Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story

by Glyn Davis

Banned by the Carpenter estate, Todd Haynes' experimental biopic "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story" (which uses Barbie dolls to narrate the tragic life of the American singer) has become a cult hit because of both its controversy and its rarity. This study details the film's fascinating history: its production and initial reception, its journey through the courts, and its bootleg circulation among fans. It also explores "Superstar"'s rich, provocative, and moving content, paying close attention to the film's aesthetics, generic form, and cultural position as a hybrid text.

117 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Forest Juziuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure if I could ask for more – this was a great read for nerds of the film.