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Hoffman vs. Critics

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In a chat with In Contention's Kris Tapley, Last Chance Harvey star Dustin Hoffman confesses to having "strong feelings" about film criticism. "There's no job description," he says. "You see someone's suddenly a new critic, and you say, 'Oh, I know that name.' Yeah, he was a food critic. So the newspaper moved him up from food critic to film critic, which is fine, because everybody is a critic.

"But there are other people who know film, who really understand it, maybe even on the level [that] Scorsese does." That's me! I'm that guy! I may not have quite the same open-door, Michael Powell-worshipping passion that Scorsese has, but I'm from the same fraternity, the same church, the same faith. If anything I probably care about movies too much, to the point of neurosis and basic denial of life habits.

"I name Scorsese because he's probably seen as much or more film than anyone I'm aware of, and is sensitive to film deterioration," Hofman goes on. "And the fact that these critics see so many films, I don't know...if it's a job it's already questionable. And I do think that films are meant to seen with audiences, and they don't do that. There has to be some self-consciousness, I think."

At the very least, Tapley writes, Hoffman feels that "the critical fraternity should be more steeped in the process than they are."

What...the making of movies? Hofman knows that can't happen without integrity issues coming up. And yet most of the people I know in the writing-about-movies racket are as steeped in the process of knowing movies and as much of the attendant political hoo-hah as they could possibly absorb without being p.a.'s or actors or producers.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 26, 2008 at 4:01 PM

comment #1

crsryan says ...

It's a tough balance, the integrity issue you mention, but the studios are making it harder than ever to get steeped in a genuine way. Example: In early 2007, I did a set visit for a small studio film and it was exactly what you'd hope for -- I was one of two guys there and they completely left me alone. I didn't even have to stick with the Unit pub. She literally took me into a lounge as soon as I got there and said to the crew "This guy is going to hang out with you tonight!" and that was it. They trusted me to hang back and watch, and talk to people when they weren't busy. It was an AMAZING learning experience, a total blast.

Cut to 2008 -- another set visit for same studio, even smaller film, only this time it was like going to Disneyland. There were at least 25 other people and we were completely on rails the whole time, getting moved through on a tour of various departments as well as "fun activities" like having goofy pictures taken. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Total waste of time, and again, this wasn't some superhero movie, just a tiny film. And although I don't do nearly as many set visits as some, I know that this is now way more the norm.

Posted by crsryan at December 26, 2008 4:50 PM

comment #2

Matthew Lucas says ...

I often see films with audiences. The press screenings around here usually include the general public as part of various special promotions and things like that. Which is often quite helpful. Seeing films with small groups of critics and journalists can be a drag, even if the film is great. You miss out on the communal experience that way.

Posted by Matthew Lucas at December 26, 2008 4:59 PM

comment #3

Devin Faraci says ...

Seeing a movie with an audience is overrated. Are you reviewing the film or the audience experience? I've seen cast & crew screenings that went over (obviously) like gangbusters and I've been to showings of movies that I thought were hysterical that went over like a lead balloon.

Like Matthew Lucas, I've seen plenty of press screenings that were filled with civilians - many of whom are rude and talk throughout the movie. Does Hoffman see many movies with real audiences these days? If so, he'd be happy that critics get a chance to see his films without chatter and the blue glow of text messaging.

Posted by Devin Faraci at December 26, 2008 5:31 PM

comment #4

Kristopher Tapley says ...

Devin: For what it's worth, yeah, he said he goes to see films in public whenever he can.

Posted by Kristopher Tapley at December 26, 2008 6:26 PM

comment #5

T. Holly says ...

I remind you that he lied to Jose Ferrer.

Posted by T. Holly at December 26, 2008 7:37 PM

comment #6

nemo says ...

Oh, that's just what Hoffman wants you to think. Maybe he didn't lie to Jose Ferrer. After all, Ferrer said "Not right now," not "No way, Jose."

Posted by nemo at December 26, 2008 9:03 PM

comment #7

T. Holly says ...

Are you making fun of my puncuation? He asked the A.D., "who's that scumbag of a lady?," but I think he was protesting too much. I don't want people like Hoffman banning people like Kael.

Posted by T. Holly at December 26, 2008 9:34 PM

comment #8

corey3rd says ...

Why see a film with an audience? For maybe 6 weeks out of a film's life, it exists with an audience. After that it becomes a watch it at home on DVD or HBO for eternity.

I just sat through The Spirit with an audience and it really made that film drag when there was zero energy in the crowd outside of Jackson's big time Nazi scene.

Posted by corey3rd at December 26, 2008 10:19 PM

comment #9

BurmaShave says ...

On the other hand it was a pleasure to just get back from THE WRESTLER and be present with 150 other people as we fell in love with this man. That's not something I could have gotten having seen it on DVD for the first time. Also last year it was absolutely essential to experience NO COUNTRY and THERE WILL BE BLOOD live so you could release those nervous titters.

Posted by BurmaShave at December 27, 2008 12:27 AM

comment #10

Tiny Tim says ...

Even more curious is how Kristopher managed to snag a TWO-HOUR interview with Hoffman.

That just doesn't happen in this day and age.

Is he related to the guy, or something?

Posted by Tiny Tim at December 27, 2008 6:47 AM

comment #11

Glenn Kenny says ...

I moderated a Q&A with Hoffman and Lily Tomlin for a nominating screening of the universally-beloved "I Heart Huckabees" a few years back. He started at some point discussing Renoir, and I responded in kind; after it was over and everyone was saying their thanks and goodbyes, he said (with that fully Hoffmanesque twinkle in his eye) something along the lines of "You know your stuff, kid." I think this was what finally convinced my then-girlfriend, who was standing with me at the time, that it was all right to marry me.

Posted by Glenn Kenny at December 27, 2008 7:54 AM

comment #12

Kristopher Tapley says ...

Tiny: Just a regular interview, turned into a two hour back-and-forth. The guy's just laid back is all.

Posted by Kristopher Tapley at December 27, 2008 10:09 AM

comment #13

TVMCCA says ...

"There's no job description," he says. "You see someone's suddenly a new critic, and you say, 'Oh, I know that name.' Yeah, he was a food critic. So the newspaper moved him up from food critic to film critic, which is fine, because everybody is a critic.

Having read Betsy Sharkey's (she moved to film critic from being ex-LA TIMES Calendar editor) positive review of LAST CHANCE HARVEY, I'm guessing Dustin's okay with her.

Posted by TVMCCA at December 27, 2008 2:28 PM