Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins: The Autobiography

Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins: The Autobiography

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Editorial Reviews

An element of drama has always attended Rupert Everett, even before he swept to fame with his outstanding performances in such popular films as My Best Friend's Wedding and Shakespeare in Love. He was in Moscow during the fall of communism; in Berlin the night the wall came down; and in downtown Manhattan on September 11th. By the age of 17 he was friends with Andy Warhol and Bianca Jagger, and since then he has been up close and personal with some of the most famous women in the world: Julia Roberts, Madonna, Sharon Stone, and Donatella Versace. From the eccentricities of the British upper classes to the madness of Hollywood, from the Russian steppes to an Easter egg hunt in Elizabeth Taylor's garden, Everett reveals himself as a consummate storyteller and a charming guide to life in the fast lane.

Customer Reviews

bitchy and unpleasant

Reviewed by N. Brett, 2009-12-27


2.0 out of 5 stars bitchy and unpleasant, 27 Dec 2009
By N. Brett (Wiltshire, England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
I started this book a year ago, and only just picked it up in order to finish it. That in itself should tell you that I was neither that impressed or that engaged. In the interim period some of his public behaviour (in the UK charity Apprentice) made him appear very lightweight indeed.

Rupert Everett offers us an autobiography of an average actor, a very gay rake and wanders through a bohemian decadence while offering us bitchy gossip as he minces through his life.

Yes there is the odd bid of interesting gossip (Madonna and Sharon Stone come to mind) but generally, while actually quite well written, this will not endear many of us to the actor. To me he came over as an unpleasant parasite, very little moral fibre or affection is shown and everyone is described as a "queen" and he adores most people as much as they apparently adore him.
The only time he shows any emotion is when his dog dies, even when he describes charity work, it feels as if he is going though the motions rather then having any passion for the charity concerned.

So maybe my judgement was clouded by not liking Rupert Everett very much before I read this, but having read it, I like him a little bit less.

looked forward to listening to it

Reviewed by AKA, 2008-10-07

This was a great 'read' for a road trip. Full of celebrity gossip and snappy language. The colorful bites Everett flings at actresses such as Kathleen Bates , Sharon Stone, Madonna and Julia Roberts are clipped by 'oh, but she IS a DARLING!' and a second follow up of the actresses wonderful points.

For instance RE says Madonna had star quality unlike any celebrity he had ever met, but her eyes were so far apart another millicentirmeter further would have made her look deranged. Sharon Stone comes off as just plain looney--but then she has beautiful skin. Funny scene on New Year's Eve at Versace's house in Miami when Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow dish J-Low.

Everett hobnobbed with the pop culture/Hollywood/ fashion gliterrati of the 80s and found himself living in happening places, such as South Beach, when it was the center of the nouveau riche/ hip social world. He saw a lot of ups and downs and friends die of AIDS. His viewpoint is not ust snappy but also tender.

One criticism--not a mention of what was going on in the bigger world --other than in his world of show biz, gay life, and celebrity life.

Fine read!

Reviewed by Jon Karsen, 2008-04-17

This book is written in a strange literal style of English Brit.

I never realized that Rupert was a creator?? He really didn't get any breaks until My Best Friend's Wedding. Before that he did theatre and starred in some rarity of films! Okay! Luv ya!

I never realized how painful it was for him to finally admit that he was *poof*? He slept with so many fishes (thank you Men on Film, ie. Blaine) and blokes. While at his religious boarding school, he prayed to God and asked Him -with a vengeance- why he loved other boys? If it wasn't for his fiancé's miscarriage, he would've remained in the closet and miserable living a lie! Everything happens for a reason.

His book confirms that he was proud of The Next Best Thing, and not ashamed of it- in my opinion he was? He's gay/queer and proud!!!

What a Boring Read!

Reviewed by Robert Hanks, 2008-02-13

I have to tell you that I had the highest expectations for Mr. Everett's autobiography, but found it to be one of the dullest tomes that I have ever read - and I have read many. There are few redeeming factors in his writing; and it would have been helpful too if the editor/publisher had proof-read the galleys for typos. It's really a sad tale of a performer that was happy to be around the edges of performance, but I gather had a core of self-defeatism - but had extreme talents and a background to be a break out star. Perhaps it's because Mr. Everett is an extremely talented musician and actor - not to mention one of the most handsome men in the world - that he squandered his bountiful gifts and then unfortunately told the tale in a manner that would bore the most ardent fan. He is spreading himself too thin. Red Carpets is a rag tag tale of his associations with some famous (such as Andy Warhol - my mother, actress Jean Parker, met Mr. Warhol in 1973, and was terrified by him)who he describes as a blank poseur, or really blank; and a bunch of Euro Trash and vapid, talentless hangers on.

I'd really like to see Rupert try again - keep his pithy remarks but for god's sake learn to tell a story.

Bob Hanks, Redondo Beach, CA

Exactly what I expected.

Reviewed by G. Miller, 2008-01-15

The book is entertaining and interesting (to me). The man lives the life of a movie actor, and that's what the book details clearly. Reading it gave me fresh insight into show business. I appreciate that Rupert is a relatively young man to write an autobiography, and that if he writes another in 30 or 40 years it may show a life reflected upon by a more mature man.