Good God this was satisfying to read. Every Richard Brody review I have ever read serves one and only one purpose: to show off how well-read (well...-viewed?), interesting, and insightful Richard Brody is. He is completely uninterested in serving the reader as a film critic.
My favorite example is his review of Whiplash. The title is "Whiplash Gets Jazz All Wrong". Well, yes, Richard, that's the point. He says the movie's "idea of jazz is a grotesque and ludicrous caricature" because jazz is supposed to be collaborative, not combative. Yes, Richard, good job, *that is indeed the point.* He finds it unbelievable that Miles Teller's character would worship Buddy Rich, a mere "technical whiz" with no heart. YES, RICHARD, THAT VERY TELLING DETAIL POINTS TO AN IMPORTANT CHARACTER FLAW IN THE PROTAGONIST--WHICH IS THE WHOLE FUCKING POINT.
Not a useful review. You do, however, come away with the impression that Richard Brody knows a *lot* more about jazz than you.
Good God this was satisfying to read. Every Richard Brody review I have ever read serves one and only one purpose: to show off how well-read (well...-viewed?), interesting, and insightful Richard Brody is. He is completely uninterested in serving the reader as a film critic.
My favorite example is his review of Whiplash. The title is "Whiplash Gets Jazz All Wrong". Well, yes, Richard, that's the point. He says the movie's "idea of jazz is a grotesque and ludicrous caricature" because jazz is supposed to be collaborative, not combative. Yes, Richard, good job, *that is indeed the point.* He finds it unbelievable that Miles Teller's character would worship Buddy Rich, a mere "technical whiz" with no heart. YES, RICHARD, THAT VERY TELLING DETAIL POINTS TO AN IMPORTANT CHARACTER FLAW IN THE PROTAGONIST--WHICH IS THE WHOLE FUCKING POINT.
Not a useful review. You do, however, come away with the impression that Richard Brody knows a *lot* more about jazz than you.
He's unbearable to read. He's the critical equivalent of fucking Mr. Magoo.