Alan Rudolph's Trouble in Mind: Tampering with Myths

Caryl Flinn's book "Trouble in Mind: Alan Rudolph and the American Independent Cinema of the 1980s" argues that filmmaker Alan Rudolph is long overdue for critical re-evaluation and that his 1985 film "Trouble in Mind" deserves a place in the limelight. Flinn explores the film's influence on indie filmmaking, Rudolph's dream-like style, and the external political influences of the Reagan era.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 172 pages
Publication date: 11 December 2023
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Filmmaker Alan Rudolph has had a career spanning over forty years, yet he has largely flown under the radar of independent film scholars and enthusiasts. He is often remembered as Robert Altman's protege, but through a close reading of his 1985 film "Trouble in Mind," Caryl Flinn argues that Rudolph is long overdue for critical re-evaluation. In her book, Flinn explores the influence of "Trouble in Mind" on indie filmmaking, Rudolph's dream-like style, and the external political influences of the Reagan era. She effectively conveys the originality of Rudolph's work through this multifaceted film, which examines the complexities of identity and the American Dream.

Utilizing archival materials and interviews with Rudolph himself and his collaborators, Flinn makes a compelling case for the relevance of "Trouble in Mind" to American independent cinema and the 1980s. The book is amply illustrated with frame enlargements and set photographs, providing new insights into the production stories and reception contexts of this film, which Flinn believes deserves a place in the limelight.

"Trouble in Mind" is a testament to Rudolph's talent as a filmmaker and his ability to create films that are both visually stunning and thought-provoking. It is a must-read for anyone interested in independent cinema and the history of American film.

Weight: 186g
Dimension: 126 x 176 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472039395