| Critique of Critics |
4 August 2003
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Everyone Hates Gigli
Disclaimer time: this is not a review of the film "Gigli," and the film "Gigli" has nothing to do with Italian tenor Beniamino Gigli. Instead, this is a review of the feeding frenzy that critics are having with what is a said to be a dreadful film (not having seen it, one hesitates to offer an opinion as to its merits or lack of same) that involves some of the most famous celebrities of the day. As the great Charles Chaplin noted, the people love to see the powerful brought low, and film critics are people -- sort of.
David Elliot was kinder than many, he merely said that Jennifer Lopez (J. Lo), Ben Affleck (Ben Af.) made an L. Mo. (Lousy Movie). Dav El., though, resisted the desire to be truly bitchy, which could not be said of Paul Clinton, the CNN reviewer. His words need no commentary: "a huge waste of celluloid", "ill-conceived mess", "If miscasting was a crime, this movie would be proof of a felony." Jeffrey Lyons called it, "Career-threatening." And another, who asked not to have his words used until his column comes out, wins with "Thank God, Bob Hope didn't live to see this."
According to the critics, supporting actors Al Pacino and Christopher Walken are fine performers, who perhaps had an off-film, or are pleased not to appear for longer than they do, depending on the reviewer. Stronger words are saved for Ms. Lopez and Mr. Affleck both as performers and as a couple. As a thespian, Ms. Lopez has a thin body of light works, and she made her name (such as it is) in music anyway. Mr. Affleck, who won an Oscar with Matt Damon for "Good Will Hunting," is romantically attached to Ms. Lopez and may have his cinematic judgment distorted as a result. The critics are most happy to point out that if their romance off-screen has the same chemistry as on-screen, they will attend next year's Oscars separately.
Most hated of all, though, is Martin Breast, who wrote, directed and produced "Gigli." The hostility to him appears to stem from the fact that he has given Hollywood some excellent work, e.g."Going In Style" with George Burns and Art Carney, "Beverly Hills Cop" with Eddie Murphy, and "Scent of a Woman" with Mr. Pacino. That a such a man could create something that evidently disappoints so much brings out the worst in people. Even great men and women occasionally do bad work; Dr. Einstein said his cosmological constant was the worst mistake of his career.
What is delightful in all of this is the prospect of the film making more money than it should simply because the press has been so bad. Then again, people slow down to look at car accidents.