REVIEW: VIOLA DAVIS - FINDING ME: A MEMOIR

 

4/5

How To Get Away With Your Life.

Finding yourself in this life is hard to do. Especially if you've grown-up under the hand of poverty, physical abuse, racism and sexism. From the home to Hollywood. Still 'Fences', 'How To Get Away With Murder' and 'The Woman King' actress Viola Davis has survived and strived through all this like the Queen that she is. And now living to tell a tale that's still being told, she gives us her Oprah's Book Club choice autobiography 'Finding Me: A Memoir'. Sure, this book came out in April, just as the cherry blossom was dropping. But this fall you can't find a better book (although I'll let you know about 'The Storyteller' Dave Grohl, foo fighting) under your tree come December 25th.

Besides, it's fitting right now like Viola Davis' name in an envelope. EGOT (oh hey, Legend). That's what the first African-American to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting is about to get. The Tony's for 'Fences' and again the Oscar for her Academy Award-winning adaptation of the August Wilson play with Denzel Washington. The Emmy for getting away with murder. And the Grammy to come for this amazing autobiography audiobook that has joined me on the last month of mornings after the announcement of the nominations in November. Viola Davis should read children's books. Her voice is just that important and nurturing to the right side of history we should all be getting on. 

One of the TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People and number nine on The New York Times' list of the greatest actors of the 21st century is a real hero and real human being whose superpower has headlined everything from DC pictures (the 'Suicide Squad' movies to 'Black Adam'. Still here in the major overhaul of Gunn's ownership (sorry, Supes, that sucks)), to Chadwick Boseman's last movie (Netflix's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. Her show and another from August). Yet her latest ('The Woman King') of a real hero may just be her biggest and best blockbuster. We'd love an expanded epilogue reprise on this film to mark the EG(rammy)OT certification for the Queen who owns the crown like a 'Game Of Thrones'. 

But the ever versatile Viola's most powerful performance may be here in the words she wrote on her life script. Infused with an influence of inspiration and passion. As this is no act. This is the real deal like an uncompromising and unflinching Davis always is. This is real life. Real love like J. Blige. Mother Mary, how this autobiography sings to me. Give her the Grammy already. You want to peak over the 'Fences'? Know what she really thought of 'The Help'? Or the whole, I didn't 'Get Away With Murder', but if I did, here's how I'd have done it from this incredible character, always killing it with her acting? It's all here to read all about like a sandwich board. No Hollywood gossip, just love for the craft. In a world that's strangely devoid of actor autobiographies (Matthew McConaughey's 'Green Lights' of 2020 appearing to be both the most recent and first in absolute years). Musicians, sure. There's lyrics worth. But actors. Maybe they care more than that cliché that says it's all about themselves. 

Not a note of narcissism, the best book and most moving memoir since Michelle Obama's 'Becoming' (I have Barack's waiting for me when I get home this Christmas after a three-year lockdown induced wait) is all about helping others own their story and rise from all that tries to keep them down, just like the epically empowering Viola Davis has done. Want a quotable like the ones from the greatest artists and activists of our time that adorn these chapters? This whole book is full of these affirmations in black and white, like the portrait of this hardcover staring at you with the warmth of reassurance. Sure the musings of working with Meryl Streep and the memories of the late, great Philip Seymour strike a beautiful chord, no doubt. But it's no name-drop. And it's the family matters and those that stir the soul at the heart of this book and life still being lived to the upmost full. From watching her mother being beaten, to living with rats. To wishing upon the love of her life and becoming a star in the Hollywood Hills. It's all from the grace of God, who is a woman after all. One that looks like the same beautiful dark skin that was once told they wouldn't make it in this town. Right before they ran it like those old misogynistic, dinosaur notions out. This woman's work and worth is one of a warrior. You can find it in 'Me'. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Reading: 'Michelle Obama-Becoming', 'Alicia Keys-More Myself: A Journey', 'Matthew McConaughey-Green Lights'. 

REVIEW: WILL SMITH - WILL

4/5

When There's A Will.

West Philadelphia, born and raised. Will Smith doesn't have to start his autobiography this way to sell books. But I do, so f...wait a minute. I'm not Eminem. Want to know why the man who won the first rap Grammy (alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff) doesn't cuss in his raps (apart from one powerful moment with Mary J. Blige demanding 'Tell Me Why', albeit with a bleeped censor)? Want to talk about "the only reason your a## went to Miami", becoming a 'Bad Boy' and the King of the fourth of July like 'Independence Day', as this new 'Man In Black' cashed in on movies and music, sometimes at the same "here come the" damn time? Want to go for a battle of Will's when most tricks are unarmed? Or even learn why he throws up after orgasm (WHAT?!). Then pick up the Agent Smith who turned down 'The Matrix' and still became the one's memoirs for recent showbiz memory. And 'Will' yourself to read all about one of the most epic lives in all of entertainment across genres and platforms. Or listen to the audiobook accompaniment, narrated and rapped by the man himself in all its "whoo's", "haha's" and scoring sound effects. Closing with a real new rap for the record. From a Bel-Air mansion to a YouTube star in every home and all the Fresh Prince's and Big Willie's in between that had hilarious consequences for the British press and fan base. Nothing says cocky like "big d### weekend." But for all the hallmark hubris that never segues into arrogance despite his charismatic charm, Will is missing one of those from his head. 'Bad Boys', 'Independence Day', 'Men In Black', 'Enemy Of The State', ('Wild Wild West' (open bracket, we actually love it, like 'Bagger Vance'), 'Ali', the 'MIB' and 'Bad Boys' sequel (whatcha gonna do?), 'I, Robot', 'Shark Tale', 'Hitch', 'The Pursuit Of Happyness', 'I Am Legend', 'Hancock'. He may start off some chapters by listing off his decade plus reign as a Hollywood king (and that's before the music) and how much all those movies made grossly like we don't have IMDB, or he doesn't know how to read the room of who's reading his book. But believe me he's as self aware as the road leading to some of his longest highways to hell have been paved with good intentions. The central theme of 'Will' is that nothing is more important than love and family and getting and more importantly keeping both of those that are one in the same, dear reader has nothing to do with how much you make in terms of money or grand gestures (see a certain birthday gift). Even if you have the will like Smith, there needs to be a better way. 

The man that saved the world almost as many times as he saved the box office will show you the way, but you have to open that door, or in this case, turn that page. Giving you the 'Green Lights' like Matthew McConaughey's 2020 autobiography. This is akin to his good friend Tyrese Gibson's 'How To Get Out Of Your Own Way' self help or Keith B. Real of 'Big Willie Style' himself, 'Ali' cornerman Jamie Foxx also releasing a memoir of what really matters last fall with 'Act Like You Got Some Sense: And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me'. If you think you've had your fill of cinder block books, it's time to lay another brick. Save stories with the 'Ali' crew in Africa, the line learning between him and the late, great James Avery during that iconic "how come he don't want me, man" 'Fresh Prince' scene that has been meme'd and bastardised every time LeBron James fails to win a ring and the time he was so method he fell in love with Stockard Channing on the set of 'Six Degrees Of Separation'. There's not much in the way of 'Will' towards behind the scenes back-ups to those bodacious, braggadocious box-office boasts. But it's not tricking if you got it. And we are still treated to tales from the 'He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper' Jazzy Jeff days and the real reason Townes was thrown out the crib every time he rocked that gold shirt in the house. We also get inspired impressions. From grandma Gigi, to Daddio (check out his emotional tribute and life lesson that has now become a TikTok of all things for this generation on a book tour with 'When They See Us' director Ava DuVernay) and Charlie Mack ('First Out The Limo'), that we may not know personally, but feel like we do now. Not to mention the Smith family legacy the legend made like 'Dallas' years later. Talking about striving, struggling and soaring again after his first marriage with the love of his life Jada. Giving it up for her rocking heavy metal band Wicked Wisdom and the sage story behind it's skeleton key conception. All whilst getting candid about why he couldn't say a word to the late, great GOAT of rapping, the poet Tupac Shakur. 

Parents just don't understand. But the 'Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble' rapper is trying his damndest. From the privacy of Trey Smith shunning the spotlight, to Jaden wanting emancipation after 'After Earth'. It's all part of the purist of a real happiness, no typo as this family goes and gets it...period. One of the most inspired stories being the time that Willow wanted to stop whipping her hair. No matter what Daddy or Jay-Z had to say. And just wait until you find out how this kid who now grown up gave us one of hers and last years best in 'Lately I Feel Everything' with Willow Wisdom. Lately the biggest movie star has turned into a smartphone one across all platforms. Missing out on making a killing with 'The Suicide Squad' Summer sequel smash, but instead hitting new balls towards the Academy like Wimbledon, or the US Open. Advantage, the one that used to get jiggy with it. He's also presented Netflix ('Amend: The Fight For America') and Disney + (whoever came up with the title for National Geographic's 'Welcome To Earth' deserves a raise) shows concerning life's history and nature. But through it all. Declaring bankruptcy and almost losing his family. The threat of divorce and death. Losing loved one's and blending his family, Will has always remained Will. And 'Will' will show you why. Including the closing chapters that detail his physical and metaphysical recovery to both his love and life. This is why this book can end on a literal high. Standing on the side of a helicopter about to bungee jump into the Grand Canyon, carved from water that he was once afraid of (I also can't swim, although now I need Smith's will as he can), because someone on the Internet told him too (give me a part in the next 'Bad Boy' or 'Men In Black'...hey, you can't blame a guy for trying). The same heli jump that gave us the grace of that iconic image that had Smith looking like his dearly departed Uncle Phil. Because after a life like this, you can let go and live a little. Wise in its words, chapter and verse. Vulnerable and quotable (but you need to share that for yourself) this book is the perfect guide and tell all on a life truly lived. Just like his mother who in retirement travelled the globe with James Avery's mother. One day diabetes set in and she was stuck in hospital. A couple of weeks recovery would do the trick but Caroline Bright didn't want to stop. She told them to take her leg. She was back up in no time and then a few days later an earthquake levelled the hospital she was in as so many lost their lives. "All I lost was a leg", she said. On the set of Netflix's 'Bright', finding a light in downtown Los Angeles at night for a FaceTime, director David Ayer told Will he had to call his dying Daddio...right now. The two just looked at each other on the video call for about 20 minutes in stunning silence. Nothing more needed to be said. Love was all they needed. Let that be the last word. But in epilogue, this Golden Globe winner for 'Best Actor' may just serve up doubles at the Oscar's for his biopic on the father of Venus and Serena Williams, 'King Richard' (he came close with 'Concussion'). But before we read that envelope, it's signed, sealed and delivered that when it came to his crowning year in the last one of his greatest hits, Smith also has the best book of the calendar. When there's a 'Will', there's a great read. TIM DAVID HARVEY.