Film Industry

Nearly every story in this collection makes direct or indirect reference to the film industry, and the stories utilize this juxtaposition to more pointedly explore the characters’ personal struggles. The American film industry is often known for presenting very clean, marketable narratives with optimistic views on life. Meanwhile, nearly all the characters in this story collection struggle with complicated personal issues that have no clear path towards resolution or happiness. Many of the stories draw direct narrative links between the film industry and unhappiness. For example, in “Los Angeles,” both Alice and Oona have vague ambitions of being actors. The narrations states, “The sad fact of this city: the thousands of actresses…energy dissipating into nothingness” (38). In this story, Alice struggles under stifling dynamics of aimlessness and limited financial means, which directly contrast the mythical glory of Hollywood. The collection often uses these contrasts to...