Commonwealth Club of California Podcast Alissa Wilkinson: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine
Mar 23, 2025
Alissa Wilkinson, a film critic for the New York Times and author focused on Joan Didion, analyzes Didion's profound influence on American culture. They discuss Didion's iconic storytelling and her ability to capture societal anxieties through cinematic narratives. Wilkinson highlights Didion’s complicated relationship with Hollywood, balancing commercial screenwriting and personal memoir. She also reflects on Didion’s legacy of grief and political evolution, revealing how personal narratives shape both art and cultural discourse.
01:06:33
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Joan Didion: Legacy and Grief
02:41 • 8min
The Balancing Act of Film Critique and Emotional Engagement
10:29 • 5min
Icon and Vulnerability: A Tribute to John Wayne
15:02 • 6min
Unraveling Joan Didion: Truth and Narrative
21:21 • 29min
The Journey of Writing and Editing a Relevant Book
50:47 • 3min
Political Evolution and Literary Legacy
53:51 • 12min
Up Close and Personal
Up Close and Personal
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Joan Didion
John Gregory Dunne
While not a book itself, "Up Close and Personal" is a screenplay written by Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, adapted into a film. The story follows the relationship between a television news reporter and a cameraman. The screenplay is known for its sharp dialogue and insightful portrayal of the television news industry. The film version further explores themes of ambition, betrayal, and the search for meaning in a fast-paced world. The screenplay's exploration of the human condition in the context of the television news industry continues to resonate with audiences.
The Panic in Needle Park
The Panic in Needle Park
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John Gregory Dunne
Joan Didion
While not a book itself, "The Panic in Needle Park" is a screenplay written by Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne, adapted into a film. The story follows a young couple struggling with heroin addiction in New York City. The screenplay is known for its gritty realism and unflinching portrayal of addiction. The film version further explores themes of desperation, despair, and the search for escape. The screenplay's exploration of the human condition in the context of addiction continues to resonate with audiences.
We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live
Joan Didion
Joan Didion's "We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live" delves into the human tendency to create narratives to cope with life's complexities. The book explores themes of grief, loss, and the fragility of memory, particularly in the context of Didion's personal experiences. Didion's insightful prose examines how we construct our identities and understanding of the world through storytelling. The essays in this collection offer a poignant reflection on the human condition and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Didion's signature style, characterized by precise language and unflinching honesty, makes this a powerful and moving read.
Griffin Dunne's book
Griffin Dunne's book
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John Gregory Dunne
Fixed ideas
America After 9/11
Joan Didion
Joan Didion's "Fixed Ideas: America After 9/11" is a collection of essays reflecting on the events of September 11, 2001, and their impact on American society. Didion examines the immediate aftermath of the attacks, exploring the emotional and political responses to the tragedy. Her insightful prose analyzes the ways in which the events shaped national identity and political discourse. The essays delve into themes of grief, loss, and the search for meaning in the face of national trauma. "Fixed Ideas" is a powerful and moving reflection on a pivotal moment in American history.
Run River
Run River
Joan Didion
Joan Didion's "Run River" is a novel that explores the complexities of family relationships and the changing landscape of California. The book follows the intertwined lives of several characters as they navigate the challenges of love, loss, and ambition. Didion's insightful prose examines the ways in which personal lives are shaped by place and history. The novel delves into themes of identity, memory, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. "Run River" is a powerful and moving exploration of the human condition in the context of a changing California.
Salvador
Joan Didion
Joan Didion's "Salvador" is a non-fiction account of the author's experiences in El Salvador during the country's civil war. The book offers a powerful and moving portrayal of the violence and suffering that characterized the conflict. Didion's insightful prose examines the complexities of the war, exploring the political and social factors that fueled the conflict. The book delves into themes of power, ideology, and the human cost of war. "Salvador" is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in the context of a brutal and protracted conflict.
Break the Frame, Conversations with Women Filmmakers
Break the Frame, Conversations with Women Filmmakers
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Kevin Smoakler
Miami
Miami
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Joan Didion
Joan Didion's "Miami" offers a sharp and insightful look at the city's unique culture and history. The book explores the complexities of identity and belonging in a rapidly changing urban landscape. Didion's signature style, characterized by precise language and unflinching honesty, makes this a powerful and moving read. The book delves into themes of immigration, social class, and the search for meaning in a world of shifting values. "Miami" is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition in the context of a vibrant and dynamic city.
Play It As It Lays
Joan Didion
Set in the landscapes of Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the Mojave Desert, 'Play It As It Lays' is a searing portrait of a woman and a society in crisis. The novel follows Maria Wyeth, a former actress whose life is marked by her failed career, a troubled marriage, and the institutionalization of her daughter. Through sparse and haunting prose, Didion explores themes of nihilism, the superficiality of Hollywood culture, and the personal disintegration of Maria as she navigates a world that seems devoid of meaning and purpose.
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
Joan Didion
Slouching Towards Bethlehem is a collection of essays by Joan Didion that captures the essence of 1960s America, especially in California. The book includes twenty essays that cover a wide range of topics, from the counterculture movement in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district to personal narratives and character portraits. Didion's essays explore themes such as the decline of traditional values, the disillusionment of the American Dream, and the tumultuous social changes of the era. The title essay, 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem,' is a vivid portrayal of the hippie culture and its contrast with its idealized representations, drawing imagery from W.B. Yeats' poem 'The Second Coming.' The collection also includes essays like 'On Keeping a Notebook' and 'Goodbye to All That,' which reflect on Didion's personal life and writing habits. Through her keen observations and vivid storytelling, Didion provides an unflinching and insightful overview of America during the 1960s.
The White Album
Joan Didion
The White Album is a collection of essays by Joan Didion, published in 1979, which delves into the chaos and cultural upheavals of the 1960s. The book blends personal narratives with broader societal trends, including reflections on the Black Panthers, the Charles Manson murders, and the counterculture of California. Didion's unique voice offers a vivid portrayal of a pivotal era in American history.
Political fictions
Joan Didion
Political Fictions is a collection of essays by Joan Didion that critically examines the American political landscape from the late 1980s to the early 2000s. The book deconstructs the narratives of three presidential campaigns, the impeachment of Bill Clinton, and the role of journalists like Bob Woodward. Didion's essays reveal how political narratives are crafted and how they shape public perception, providing a disturbing portrait of American democracy.
A Star is Born
A Star is Born
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Bradley Cooper
Bradley Cooper's 'A Star is Born' is a romantic drama that follows the complex relationship between a seasoned musician and a rising star. The film explores themes of love, ambition, and the challenges of fame and addiction. The narrative is characterized by its realistic portrayal of the music industry, powerful performances, and emotionally resonant soundtrack. The film's exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams creates a sense of empathy and understanding. 'A Star is Born' is a masterclass in character-driven storytelling, showcasing Cooper's ability to create relatable and emotionally resonant characters.
Democracy
Joan Didion
Set in Hawaii and Southeast Asia at the end of the Vietnam War, 'Democracy' follows Inez Christian Victor, the wife of Senator Harry Victor, and her complex relationship with Jack Lovett, a CIA agent and war profiteer. The novel delves into themes of American politics, public and private life, the media, and image management. It is narrated by Joan Didion, who presents herself as an acquaintance of Inez, adding a layer of personal and reflective storytelling. The book is characterized by its fragmented structure, reflecting the anxiety and sense of helplessness of the modern age, and it critiques the superficiality of liberal politics and the disillusionment of contemporary life.
Where I was from
Joan Didion
Joan Didion's "Where I Was From" is a deeply personal and insightful exploration of her family history and its connection to the mythology of the American West. The book delves into the complexities of her family's past, revealing both the triumphs and tragedies that shaped her identity. Didion masterfully weaves together personal anecdotes, historical accounts, and sharp observations on the changing landscape of California. The narrative challenges romanticized notions of the West, exposing the darker realities of its settlement and the lasting impact of colonialism. Ultimately, "Where I Was From" is a poignant reflection on the enduring power of place and the search for meaning in a constantly evolving world.
Blue nights
Joan Didion
A poignant reflection on motherhood, loss, and the passage of time, exploring the complexities of family relationships.
The Year of Magical Thinking
Joan Didion
In 'The Year of Magical Thinking,' Joan Didion recounts the year after her husband's sudden death, delving into the intense and often irrational nature of grief. The book is a raw and unflinching account of her emotional journey, detailing her 'magical thinking' – the belief that her husband would return. Didion also navigates her daughter's severe health crises and grapples with the fragility of life. The memoir blends personal narrative with investigative journalism, citing medical literature and psychological studies to understand the grieving process. It is a powerful exploration of loss, memory, and the human experience of mourning[1][3][5].
Joan Didion opened The White Album (1979) with what would become an iconic line: “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” Today this phrase is deployed inspirationally, printed on T-shirts and posters, and used as a battle cry for artists and writers. But Didion had something much less rosy in mind: our tendency to manufacture delusions to ward away our anxieties whenever society seems to be spinning off its axis. And nowhere was this collective hallucination more effectively crafted than in Hollywood.
Alissa Wilkinson examines Joan Didion’s influence through the lens of American myth-making. As a young girl, Didion was infatuated with John Wayne and his on-screen bravado, and was fascinated by her California pioneer ancestry and the infamous Donner Party. The mythos that preoccupied her early years continued to influence her work as a magazine writer and film critic in New York, offering glimmers of the many stories Didion told herself that would eventually unravel.
Wilkinson traces Didion’s journey from New York to her arrival in Hollywood as a screenwriter at the twilight of the old studio system. Didion became embroiled in the glitz and glamor of the Los Angeles elite, where she acutely observed―and denounced―how the nation’s fears and dreams were sensationalized on screen. Meanwhile, she paid the bills writing movie scripts like A Star Is Born, while her books propelled her to personal fame.
Join us to hear Wilkinson dissect the cinematic motifs and machinations that informed Didion’s writing, detail Hollywood’s addictive grasp on the American imagination, and delve into Didion’s legacy, whose impact will be felt for generations.
Organizer: George Hammond
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