Skip to content
quotesby

I still don't look at movies twice. It's funny, I just feel I got it the first time. With music it's different. People respond so differently to the whole issue of seeing a movie many times. I'm astonished when I talk to really good critics, who know their stuff and will see a film eight or ten or twelve times. I don't see how they can do it without hating the movie. I would.

Pauline Kael#54

FilmArtAppreciationHabitRepetition

About this quote

What does it mean?
Watching a movie once is sufficient for understanding, while repeated viewings suggest a lack of genuine connection.
In plain terms
If you like a movie, you don't need to see it again.
What can you take from it?
Repetition may indicate a failure of appreciation.

Where it applies

  • film watching
  • critique habits
  • personal taste

Putting it to work

  • trust first impression
  • evaluate impact
  • reflect on views

Questions to consider

  • Why do we rewatch?
  • Is one view enough?

Another view

Repeated viewing can reveal new layers in complex films.

More from Pauline Kael

  1. It's sometimes discouraging to see all of a director's movies, because there's so much repetition. The auteurists took this to be a sign of a director's artist…

    Permalink to quote #53
  2. For some strange reason we don't go to charming, light movies anymore. People expect a movie to be heavy and turgid, like 'American Beauty.' We've become a hea…

    Permalink to quote #55
  3. Moviemaking is so male-dominated now that they think they're being pro-feminine when they have women punching each other out.

    Permalink to quote #52

Related quotes

  1. I made the mistake of watching 'A.I.' on cable the week they showed it about 792 times, and I ended up watching it every time it was on.

    Joe Bob BriggsJoe Bob Briggs quote #2
  2. It's sometimes discouraging to see all of a director's movies, because there's so much repetition. The auteurists took this to be a sign of a director's artist…

    Pauline KaelPauline Kael quote #53
  3. Films like Fargo are why I love the movies.

    Roger EbertRoger Ebert quote #83