-----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
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 15 Feb 2007 EST