There's an invisible line in film criticism. To acknowledge it is to display weakness, in the eyes of many. Yet, to ignore it would be an exercise in sovereignty none of us possess. It is the line between feeling a certain way about a film and understanding the way others feel about it. Often times we are guilty of ignoring this line. We view the world of criticism through a mask of our own opinions, rejecting the notion that these opinions may in any way be flawed. Protection in numbers is our defense and shield from the differing viewpoints of others. Because of them, we annex each other from the whole.
Is it any wonder that just about every forum for every film or TV show on IMDB has at a bare minimum one forum post with the subject line "am I the only one... ?" Of course not. I doubt they truly believe themselves to be the only one on anything. That's the world we've created, however. A world where to like or not like something means you must do more than explain yourself, it means you must be placed under constant quizzing and scrutiny - if your opinion defers from the prevailing social collective. Where bold and brash statements claiming strong disagreement with said collective must be planted firmly in every post, lest they be deemed unforgivable.
This year I watched the film Exit Through the Gift Shop. When the credits rolled I found myself woefully underwhelmed, borderline tears of disinterest. I sought to write a review for the movie, alas nothing of any publishing worthy quality came out. A few idle chats on twitter about the film became the extent to which I bothered discussing it, but those quickly dried up. So I let it sit. I distanced myself from the film, and didn't bother to add another second of reflection on it. In my eyes, it was as forgettable as most modern Nic Cage films, or any pop album released in the last five years.
Soon twitter was overrun with discussions on how amazing a film it was. Each list was met with rousing 'hoorahs' of glory as Bansky and Thierry Guetta became representatives of a new wave of cinematic appreciation. Alienation began to set in. "Did I miss the point? Am I wrong? Should I watch it again? Why do they all love it so much?" I leaped to the internet and sought out reviews on the film. I digested them quicker than Takeru Kobayashi devours hot dogs. And when I was through I did the only thing I could do - I watched the film again.
Yet, nothing changed. Hatred and frustration began to set in. Sure there were reviews out there that agreed with me, but why did so many disagree!? I was ready to place the film on my top 10 worst films of the year. My declaration would be staunch, irrefutable, but of course dignified. Through my words I would rouse those discontent with the movie. Those who sought to present only adulation before the knees of its creators would be cast aside! But I couldn't do it...
To do so, to even assume so, would be the deconstruction of everything I firmly believe about film. I don't hate Exit Through the Gift Shop. Honestly, I think it's a far cry from the worst movies I've seen this year. Like many have before me, and many shall after me, I simply found a film in which I struggle to understand what others see that makes them praise it so highly. The last thing I want to be apart of is a pseudo-cool collective who believes themselves superior because they dislike a movie many readily enjoy. That's not me... and it's not someone I ever want to become.
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