Writing daily film criticism is a balancing act between the bottom line and the higher reaches, between the answers to the questions, (1) Is this movie worth my money?, and (2) Does this movie expand or devalue my information about human nature? Critics who write so everybody can understand everything are actually engaging in a kind of ventriloquism - working as their own dummies. They are pretending to know less than they do. But critics who write for other critics are hardly more honest, since they are sending a message to millions that only hundreds will understand. It's a waste of postage.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Film critics must balance accessibility with depth, avoiding both oversimplification and exclusivity.
- In plain terms
- Critics should write for everyone, not just experts or beginners.
- What can you take from it?
- Write clearly without dumbing down content.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who is your audience when you write?
Another view
It assumes all critics face the same dilemmas.
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