Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: The Long Goodbye

From: Terrill Lankford ( lankford2000@earthlink.net)
Date: 15 Feb 2007


-----Original Message-----
>From: Patrick King < abrasax93@yahoo.com>
>Sent: Feb 15, 2007 5:00 PM
>To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: The Long Goodbye
>
>Sure, and the public who spent their $12 to see a
>movie based on a book they loved, are free to hate it
>and say bad things about it.
>
>Patrick King

$12? Is that movie playing locally again? If you paid $12 in 1973 you got burned. (Maybe I'd be angry, too. That's about ten bucks more than the going rate at the time. And at least $2 more than I pay to see movies here in L.A. right now. Did you buy the DVD?)

Of course you are free to hate. This is America. Luckily for the rest of us, we are also free to criticize the critics.

You think you live on a one-way street, Patrick?

I don't think any of the fans of this film have tried to take your opinion from you or even change your mind on the subject. Who would care enough? We've simply stated our side of the debate. And tried to do it without too much vehemence. But you, Jim, and Brian have used harsh tones and demeaning language from the start. The very existence of the movie and the idea that anyone could possibly appreciate it seems like an insult to the three of you. Usually people who resort to slander in a debate are supporting a weak argument. There is no right or wrong when determining whether you enjoy or dislike something that your fellow man feels the opposite about. There is only opinion. And as they say, "Opinions are like asses. Everyone has got one."

Also, I'm not sure why you are dragging the public in to this. It is clear that on this board and on sites like the IMDb that the haters of this film are in the minority. It has grown in stature over the years to be regarded as something of a classic. If you want to say you hate the film, fine. But don't say you speak for the public. Let each person speak for themselves. Sorry for your frustration in this matter.

Well, the war I predicted weeks ago came to pass. It is amazing how polarizing this movie is. Could it be THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FILM IN THE P.I. GENRE?

Someone made a very good point a few days ago - it might have been offlist to me - that NIGHT MOVES deconstructs the PI genre in a similar fashion, but does not draw the heat that THE LONG GOODBYE generates because there is not a beloved book and author at the foundation. It's a testament to Chandler (and his writing) that some of his fans remain so rabid to this day.

TL



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