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Re: The most noteworthy film critic in film criticism?

Posted by Gee LP (A) on July 17, 2005 at 00:51:50

In Reply to: Re: Name some of these "film historians and critics" that like this mainstream mediocrity. posted by RGA on July 16, 2005 at 11:09:30:

Well, Roger Ebert may be the most noteworthy film critic of the group of critics cited in your link (although I think Janet Maslin could also claim that title). But even though I enjoy reading him, I don't think he would consider himself the most noteworthy film critic in the history of film criticism. Here are some others who have written film criticism...perhaps you have read some of the following:

Andre Bazin
Graham Greene
Kenneth Turan
Bela Belazs
Pauline Kael
James Agee
Andrew Sarris
Francois Truffaut
Jean-Luc Godard
Siegfried Kracauer
Molly Haskell

Now, I would be hard-pressed to identify any of the above as the most noteworthy film critic in the history of film criticism, (although I love Kael and think Bazin had a little influence in his "underground" circle, LOL)(and I have included a couple because, well, it's my list and I think you should know these names!). And don't forget the hugely influential American newspaper critics before Ebert's time, such as Bosley Crowther and Walter Kerr. How influential? Has a film distributer ever refused to open a film in the United States to avoid Ebert's thumbs down? Happened in New York with Crowther more than once, right up through the 60s. There is historian/critic Jay Leyda, and my gosh, so many more!

It is one thing to call someone "the most popular" or "the best known film critic in North America", titles one could give Ebert. Quite another to call someone "the most noteworthy film critic in the history of film criticism." I don't think Ebert would take that title himself, based on his writings about film critics whom he admires. And, no, I don't think he's a sell-out at all: for example, look at his championing of Peckinpah in the mid-Seventies. It's obvious he enjoys what he does and well conveys his passion about film both in his writing and TV show. And I don't think he's "hated because he's made something of himself"; although the joy of sticking the shiv in exists in film criticism, as it exists everywhere(look at Norman Mailer's and Renata Adler's essays on Kael).

Just how familiar are you with some of the film critics I have listed and their work? They may not appear in rottentomatoes, but they have their small followings and influence :^). Very few of these writers have PhDs after their names. And if you don't know most of these authors and their works, I would be very, very careful before pronouncing anyone "the most noteworthy film critic in the history of film criticism." For example, since I am not familiar with a lot of film criticism outside English and French speaking countries, I would be hesitant making such a distinction. After all, I haven't read them all...yet!

Don't get so puffed up defending Ebert! He's doing just fine!

Take care and have fun! And read more film criticism!

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