Sally Field’s memoir, In Pieces, is a fun, funny and sometimes tragically revealing look at one of Hollywood’s most successful actors. Born in 1946 to an actress, Field’s step-father was also a stunt-man and later an actor.
Sally Field shares honest appraisals of the often unglamourous side of acting. When she starred in her first television series, Gidget, at the age of eighteen, the shallowness of the storyline troubled her, but the series did last for two seasons. Another popular series, The Flying Nun followed for three seasons. Although the costuming as a flying nun was uncomfortable with wires poking her, the series had favorable reviews and firmly launched her career. Soon to come were widely popular movies such as Smokey and the Bandit, Sybil, Norma Rae, Places in the Heart, and a TV series, Brothers & Sisters, to name only a few big-screen and television productions. She has won numerous awards including the Academy Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe. Along the way, Field shares fun tidbits about her fellow actors and the incongruous side of movie-making.
The memoir delves into Field’s rocky childhood with an abusive step-father, her early marriage to her childhood sweetheart, and later, a long-standing and revealing relationship with actor Burt Reynolds.
I found Field’s writing unflinchingly honest and courageous, both in discussing her personal life and as an actor. She has the ability to laugh at herself, though her dedication to her craft is serious business. Sally Field has long been one of my favorite actors, and In Pieces has cemented my opinion.
I’ve always liked Sally Field, too.I think Places in the Heart might be my favorite movie of hers. But liked them all.
Yes, that’s one of my very favorites, too. I also really liked Murphy’s Romance. Thanks for your comment.