The Student Room Group

Is it just me or is Pauline Kael overrated?

Recently, I've been reading some reviews of Pauline Kael, a critic touted as American's finest critic. However, I simply cannot agree with that judgment. Firstly, her colloquilisms while amusing and often apt, can simply put me off reading. Secondly and more important her judgments on some classic films seem rather wrong. For instance with A Clockwork Orange, I felt her observations of its message completely missed the point. Nevertheless, her refusal to abide to hype must be praised and no-one would argue that she was an honest critic. Most people will probably disagree with my negative judgment but I would like to hear other people's views.

Reply 1

He's not overrated, I haven't hard of him :p: