Tom Hanks Reacts To Negative Criticism Of His Debut Novel (2024)

Tom Hanks released his debut novel, "The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece," which takes a deep dive into moviemaking and spans several decades of American culture. However, the book received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its insights into moviemaking and others criticizing its writing as "clunky."

Despite the criticism, Hanks remains "unapologetic" and confident in the book's ability to entertain and enlighten its audience as he draws from his personal experience of filmmaking to offer readers a glimpse into the fascinating world of moviemaking.

Keep on reading to learn more.

Tom Hanks Says Critics Are Not Being 'Fair'

Tom Hanks has responded to negative feedback and critical reviews aimed at his debut novel, "The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece," released on May 9, 2023. In a recent interview withBBC, Hanks expressed his disappointment in the critics' reaction, stating that it is "unfair."

The "Castaway" actor emphasized that the book will "live and die based on its ability to entertain and enlighten an audience." Hanks clarified that he was "unapologetic" about his work and is unfazed by any criticism, as his "day job as a movie star" has taught him to handle it better. "[I've become] stronger when it comes down to really being torn apart," he explained, per the Daily Mail.

'The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece'

According to the synopsis, "The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece" is an epic story that explores the creation of a "colossal, star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film" inspired by a humble comic book.

However, as reported byDaily Mail,several critics found the book could have been more impressive.The Sunday Times'David Sexton criticized the novel, describing it as "Hanks mansplains moviemaking" and the writing is "clunky." Meanwhile, Tim Adams ofThe Observersaid that the book accurately captured the "humdrum of Hollywood" but lacked Hanks' on-screen charisma in breathing life into the characters.

Alexandra Jacobs ofThe New York Timesalso expressed her disappointment in the novel, stating, "Whimsically, chronicling the creation of a Marvel-style movie, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece sags under a deluge of detail."

'The Source Of A Movie Can Go Back Many Years

Hanks has starred in several blockbuster movies such as "Saving Private Ryan," "Sleepless In Seattle," and "Elvis," and is set to release his next film, "Asteroid City."

The Academy Award-winning actor is also a talented writer. His debut novel not only offers readers a thrilling account of the making of a superhero film but also features comic books penned by the Hollywood icon and several life lessons based on his personal experiences.

"Every character in the book does something I've experienced while making a movie, as well as discovered a philosophy or learned an important lesson. Even the foolish moments are some stunt I've pulled or a mistake I've survived," Hanks shared, per Daily Mail.

According to the Hollywood veteran, "the source for a movie can go back as many years as are in history. A story turns on a single moment in the life of someone, then all the anecdotes of the current day magnify that moment."

Tom Hanks Says The Filmmaking Process Is A 'Miracle'

Hank's debut novel spans several decades of moviemaking and explores how American culture has evolved from World War II to the present day. In addition to its sweeping storyline, "The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece" also features a "tough" male actor, a "wonderful" leading lady, and an eccentric director, all playing a crucial role in bringing the superhero film to life.

Another section of the book focuses on 1947 and a soldier dad who inspired his five-year-old son. In the 1970s, the same kid wrote a comic book, which became the basis for the superhero movie in the present day.

According to Hanks, the "human yearning for storytelling" is timeless, and the actor believes that no one truly understands how a movie is made, despite everyone thinking they do. He draws from his personal experience of filmmaking, stating, "I've made a ton of movies (and four of them are pretty good, I think), and I'm still amazed at how films come together. From a flicker of an idea to the flickering image on the screen, the whole process is a miracle."