As someone who has written my fair share of reviews (and definitely plenty of reviews where I am not a fan of the film or TV show), I can safely say that most critics don’t take pleasure in trashing a film. As fans, critics almost always sit down to watch a film with the hopes that whatever it is, it’s great. Because who wants to waste two-plus hours with something horrible? Well, in the case of Ansel Elgort and his most recent film, “The Goldfinch,” critics, by and large, found a lot of issues with the film. And the star feels that those writers have unfairly targeted his latest project.
Speaking to his fans on an Instagram story (preserved for eternity on Twitter), Elgort commented on the loads of bad reviews out there for “The Goldfinch,” imploring fans of his to give the film a shot, despite the critical reception. Why does he feel that fans should go see the film if currently holds a 26% on Rotten Tomatoes (based on over 150 reviews)? Well, he thinks that critics decided to point out the bad stuff and tell people it was bad. You know, basically, they did what critics are supposed to do.
“Critics usually are really great writers and they have to kind of choose a side,” the actor said. “They decided that pointing out everything wrong with the film is the best way to write their reviews, their articles. They are all great articles, too. All the bad reviews are well written but there is a lot of good in the film, too.”
He added, “The film does work. People who see it, enjoy it and are moved by it. The most important person it moved for me was my mother, and she’s not moved by all my films. She really liked this one, which made me really like it, too. So it’s still in theaters, take your mom.”
Obviously, critics will find a lot wrong with what he seems to imply — that there was some sort of bias that led them to write only about “everything wrong with the film.” Wouldn’t criticism be boring (and with no actual merit) if the person failed to mention the bad along with the good? Part of the gig is taking a look at every part of the film and coming up with your opinion. But I digress.
What is important to note is that Elgort’s mom loved the film. As adorable as that is, it’s also a pretty good point, in a funny way. You see, what he illustrates is that everyone is allowed to have their own thoughts about a film. If Elgort’s mom says it’s great (she’s surely not biased at all, right?), then that’s perfectly fine. People are allowed to love films and TV series despite what Rotten Tomatoes or a specific reviewer says. Look at the passionate defenses of “Batman v. Superman” for proof of that.
And in the same way that Elgort’s mom is allowed to love “The Goldfinch,” our reviewer is allowed to say, “Elgort is insufferably miscast as the story’s protagonist, Theodore Decker; we’re told he’s a dashing, knowledgeable antique furniture salesman with a dark past and secrets a-plenty, but he looks like a kid in a high school play who borrowed his dad’s glasses and suit in a failed attempt to look like a grown-up.”
An opinion is an opinion. Take it for what it’s worth. “The Goldfinch” is in theaters now. Though you may want to see it sooner rather than later, as the box office totals seem to point to a short theatrical run.
ansel really just said fuck rotten tomatoes my momma liked my film ???? pic.twitter.com/rZjzBS7gAM
— belén (@ahoychalamet) September 21, 2019