Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time

True Stories from a Career in Hollywood

De: Barry Sonnenfeld

Narrado por: Barry Sonnenfeld

One-of-a-kind filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld tells stories only he can tell, from his blockbuster career with iconic actors, studio execs, and producers. His humor and insight provide an inside glimpse into how Hollywood really works, or how it doesn’t.

Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time delivers a cavalcade of sometimes baffling, often enlightening, and always funny stories about Sonnenfeld’s many films and television shows. From battling with studio executives and producers to bad-script-solving on set to coaxing actors into finding the right light and talking faster, Sonnenfeld provides an entertaining master class in how to make commercial art in the face of constant human foible. Over four decades in Hollywood, the mega-franchises include The Addams Family and Men in Black; the critical favorites, Get Shorty and Pushing Daisies; the icons, Will Smith, John Travolta, and Michael Jackson; and the projects that got away, Forrest Gump, Ali, and anything starring Jim Carrey.

The true stories escalate from surreal to outrageous to unbelievable. And then there’s magic hour. But you’ll never see Hollywood the same way again.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Barry Sonnenfeld (P)2024 Hachette Books

I enjoyed it!

Overall interesting. His writing is funny, and while he's
clearly reading (rather than acting) his words, it totally works as his style.

Insightful book, but nothing extraordinary

Insightful moments from Barry’s experiences in Hollywood, but I found his voice draw and hard to listen to at times, especially during moments of great comedy or fast-paced situations where his inflection didn’t fit the writing. Might have been better to have read this. But there were some fun moments of insider baseball from Hollywood.

Fun and Funny listen!

Enjoyed, What dry humor!! So liked the movie stories. Always intresting to hear behind the scenes.
Oh Barry!!! 😁

Soooo funny

I purchased the book bc I’ll listen to anything about filmmaking or Hollywood. Despite the fact that Baaaaaarrryyyyy directed or shot some of my favorite films, I didn’t put his name with his work. Never again. He’s sooo funny and original and his impeccable timing and NY accent made listening so enjoyable. I didn’t even speed up the pace as I usually do because he took the advice he gave to so many actors— “talk faster.” Loved this book so much I’m buying his first one too. Much love to a wonderful film fam, Barry, Sweetie & Chloe… 🎞️❤️

Are you in need of a good laugh from a GREAT story

If you like audiobooks and have the @audible app, May I recommend to you the book "Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time" by Barry Sonnenfeld ? If you are a fan of the behind the scenes stories about what goes on while making a movie...this is the best book for you ! It has everything in it : Stars, Laughs, Discussion of probably some of your FAVORITE films ! . CheckItOut

Gene Hackmam Seems Fun

This is how memoirs should be. Shit talking, point of view, comedy, and a funny reader/author.

Funny and revealing!

Sonnenfeld delivers a brilliant companion to his memoir. Nice short chapters. Funny and entertaining insider look at being a big time filmmaker. Highly recommended.

Truth Be Told by Film Insider

I found the book totally entertaining. Storytelling with dialogue. Smart choice. One of the better Film Director memoirs. I listened to Ed Zwick's memoir right after finishing this and it suffers by comparison.

Amazing - insightful and funny

Great storyteller and doesn’t pull punches but says everything with a twinkle in his eye/tone. Came for Get Shorty anecdotes but stayed for them all!

A Funny Hollywood Director Dishes The Read Stories

This is a fun, funny and interesting listen about a Hollywood movie and TV director who can keep you laughing, and at times scratching your head, on and off the screen. You may not know much about Barry Sonnenfeld but you know many of his movies including The Addams Family, Men In Black and Get Shorty. It turns out much of the time he can be even funnier and more interesting than the movies and TV shows he made, and those he almost directed. Sonnenfeld has that East Coast ironic, sardonic, can’t believe this is happening type of attitude that makes everything he does, every decision, every meeting with a lump headed studio head or executive “suit” fun for anyone who cares as much about how movies get made as watching them. His life, his wife, his travels through the movie biz are often funny and always worth either a head scratch or a giggle. You come away he made more movies, and was allowed the freedom to make them the way he wanted, instead of being tagged, tortured, traumatized and troubled by people with more money than taste or brains where it comes to movies and TV shows. If you want to know how movies really get made and unmade, and care as much about mixing the soup as slurping it, this is a great read for you. If you want to be a filmmaker, or always wanted to be one, this is a must read. WARNING: After hearing his tale you may with you really wanted. To be a shoe salesman. I loved this book and wish I could have a meal with “Bar” as many called him just to hear these stories pour out of him.