New Books in Popular Culture Lester D. Friedman, "Citizen Spielberg" (U of Illinois Press, 2022)
Nov 17, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Lester D. Friedman, an esteemed professor and author, dives into the cinematic legacy of Steven Spielberg. He refutes the notion of Spielberg as merely a purveyor of spectacle, portraying him instead as a profound artist whose films often explore themes of family and morality. Friedman reflects on how Spielberg's work has evolved, from critiques of technology in Jurassic Park to the poignant storytelling in Schindler's List. He also highlights the socio-economic themes in West Side Story and shares insights on Spielberg's artistic vision that continues to resonate.
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Book Sparked By Student Request
- Lester Friedman began his Spielberg project after students asked for a course and he found surprisingly little scholarly work on Spielberg.
- He started writing despite not being a "Spielberg lover" and developed his perspective while teaching and researching interviews.
West Side Story Surprised Critics
- Friedman approached West Side Story with trepidation but found Spielberg deepened its socioeconomics and visual storytelling.
- He highlights staging choices, like Jets on rubbish, that sharpen the film's class critique.
Spielberg As A Genre Auteur
- Friedman reorganized his book by genre because Spielberg is fundamentally a genre filmmaker whose obsessions recur across genres.
- Themes like broken families and ordinary men saving communities repeat in Jaws, Duel, West Side Story, and beyond.
