For the first time in my short career as a film critic, I have received a public personal attack. The letter, written by Paul J Marasa of Galesburg, IL, actually comes in response to a letter of mine that Roger Ebert posted, not my actual review of GNGL, but it feels like progress to me, nonetheless.
Make what you will of the exchange, but his response disturbed me, presumably as much as my original letter disturbed him. Looking at his blog, I can see that he writes about film, just as I do, and is more than twicemy age. Nonetheless, he had no trouble making assumptions and then using them to launch a personal attack against me.
Coming from someone with an obvious interest in film and film criticism, it is odd for me to imagine a man, sitting at his computer, mouth agape in horror as he reads a ridiculous letter from a disgusting person that dares hold different political opinions and convictions than himself. I'd think a film critic would have better judgment than to automatically assume that someone who dislikes a film that he does like is a bad person.
As for his letter itself, I have a few qualms, which I will quickly go over.
"Your answer is fine; what troubles me is how objective you were."
- What nerve Ebert has, to write a thoughtful response to my actual question instead of launching into a diatribe about what an awful person I am. Sarcarm aside, this line certainly sets the tone for the rest of his letter.
" The writer, James Frazer, described himself as a "somewhat politically conservative man" who "hated the film because [he] thought it was smugly left-wing and pompous in the extreme." "Good Night, and Good Luck" was "left-wing" to an "extreme"?"
-First off, yes, it was. Second, he most conveniently ignored two key adjectives, "smugly" and "pompous". I can enjoy a left-wing film; see my review of The Constant Gardener, if you have doubt. But I can't enjoy left-wing films that flaunt an arrogant certainty that anyone who disagrees with their leftist agenda is at best, a complete moron, at worst, evil.
"Is there anybody left in America who remembers when one didn't have to be a "liberal" to think Joe McCarthy was a venal thug?"
- Seeing as Marasa is almost my father's age, I have little to say as far as how opinions of Joe McCarthy have developed over time. However, I am old enough to question Marasa's reckless disregard for difference in opinion and perception. How many times does an intelligent person engage in debates over what happened, and how, and what effect it had? Few days go by where I may not spar with someone over the Clinton admistration, or the Kennedy assassination, or whether or not the Axis could have won World War 2, or what have you. If someone was to say that McCarthy is not the demonic figure people like Clooney make him out to be, is that statement instantly worthy of a brief moment of ridicule before being discarded? I sure as hell hope not.
To boot, I never actually spoke out in defense of McCarthy. I think he was a thug, like many, but I scoff at the level of sheer malice he has been elevated to be the American left over time. I must note that I can not blame Marasa for assuming I would defend McCarthy, as Ebert's editing of my original letter insinuate that I would, but the assumption is incorrect.
"Are we so polarized, and so convinced that our values are under siege, that we duck-and-cover with aggressive either-or, for-against absolutes?"
- This is exactly what I accuse the film of. Please consider this statement as you read Marasa's next line.
"If recognizing that the McCarthy era was a national embarrassment makes one "left-wing," then "left-wing" must mean "objective."
- What a great thing it must be to hold a monopoly on all accuracy and truth. How can I do that? Do I have to be a liberal first, or can I go to a government office and file an official request for the right to be permanently correct? Is there a fee, and if so, is it an expensive one? I sure hope that Gun Rights or Health Care or Wedding Crashers hasn't been taken.
I already addressed the pitfalls of writing off the opinions of others without cause, so I'll simply move to the end.
"Elvis Costello was once able to sing, "I used to be disgusted, and now I try to be amused." I wish I could manage the latter. "
Ah, the money shot, the part where Marasa really lets us know how ashamed he is to share the same planet as someone such as myself. For some odd reason, he reminds me very clearly of those courageous students who booed John McCain out of the New School commencement, as well as reminding me of the lower points of Clooney's left-wing parable. When you are blessed with the knowledge that you and the people who agree with you are the only ones who possess righteousness, you also receive a free pass to insult those who aren't the genius you are, because, hey, you're the righteous one, so anything you do is correct, ethically, functionally, and morally.
