My thanks to NetGalley and Akashic Books for an advance copy of this memoir by an actress who has created a singular career that is as true to herself as possible, following her own mind, and her own feelings, and more importantly defending herself in ways that were hard, sometimes isolating, and yet made her life that much richer.
Audacity is a word that has taken on a negative connotation in our language. A world for boldness, for living ones life according their own rules, and accepting the consequences, not matter how fair or unfair they might be. That is something that is frowned on in Modern America. We have gone from embracing the ideas of individual freedom, to being a society that is similar to the famous Chinese saying, the nail that sticks out will be hammered into place. Or Twittered into submission, social media-ed into acceptance. This is hard for an individual, even harder if that individual is a woman or a minority. And if one is involved in the entertainment industry, this is even worse. A woman has to be young, desirable, non-ethnic, non-challenging, willing to listen to those who know better, usually men. And that's where audacity stands out. The audacity of an individual like Gina Gershon. An actress of stage and screen, a singer, a musician, a puncher of Bob Dylan (by accident), Gershon has led a life, had a career that has gone many places, done many things, many of the frowned on by agents, the populous, and others in Hollywood. But never her family, and never ever herself. AlphaPussy, is a memoir, guide to life, and a key to having a career that might not be flashy and influencer-ish, but one that is true, honest, filled with some mistakes, but all embraced by the person doing, them. A person living life.
Gina Gershon was the third child of a family living in the San Fernando Valley of California, before the Valley was The Valley, and the Valley got weird. Gershon grew up in a supportive family in ways, though her siblings sounded like tiny terrors. Gershon had a freedom that is rare today, going to school by herself, allowing to experience things, some good, some bad, some scary. All of these moments helped create the person that Gershon is now. From learning to drive at 14, drug use, sneaking into the movies, learning to play pinball, and dance. And of course acting. When the Valley got too much, the family moved to Beverly Hills, where Gershon was able to learn more of the arts that she loved. Hear she trained, met other famous people, and got a taste for entertaining that has never left. Being creative was important, both on stage, learning to play instruments, and being true to who she is. Culminating in a role that was to change everything, an experience, worthy of a book itself, the movie Showgirls.
The book is much more than Showgirls, a movie people love to hate. I really enjoyed this book right from the beginning. There is an honesty, a truth to Gershon's writing, that lacks the polish of ghostwriter, or one trying to make a cool story, for cool people to enjoy. There is just too much honesty, too much emotion. Gershon looks at her past, growing up, problems with her Mom, therapy, drugs, family, and starting off in entertainment. There are a lot of funny stories, but more importantly stories about being true to oneself, and listening to that inner voice. Things might have gotten bad in a few occasions, but that inner voice kept her safe. And made her write. There is a lot her, stories of celebs, friends, even the paranormal. Gershon has a great writing style, sharing with the reader rather than telling, and making one want to know more. Not about the big things, but the little things.
A fascinating and fun memoir, painful sometimes, hilarious in others. Ghosts, Chippendales, Tom Cruise, Roger Corman movies, and much more. A book for fan's of the author's work, of course. However this might be a good book for that young woman who has doubts about herself, a fear of listening to that inner voice. Gina Gershon would be the perfect muse for that person. I hope there are more volumes to come in these memoirs. Maybe even a novel or two.