Film Critics Should Be Required to Like Films

I think this is something that's come up before in the comments section of another posting, but there are a few film critics in New York that I'm fairly convinced don't actually like movies. The one I'm finding most infuriating these days is New York Times critic Manohla Dargis. (And actually, I think Manohla lives in L.A. but since she writes for the NY Times, I'll call her a New York critic.)

Manohla is a relatively new addition to the team of film critics at the Times, having replaced Elvis Mitchell. Elvis wrote reviews that were occasionally obtuse and often strange, but I sort of appreciated that about him. Manohla is more about being mean. If she doesn't like something, she tears it apart in the harshest tones possible without a great deal of real insight. At least when A.O. Scott gets bitchy, I feel there's an intelligent point being made underneath the bitchiness. And when Manohla likes something, it's very hard to tell. I thought her review of the recent "Fever Pitch" was a pan, until the movie ended up on her "recommended" list. So she liked it, but apparently didn't want to admit it.

Here are the first two sentences of her review of the new "Batman" movie:

'Near the big-bang finish of "Batman Begins," the title avenger, played by the charismatic young British actor Christian Bale, scoops up a damsel in distress, played by Katie Holmes, and spirits her away to his lair. Watching this scene, it was hard not to think how nice it would have been if Batman had instead dispatched the infernally perky actress, whose recent off-screen antics have threatened to eclipse this unexpectedly good movie.'

She ends with "good movie," and the review is mostly a rave, but why does she have to focus on how annoying Katie Holmes has been (and yes, I agree that the Tom/Katie crap has been irritating)? Why does the film have to be an "unexpectedly good movie"? Why not just a "good movie"? The director Christopher Nolan has made good movies before ("Memento," anyone?), so why were her expectations so low?

Manohla loves to hate movies. And she resents the movies she likes.

I want to hold you, Manohla. I want you to know that it's OK to surrender yourself over to visual storytelling. Your feelings are valid when you watch even the most mediocre romantic comedy. You're allowed to enjoy the thrill of spectacle. It's alright to be moved by a simple story that goes deep. And it's OK, too, not to like some movies. There's no reason to let these bad films get to you so much. The filmmakers haven't made the movie to piss you off personally. But film can be fun, Manohla. You must have known this at some point. Why else would you end up working in film? I implore you, Manohla. Please, re-open yourself to the film medium.