Book Review: Josh Brolin's memoir From Under the Truck

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin's memoir From Under the Truck is very different from most books of Hollywood reminisces. The book does provide verbal snapshots of Brolin's on-set experiences and anecdotes of his brushes with famous figures ranging from Cormac McCarthy to Marlon Brando to Brolin's step-mother Barbara Streisand, but the book is not a chronological review of Brolin's life and career. Rather, it is a series of small essays, leaping back and forth through time, that function as a decoupage of Brolin's experiences. Brolin is bright enough to realize that individuals exist not as monolithic entities, but as a whole host of varying selves. Thus, Brolin presents himself as a son, husband, father, actor, surf-punk, alcoholic, nepo baby, Hollywood hellion, and much more.

The scattershot technique of the book does yield varying results, but I admire Brolin attempt at a poetic form of memoir. Some of the more lyrical moments succumb to mawkish mushiness, but, on the whole, this book is a clear-eyed coming to terms with the past. Most memorable are Brolin's memories of his early life with his mother. His mother was a live wire who was more than a little screwy. Her chaotic personality became part and parcel of Brolin's psyche, including his need to obliterate stress and trauma through alcohol and drugs.

Brolin overcame his struggles and is now able to view his mother's legacy with affection and not resentment. From Under the Truck is a portrait of a mature artisan whose life challenges have aided his growth. Though I suspect there is still enough of the surf punk in Brolin for him to bristle at that description.