**Trailer:**
Dive into the fascinating world of Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, two literary giants whose foray into Hollywood screenwriting reveals a complex relationship with fame, art, and the American Dream. In *We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine*, Alissa Wilkinson explores how Didion’s life was deeply intertwined with Hollywood’s mythmaking machine. From her early fascination with John Wayne to her collaborative screenwriting career with Dunne, Didion’s journey is a testament to the blurred lines between art and commerce. But how much did they truly care about their cinematic legacy? Were they indifferent to criticism, or was their nonchalance a shield against the harsh realities of Hollywood? This exploration takes us through their eclectic filmography, from forgotten gems to ambitious flops, and uncovers the emotional stakes behind their work. With insights from Graydon Carter’s memoir and a closer look at their most intriguing projects, this is a story of ambition, ego, and the enduring power of storytelling.

**Paraphrased Digest:**
In her new book, *We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine*, Alissa Wilkinson examines Joan Didion’s life through the lens of Hollywood’s influence. Didion’s early fascination with John Wayne, her film criticism for *Vogue* and *National Review*, and her screenwriting collaborations with her husband, John Gregory Dunne, highlight her deep connection to the film industry. The couple moved to Los Angeles in 1964 to pursue screenwriting, producing seven scripts together. Wilkinson’s exploration raises questions about how much Didion and Dunne cared about the critical reception of their work, given their candid admission that their primary motivation was financial. Their diverse filmography, ranging from forgettable projects to ambitious endeavors, reflects their eclectic approach to storytelling. Graydon Carter’s memoir reveals that Dunne was deeply upset when the couple was excluded from a *Vanity Fair* feature on great screenwriters, suggesting that their screenwriting legacy mattered more to them than they let on. This nuanced portrait of Didion and Dunne’s Hollywood journey reveals the tension between artistic ambition and commercial success, offering a fresh perspective on their enduring influence.The text discusses several films and their connections to Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, highlighting their screenwriting contributions and the thematic elements of the movies. Here’s a paraphrased summary with a trailer-like paragraph:

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**Trailer:**
Dive into a cinematic journey through the lens of Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, where Hollywood glamour meets gritty realism. From the charmless antics of Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer in a screwball comedy to the raw, drug-fueled romance of *The Panic in Needle Park*, these films explore love, ambition, and despair. Witness Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson’s electric chemistry in *A Star Is Born*, a tale of rising and falling stars, and unravel the legal intrigue of *Broken Trust*, where power and corruption collide. Each film, whether a critical success or a commercial hit, carries the unmistakable mark of Didion and Dunne’s storytelling prowess.

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**Paraphrased Summary:**
The text reviews several films tied to Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne’s screenwriting careers. It begins with a critique of a movie originally intended as a biopic about Jessica Savitch, which instead leans into a female-empowerment narrative with a screwball-comedy twist. The reviewer found the performances of Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer unappealing. Next, *Play It As It Lays* is discussed, a film adaptation of Didion’s novel, criticized for its nihilistic tone and lack of emotional engagement, despite Anthony Perkins’ standout performance.

*The Panic in Needle Park*, Didion and Dunne’s first screenplay, is described as a gritty portrayal of drug addiction, starring Al Pacino and Kitty Winn. The film’s realism and focus on heroin addiction are noted as its defining features. *A Star Is Born* (1976) is highlighted as their most commercially successful work, though it faced criticism. The film, starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson, was reworked to emphasize the love story, diverging from Didion and Dunne’s original documentary-like approach.

Finally, *Broken Trust*, a 1990s legal thriller starring Tom Selleck, is mentioned for its ribald dialogue and period-specific aesthetics. While not groundbreaking, it stands out as a solid entry in Turner Network Television’s lineup. The text reflects on Didion and Dunne’s versatility as writers, from gritty realism to Hollywood romance, and their ability to leave a lasting imprint on each project.**Trailer: The Cinematic Journey of Didion and Dunne**

In the realm of screenwriting, Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne carved a unique niche, blending literary finesse with cinematic vision. Their adaptation of Hemingway’s *Hills Like White Elephants* (1990), directed by Tony Richardson, stands as a testament to their craft. Starring James Woods and Melanie Griffith, this HBO feature is a masterclass in dialogue refinement, with Didion and Dunne skillfully trimming and enhancing Hemingway’s prose to suit the screen. Their work here hints at the potential to rival the legendary Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, had they pursued more such projects.

Their crowning achievement, however, lies in *True Confessions* (1981), a noir film directed by Ulu Grosbard. Based on Dunne’s 1977 novel, which drew inspiration from the infamous Black Dahlia murder, the film boasts a stellar cast, including Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall. Despite mixed critical reception, Didion held this project in high regard, considering it one of her most satisfying screenwriting endeavors.

Yet, one can’t help but wonder: why didn’t Didion and Dunne produce more works of this caliber? Were they sidetracked by other creative pursuits, the allure of Hollywood, or personal responsibilities? Perhaps the answer lies in the tension between art and commerce—a struggle that even the most talented artists face when financial motives overshadow creative passion. Their legacy, though limited in quantity, remains a compelling exploration of storytelling across mediums.