“Love matters a little, but luck matters more.”The words of thirty-five-year-old David Melman’s Jewish grandmother still haunt him. He’s scared to settle down. Instead, he dates twenty-something pop stars that he meets through his celebrity-branding business. But when his niece and nephew inform him that he’s hit “rock bottom” with his latest inappropriate relationship, David realizes that change … realizes that change might be in order-so when his sister Marcy, with her own ulterior motive, pushes him to take a film-writing class taught by her friend Laurel, he agrees.
Will writing a movie about a childhood visit to his grandparents in Florida, an unforgettable driving lesson, and a 1977 Cadillac bring David love? Luck? Or both?
Alternating between David’s present-day life and his past through his movie script, Chuckerman Makes a Movie is a romantic comedy blended with a comedic coming-of-age.
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It’s not often that I laugh out loud when reading a book, but this novel has many “LOL-worthy” moments – and an equal number of heartwarming and poignant ones. The protagonist, David, needs to grow up – and his sister conspires to make that happen by sending him to a screenwriting class with a colorful, outspoken, cowboy boots wearing instructor. The story alternates between the present and David’s childhood memories of his Jewish grandparent’s in their Florida retirement home, with a wonderful array of colorful characters, told through the screenplay he is writing for the class. Part romantic comedy, part coming of age, Arenson’s novel was a pure joy to read – and as fun as a ’77 “Caddy” ride!
You’ll Chuckle with Chuckerman—Enjoy the Ride.
This one goes down as easy as a Neil Simon comedy, which it will remind you of, in the best possible way.
The foundation of the story is a big, loud Jewish family filled with irascible, yet loveable characters, including a successful but unmarried son. This simply cannot continue—and everyone’s in on the action.
The brilliance of the story is the conceit. Chuckerman, the child/man narrator, is “sent” to a screenwriting class by his sister as as a creative fix-up with the instructor, an “is she or isn’t she” potential Jewish convert—in cowboy boots, no less. He’s attracted but wary and genuinely tries to take the class as seriously as he can. His screenplay, he decides, will be tales of his childhood featuring his grandparents and their colorful array of extended family and “friends” in a Florida retirement home—the source of his inheritance of a big old Cadillac that symbolizes his freedom. Writing the screenplay functions as foreplay/courting but ends up in inevitable self-discovery.
The hero, David, despite his commitment issues, is an almost too good to be true guy, as if out of a Nancy Meyers movie, clearly written by a woman. But you’ll love and root for him all the more—as if you’re a member of his family.
The book proceeds and ends up precisely where it should. It’s a hell of a ride. The author tells us in the acknowledgements that it took a long time for her to write this book, but I think it was because it was just too much fun to let go.
I can’t wait for the movie, especially the scene where everyone in the family gives Chuckerman advice on his love life—loudly and simultaneously—while eating bagels. Go ahead split one, and split a gut at the same time as you read this for pure delight.
I wasn’t interested in the subject matter. I didn’t even finish reading it.
I was surprised by my enjoyment of this novel. I have no experience with a 35 year old Jewish man in New York, or with the structure of a screenplay, and yet I was delighted to learn.
Not a missive nor thought-provoking, just likeable characters you know in your own life. And fun!
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Laugh out Loud funny! And, such an authentic family portrayal. Loved it!
Chuckerman Makes a Movie is that rare delight of a book that exceeds initial high expectations and manages to be funny, heartwarming, and memorable in an immensely entertaining package. With big time nods from several media outlets, this debut novel delivers on many levels. While the main character gets educated on scriptwriting, the reader gets a happy and hilarious dose of life in a classic Jewish family’s 1970s Miami Beach experience. All the necessary tropes are there, but with a fondness and respect that endear the reader to the characters and give weight to the pull of the later grown-up considerations–relationship, commitment, family influence, and the legacies of childhood. The novel’s light touch and fine writing perfectly showcase the poignant side of this otherwise rollicking story. Do not miss this treasure of a book!