Roger’s rules for critics
October 30th, 2008 at 04:08pm Will Pfeifer
Roger Ebert, Pulitzer Prize winner and BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS co-writer, has set out a great list of rules for movie critics to follow. As he says, it’s a profession in peril and probably in need of some guidance. And he’s just the guy to do it, too…
“We can’t be too careful. Employers are eager to replace us with Celeb Info-Nuggets that will pimp to the mouth-breathers, who underline the words with their index fingers whilst they watch television. Any editor who thinks drugged insta-stars and the tragic Amy Winehouse are headline news ought to be editing the graffiti on playground walls. As the senior newspaper guy still hanging onto a job, I think the task of outlining enduring ethical ground rules falls upon me.”
Among the rules: Provide a sense of the experience, keep track of what you’ve said before, don’t ask celebs to pose for pictures (this seems aimed square at young goofball Ben Lyons, who now sits in Roger’s seat on his former TV show), don’t sell the review copies of DVDs you get (where do you think the discs in the weekly GO Contest come from?) and most importantly, when you’re watching a movie, “sit down, shut up and pay attention!”
Actually, that last one goes for everyone in a movie theater. And that includes you.
Entry Filed under: Movie critics
3 Comments Add your own
1. Jerry | October 30th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Do you think he should now include a part about actually watching the entire film he or she is supposed to be reviewing? I do. And apparently he does too.
Look, I admire his wit and humor and talent for the written word. And the guy has every right to walk out of a bad film. Even one he’s being paid to see. I would too and have (BROWN BUNNY anyone?) But if I do something like that I don’t pretend to have all the answers about it. And I would certainly not review the snippet I did see and think that was justified or even professional. Even if what I did see was atrocious AND I acknowledge the fact much later.
His editor saw the red flag and should have put her foot down much stronger to save Roger from himself. If she’s really good at what she does that is her responsibility. Roger admits that himself. I think the reason he’s a bit defensive about it now (such as in the top of the article Will linked in his post) is because he knows he made a small mistake in judgment. People expected more from Roger and he tried to be cute and ended up hurting himself. I don’t doubt that TRU LOVED is horrible. But if he or anyone is going to do a legitimate review of anything I feel they should at least suffer through it completely to justify their statements.
That said, Roger now feels “the task of outlining enduring ethical ground rules falls upon me” and he’s smart enough to realize his recent misstep as a break of those ground rules. While this experience might have given him some real headaches this week, I appreciate it. I appreciate it because with his response I saw that someone I respect has earned it. Because he was smart enough to admit when he was wrong. And too few people can be strong enough to do that, especially on such a large stage.
2. Jerry | October 30th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
And by the way, Roger’s second review of TRU LOVED (after watching the entire film) is a much better read than the first attempt was.
3. John N | November 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I thing it highly noble for Roger to acknowledge his error and rectify it in print. He showed that no matter how old or experienced we are in our professions, we still learn something new about it.
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