In response to New York Times restaurant critic, Pete Wells’ review of Guy Fieri‘s new restaurant Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar, Margaret Sullivan has now written a piece taking a look at the culture of negative reviews and Times’ culture editor Jonathan Landman’s idea they shouldn’t happen often.
Wells’ negative review was spoofed in an online exclusive “Saturday Night Live” skit and quickly became viral. In response to the review, Fieri blamed the messenger saying, “It’s a great way to make a name for yourself — go after a celebrity chef who is not a New Yorker.”
I’ve never eaten at any of Fieri’s restaurants, but to read Wells’ description of Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar it sounds like a Red Robin crossed with a T.G.I. Friday’s. I’m not sure if that’s accurate, but when Sullivan turns to Times lead critic Manhola Dargis for her opinion on judging cinema her response seems accurate enough when describing most any product and/or service out there. “Most movies are middling,” she said. “They’re fine, but they’re not transporting you.”
Sullivan then adds the following:
When the subject is vulnerable, one solution may be to not review at all. But sometimes that’s not practical. The Times can pass on reviewing, for example, an independent filmmaker’s fledgling effort or an art exhibit in a small gallery, but it is committed to reviewing major concerts, films and theater productions, whatever their quality.
Is it ever really acceptable for criticism to be so over the top, considering that there are human beings behind every venture? I think it is. That kind of brutal honesty is sometimes necessary. If it is entertaining, all the better. The exuberant pan should be an arrow in the critic’s quiver, but reached for only rarely.
First, to Dargis’ point I agree wholeheartedly. Most movies are barely above average, if that. I hate grading movies because it means very little, but something around a “C+” is a common grade for me as most films really excel when you consider the library of cinema they are contributing to.
But what about this idea of not reviewing a movie because the subject may be vulnerable? I have a hard time figuring out why Sullivan would add it to her editorial if she is so quick to dismiss it, but I’m thankful she does dismiss it. I’ve never not reviewed a movie because I felt a need to be sensitive, but there is a larger issue, What is the target of the critics’ negativity?
I do my very best to ensure I don’t attack the people involved in a film, but aim at the film itself, its problems and the work done in said film. Of course, sometimes I break my own rules and I suggest a director should be revoked of his/her director license such as I did in my review of Alex Cross.
To that point, there’s a fine line between attacking someone and attacking their work. Some may believe the two aren’t mutually exclusive, but in the instance of Alex Cross, perhaps I should have been a little more sensitive.
Sullivan’s suggestion, however, is the “exuberant pan” should only be used rarely, which is also an interesting idea. I wonder why she believes disdain for something should only be reserved for special occasions. Does that not single out the target even more? If the idea is to review something honestly how is one to judge when it’s appropriate and when it’s not to really let loose?
I don’t hand out “F” grades all that often as it is, and looking through my archives of “F” reviews it looks like 3-4 films get such distinction each year. But also looking through those reviews I notice one of my favorite negative reviews wasn’t even for a movie I was giving an “F”.
I gave New Year’s Eve a “D” and my Sucker Punch review that speak for themselves.
Getting back to the point, I reject the idea a critic should review a film negatively only rarely. Perhaps that’s a good rule for critics who only see black and white, live by the RottenTomatoes idea of “Rotten vs. Fresh” or rely solely on hyperbole in which a film is either a “Magnificent roller coaster ride” or “Reeks of a toilet gone two weeks unflushed”. But for those that manage nuance and honesty in their opinions there is no reason to hold back. If what comes out is a film review set to a pop song or one offered up in Seussian rhyme, whatever best gets across an opinion is what should be printed.
