life so completely with commitments and deadlines that many days there is no time all to think about the fact that I am living it. But these still moments, usually in a foreign country or a strange city, give me the illusion that all of my life is as distant from me as those of the people in the marketplace, and that in some sense the thing that is really me sits somewhere quietly at a table, watching it all go by.
August 25, 2016
Having attended every Ebertfest for the past 18 years, and literally shouting about it from the balcony of the Virginia Theatre at the festival this past April, earned me a big hug from Chaz Ebert, and her gifting me a copy of Roger's book about Cannes.
The book is very much Roger's journal of the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, the year Barbet Schroeder showed "Barfly," Barbara Hershey starred in "Shy People," and Wim Wenders premiered "Wings of Desire."
While the highlights certainly center on the cast of celebrities, industry insiders, and Roger's fellow critics, for me the best parts are Roger's descriptions of the quiet morning ritual strolls along the rue Felix-Faure, and his cafe au lait and croissants while reading the Herald-Tribune. The infamous Bukowski tale about how "Barfly" got studio financing is in here, as well.
The book is very much Roger's journal of the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, the year Barbet Schroeder showed "Barfly," Barbara Hershey starred in "Shy People," and Wim Wenders premiered "Wings of Desire."
While the highlights certainly center on the cast of celebrities, industry insiders, and Roger's fellow critics, for me the best parts are Roger's descriptions of the quiet morning ritual strolls along the rue Felix-Faure, and his cafe au lait and croissants while reading the Herald-Tribune. The infamous Bukowski tale about how "Barfly" got studio financing is in here, as well.
June 4, 2022
Roger Ebert's TWO WEEKS IN THE MIDDAY SUN is an amusing retelling of his experience at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. Celebrity encounters blend with yearly rituals of his, with occasional anecdotes from previous editions thrown in.
The most fascinating element at play here is hindsight: we know that Cannon Group collapsed soon after, that Mickey Rourke became a massive star, that the marriage of Diana Spencer was not going to last, and that most of the films in competition were forgotten. We know this now, but Ebert and these people didn't, which makes this slightly bittersweet in how cruel time and the film industry have been to some of these individuals. A pleasant surprise.
The most fascinating element at play here is hindsight: we know that Cannon Group collapsed soon after, that Mickey Rourke became a massive star, that the marriage of Diana Spencer was not going to last, and that most of the films in competition were forgotten. We know this now, but Ebert and these people didn't, which makes this slightly bittersweet in how cruel time and the film industry have been to some of these individuals. A pleasant surprise.
December 5, 2016
This reprinted edition (with Ebert's sketches and a new introduction by Martin Scorsese) is a nice, gossipy in that "not US Weekly salacious gossip but look at all the people Ebert talked to and saw at Cannes" way. This was originally from his trip to 1987 Cannes, so it is interesting to see what endures from that year and what fell by the wayside. This also reminds me that I do miss Ebert's film critiques. (It's a wee bit bro-y in places, since this was prior to him marrying Chaz. IMO I think she straightened him out a bit.)
June 16, 2010
This book never fails to make me laugh. I bring it on nearly every international business trip, and can hardly wait to (re-)read about Billy "Silver Dollar" Baxter, pink noses, French attitudes about queues, and the movie industry. I would love to read an update on this from Ebert, even if it is just a short story.
May 9, 2015
By Roger Ebert's calculation this was his twelfth experience of the Cannes Film Festival, as documented in his personal 1987 journal (and accompanied by his drawings, be they what it may). Mostly a description of how movie deals are made; an interesting account, though.
Preferred his voice in his autobiography "Life, Itself." But of course, he'd been through quite a lot more of *life* by then.
Preferred his voice in his autobiography "Life, Itself." But of course, he'd been through quite a lot more of *life* by then.
January 23, 2008
Roger Ebert documents his experiences at one of the many Cannes Film Festivals he's attended. A fascinating look at what the movie business is all about. Worth reading just for the Gene Siskel anecdote.
January 30, 2014
RIP Roger Ebert. Wanted to get another fix of Ebert's writing and this certainly fits the bill. A fun little notebook on Ebert's experiences at the Cannes Film Festival, with the sort of anecdotes and stories that one would expect with this type of book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews