Prior to examining this history, Koresky provides necessary context, pointing out the difference between representation and acceptance .... Not only is Michael Koresky master of his subject matter, he writes with uncommon clarity, precision, and verve. His love for the possibilities inherent in the art of film is obvious ... I came away from this marvelous book with a fresh appreciation for movie making, the ultimate collaborative undertaking. Dozens of people, artists in their own right, bring different skills, experiences, and sensibilities to the process. As Koresky shows, it’s complicated, equal parts remarkable and insidious at the same time. The competing aims of commerce and art—the split personality of American cinema—further tangle the process.
Sick and Dirty will appeal to film students, aficionados, and anyone who wants to better understand the artistic tensions and limitations during this period.
Revelatory ... Koresky wears his erudition lightly, teasing out the mixed messages of code-era films with aplomb. It’s a sterling work of film criticism.
