I Do and I Don't

I Do and I Don't: A History of Marriage in the Movies (2012) by Jeanine Basinger. This is a thoroughly researched and lavishly illustrated book about marriage as it has been portrayed in American movies. Basinger divides movie history up into chronological eras: The Silent Era, The Studio System, and the Modern Era. Then she slogs through each time period, describing marriage movies that were made during that period and analyzing their artistic and societal relevance. This was a mostly enjoyable book to read, although at times it seemed like it was just one film after another being methodically examined by Basinger, in a workmanlike fashion. Her knowledge of film is encyclopedic, and for this she deserves credit. I just wish her writing showed a little more inspiration. Grade: B