Mike Nichols

"Employing innovative conceptual models attuned to the complexities of psychological realism, language and dialogic silence, and 'chameleon' acting styles, Stevens argues incisively and convincingly for a full reassessment of Nichols' achievement and of the way critic/scholars designate cinematic auteurs. Absolutely engaging and beautifully written, Mike Nichols is intriguing every step of the way."--Timothy Corrigan, author of The Essay Film: From Montaigne, After Marker "This is not just a study of Nichols--although it surely ranks as an appreciative and nuanced assessment of the late director's career. Using Nichols' films as a fulcrum, Stevens rethinks some of the central assumptions of narrative fiction film, namely its theatrical and expressive functions and roots." --Amy Villarejo, author of Ethereal Queer: Television, Historicity, Desire "...this clear, elegant analysis does justice to the great director... For all of Stevens's command of theory, his great gift is his close analyses of individual shots, phrases, and moments from Nichols's work." -- CHOICE "Stevens's analysis proves equally illuminating when discussing the aesthetic and political role of improvisational dialogue in Nichols and [Elaine] May's sketches..." -Film Quarterly "This special book tells the fascinating tale of Mike Nichols, an extraordinary man who made many major contributions to the American stage and cinema as an actor and producer as well as a theater and film director...[a] mature and thoughtful rendering of the long and complicated life of Mike Nichols. No doubt others will have a go at it as well in the years ahead, but surely this book will provide much that is useful for such future efforts." --Journal of American Culture