Moving Pictures: An Autobiography Paperback – May 13, 2020

Ms. MacGraw has a self-deprecating sense of humour that is evident throughout the book. And she can certainly tell an interesting story when it comes to the first 50 years of her life. I think she has far more acting talent than she gives her self credit for and sadly that lack of self confidence took a large toll on her. Of course, in the 30 plus years since she wrote this book (it was published in 1991) she has successfully walked many other paths whilst in my view retaining all her allure and attraction even at the age of nearly 85. They say you should never meet your heroes. I would gladly run this risk if I ever had the chance to meet Ms. MacGraw safe in the knowledge I would not for a moment be disappointed.

I've become a fan of Steve McQueen so MOVING PICTURES was one book I had to read. I remember the scandalos affair Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen had in the early 70's. I always assumed McGraw had ruined McQueen's marriahe to his first wife Neile but it was McQueen who ruined McGraw's life on all levels.I had read once that Ali McGraw was not proud of this book and that she wrote it for the money. Whether that is true or not, it did lead me to read the book with low expectations. Surprisingly, I finished the book with a new respect for Ali McGraw and a bit of sadness knowing she gave up a hot film career to be Mrs. Steve McQueen. She was the beloved star of the moment after LOVE STORY, but it was THE GETAWAY with Steve McQueen that sealed her fate and not for the better.McGraw is honest about her flaws and mistakes. Her book is sometimes confusing as it is not written in a linear fashion. It stars interestingly enough with her meeting Robert Evans and a fairtale but stiffling marriage. She jumps from the past to the present and everything in between in her book and somehow it works for the most part. MOVING PICTURES could have been so much more had there been someone to guide and nurture McGraw in her career.I was surprised to learn that McGraw had worked for fashion guru Diana Vreeland in her young days and eventually worked as a model. Her tidbits about Vreeland are enough to fill a fascinating book. What an incredible career McGraw had and lost.Needless to say, the "meat" of the book is her time with Steve McQueen. She acknowledges knowing early on that the realtionship was doomed but she could not resist her love for Steve McQueen. McQueen was never famous for his respectful treatment of women, so McGraw ending up being a housewife and giving up her career for McQueen. Again, there is enough material here for a book just on her relationship with McQueen and the pain it caused her throughout her life.MOVING PICTURES is a work in progress. McGraw tries to tie up all the loose ends by appearing to have conquered all of her demons by going into rehab. The drugs, alcohol and men are behind her and she is now a woman at peace with herself..or is she? It's time for a new book from McGraw that can look back at her life with a wisdom that comes with age. Steve McQueen has been dead for over 30 years and I wonder how his memory and their love still affects her.McGraw's book is certainly worth the read if you have ever wondered about who she was other than the girl in LOVE STORY. Here is a story of love ruining a life and destroying a bright future. Was it worth it?

I was a teenaged girl in love with her high-school boyfriend when "Love Story" came out, so of course, it was a must-see for us on date night. He hated it. I loved it. Yes, I found her acting wooden (I was a star of my high-school plays, therefore, I figured I was qualified to judge her performance . . . wrong), but I was mesmerized by the scenery, her cool clothes, and the car Ryan O'Neal's Oliver drove. I loved the Cambridge location shots, the NYC shots, and the snowy landscapes. All in all, I now realize it was a treacly movie with a treacly script, but, even with her only adequate acting, Ali MacGraw's magnetism was undeniable. I became a fan, and I always saw whatever she appeared in, with the exception of her short stint on "Dynasty." NOTHING could get me to watch "Dynasty." At any rate, I found her book honest, soul-baring (to a degree), and entertaining in the way that books about celebrities you have known of all your life can be entertaining. You have to wonder, and she does, herself, how a woman of her accomplishment and intelligence could so easily be railroaded into inappropriate relationships with men who are all wrong for her. She reaches an epiphany of sorts after her stint in rehab, but you are still left with the feeling that you don't really know what her internal struggles were and if she really did overcome them. The book sort of falls apart after the chapters devoted to the McQueen marriage (a disaster). There was nothing surprising about how McQueen treated her. It has been covered before. What I did like was that she honestly regrets that she did not stand her ground by refusing to sign that prenup. She gave up her only source of income for him, and he did not protect her when the end came. At the time, she got kudos for leaving with only what she took into the marriage, but honestly, she should have been provided for, and she is now honest enough to say so. There is one bit she did not tell, and I wish she had, as it would have been interesting to get her take on it. The Sue Mengers book, "Can I Go Now?" (a very good, interesting, worthwhile book) describes a visit Katherine Hepburn made to the McQueen house in Malibu to try to convince McQeen to do a film with her. From the moment she walked in, she was barking orders at MacGraw, who was probably in awe of her and unable to object, and belittling her, even rudely criticizing what MacGraw had served her for lunch. If I recall correctly, Hepburn called MacGraw "Girl" when she addressed her. Now THAT would have been a great read from MacGraw's perspective. As I read that, I imagined a very bitter old woman, far past her prime as a movie star, seething with anger and envy at the sight of the beautiful young woman, former model and movie star herself. I like Ali MacGraw even more after having read this book, though I don't feel I know her any better at all. That's okay. She is entitled to share only what she feels she can share without selling her soul. She is a classic.

Excellent read.

I recommend this book if you are an Ali Macgraw fan. It was written by her and is well done.

The 'raw' honesty made this a most compelling read.

Bought the book for a friend so can’t review content but the book was spotted with brown marks on the pages not suitable as a gift. Rated as good ,I’d say fair.

Great read certainly has had a few lives with ups and downs along the wayAli has left a wonderful gift in her book for her son cheers Glen