Resposibility Of A Critic

Let me tell you a story. Nearly two weeks ago I wrote a review for a movie. I won't reveal the title for reasons apparent as this entry continues. I disliked the film. But I sent a facebook "friend request" to both the star of the film and the director. Why? I have no idea. In hindsight, it was a very big mistake to do so. The actress in question (again I won't reveal names) accepted my friend request. I can assume she snooped around my profile, found a link to this blog, read the review and wrote me a facebook message. Here is what she wrote:
"Dear Alex,
Surprised to find you added me as a friend. As I understand, you hated my work in the last two films I did with [director]. Sorry to hear that. You will probably most likely not like my work in our next film,[title of film], either, or any work i do after that for that matter. Glad that didn't affect your opinion of [director]. He is truly a genius. "

I was surprised that this actress would take the time out of her day to not only read my blog but actually write to me and express an extremely annoyed viewpoint with me. But, I figured I'd just chalk it up as just one of those things and let the incident slide. But it did get me thinking about what is the role of a film critic. What exactly is my responsibility to my readers and to the talent involved in a particular film?

I stopped thinking about it and went on with this thing called "life". But today another incident happen. The filmmaker of the film in question wrote to me about my "friend request" to him. Here is what he had to say:
"After your unpleasant attack on the brilliant [actress] two days before her birthday, I see no reason to have any contact with you."

Boy it seems like this director, whom I normally have great admiration for, and this actress can't seem to get over my comments. I can only guess apparently she told him what I wrote or sent him a link to my review. Or something. Bottom-line, he found out about what I wrote. And again I was plagued with the question, what is the responsibility of a film critic? Should I only say nice things about everyone and every film? Should I only review movies which I like? I can do the latter. This is after all my blog and I'm free to review whatever movie I like. But why? Why should I or anyone else be restricted to only say nice things about movies? What happens when you do not like something? Will the director come to your home and beat you up?

Once the incident first happened I felt very bad about everything. I thought maybe I should never write another negative thing again. But then I realize how I interpret the role of the critic. The critic can't only say nice things. That is not my job. My job is to evaluate art. To be objective and honestly state my opinion and explain why I did or didn't like something. As long as I am honest, I feel I did nothing wrong. And if someone does not like that, well, sorry to say, but that is too bad. Don't take the review so personal. I don't personally know Hollywood filmmakers and actors. As a result I don't pull back. I have no personal relationship with these people. And after this incident I think it is best if a film critic does not have a relationship with a director. One or the other will mistake it for friendship. And that might influence the critic's reaction to a film. The critic might feel compelled to only say nice things about a particular director's films.

As for the movie itself, well, I checked on-line to read what other critics had to say. It appeared to be a general consensus that the film was not up to the director's best work. Did that justify what I wrote? Yes and no. My reviews are mine alone. I don't turn to other critics to check if I'm in agreement with them. It doesn't matter to me one way or the other. All that matters to me is that I'm honest with readers and I'm able to express myself clearly. If I can do that, I'm happy and pleased with my review. But, with so many other critics agreeing with me, it at the very least suggest, others agreed with me and I wasn't going out of my way to knock the film. If the director and the star had a problem with what I wrote, how exactly did they react when the reviews from the professional critics came in? Did they have a temper tantrum like children? That seems extremely unprofessional to me on their part.

But will this incident have an affect on me and the way I judge this director's work? Not at all. Just because he and the actress aren't professional is no reason I have to follow their example. I'll happily look forward to seeing this director's next film. If I like it, I'll review it and say so. If I don't like it, I'll review it and explain why. But their reaction to my review will not determine how I react. It does prove one thing however, apparently my reviews have quite a sting to them. I like that. Clearly people react to what I write. That makes me happy. That means my writing is good, at least to me. Though I do wonder, why did my words bother these two so much? Who am I? Who reads this blog? I'm no one important. I don't write for a newspaper, I don't have my own television show. This blog isn't sponsored by anyone. No other celebrities have written to me. The only other person who wrote to me was Elizabeth Weitzman, film critic for the New York Daily News. But she didn't appear to be annoyed with me. Do the director and actress think I have any sway? They must think something if they wrote to me. They felt compelled to let me know they were displeased. That says a lot to me. I got under their skin.

Though I'm serious when I say this will not influence me in my decisions. What does it mean that I took the time to write a blog entry? Well, I did so, so readers know what happened. Also because I have a bit of a mean streak in me and wanted to make it public. But, I stopped myself and did the professional thing. I didn't reveal their names. Plus I just want my readers to know, when I review a movie realize the opinion expressed is mine and mine alone. I don't seek justification from others. I don't care what the mainstream thinks. I don't care if I upset someone because I liked or didn't like a movie which they like. That is not my job as a critic. I can't please everyone and quite honestly I don't want to. The only person I want to please is me. I must be honest with myself first and foremost. I won't back down and avoid a confrontation. Though I prefer not to have one. I prefer a civil debate. A serious discussion of cinema as an art form.

Hopefully this incident will now blow over and I won't have to endure any more e-mails from these people. They should worry about their next film and improving upon what they did wrong in their last film. Don't worry about some crazy Hungarian kid with a blog.