Back in the 1970s, I read Pauline Kael’s movie reviews because they were unique. Here was a critic who really loved movies even if her tastes were a little quirky. Now the Library of America has brought out The Age of Movies, 800 pages of Pauline Kael’s reviews and articles, many of which I hadn’t read before. There’s a wonderful article in this book on Cary Grant, “The Man from Dream City.” The infamous (and wrong-headed) review of The Deer Hunter is included, too. If you’re a fan of movies and smart, sophisticated movie reviews, you’ll want a copy of The Age of Movies. Deb wrote she’s working on her holiday gift lists. I can think of a lot of friends and relatives who’d like to see a copy of Pauline Kael’s selected writings under their tree. GRADE: A
No one will ever be as interesting to read as she was. This goes on my list for sure.
Pauline Kael invented American movie criticism, Patti. Before Pauline, we had mere reviewers. Pauline Kael tried to make sense of cinema. And, I think she did it brilliantly.
Isn’t there a biography of Ms. Kael that was just released in the last month or two?
You’re right, Drongo. Brian Kellow’s PAULINE KAEL: A LIFE IN THE DARK was just published a week ago.
I read Frank Rich’s review of the two books and his thoughts on Kael in last Sunday’s NY Times. I also read several of her books (KISS KISS BANG BANG, I LOST IT AT THE MOVIES, GOING STEADY, DEEPER INTO MOVIES, plus the infamous CITIZEN KANE book)30 years ago so I was already interested in this one.
THE AGE OF MOVIES has reviews from all Kael’s books as well as some uncollected pieces from various magazines, Jeff. For Kael fans, this is a must-buy!
Yes, another one for the Christmas wish list. (And I just put Brian Kellow’s biography on-hold at the library, but there are many others before me.) When I was a wee slip of a girl in the 1970s, I had a subscription to the New Yorker (although I’d never been to New York) and loved her reviews, even if I didn’t always understand them. One thing that surprised me was, after she retired, Kael gave an interview where she claimed she very rarely saw any movie a second time.
People like Kael and Ebert who saw a dozen movies a week might find it hard to watch movies a second time, Deb. I’ll have more candidates for your holiday gift list in the next couple weeks.
I read the Citizen Kane book years ago. I’m not sure I agree with some of her conclusions, but it certainly was a good read.
Pauline Kael could be infuriating, Stan. And she could be drop-dead right on. Kael never strived for a consistent vision of cinema. She just reveled in the feelings she experienced in the moment.
Timed with the release of the bio, Ebert has a nice reminiscence of Kael over on his website.
Yes, I read that fine Ebert online essay, Art. It captures Kael perfectly.
Library of America is certainly broadening it’s scope.
The Library of America’s strategy of publishing books for the book-loving audience and not just academic editions is smart, Rick. Lovecraft, Philip K. Dick, and now Pauline Kael. Great reading!
Ebert’s piece, as referred to by Art.
Thanks for the link, Jeff. If anyone out there hasn’t read the Ebert essay, you’re missing a terrific remembrance of Pauline Kael.
Library of America’s editions of the works of Dashiell Hammett and Dawn Powell (a writer who I feel deserves to be better known) are excellent.
And the Library of America collections of Raymond Chandler, Deb! I’m a big fan of both Hammett and Dawn Powell so you won’t be surprised to know I own (and have read) those LOA volumes! Highly recommended!
I think the LoA is doing a very good job. I’ve read most of the Henry James short stories through their collections, and they’ve also collected his travel writing and literary criticism, among many other excellent works (Hammett & Chandler among them). I also read through their three volume collected edition of Eugene O’Neill’s plays.
I own about 90% of the Library of America volumes, Jeff. In my youth, I’d be a completest and buy all of them. But now, I only buy the volumes I intend to read. For example, I skipped the two volumes of American Sermons, Manny Farber, Gertrude Stein, and John Greenleaf Whittier.
If I had the money and the space I’d own a lot of them too.
I love the idea of the Library of America and I try to support their efforts by buying most of their books, Jeff. I love their format and their mostly reasonable prices.
I don’t know what she said about THE DEER HUNTER, but if she didn’t like it I’m in agreement. Now I’ll see what Ebert had to say about her. Thanks for the link.
Pauline Kael’s opinions on THE DEER HUNTER are complex and controversial, Bob. I thought it was a nutty movie when I first saw it.
I have a friend who is now getting this and the bio for Christmas. Maybe he will let me borrow them back.
Nice holiday presents, Scott! I’ve read good things about the Kael bio, too.
“Pauline Kael invented American movie criticism, Patti. Before Pauline, we had mere reviewers. Pauline Kael tried to make sense of cinema.”
George, you know better than this. Even if John Simon hadn’t been active as soon as she was, there was their mutual example of James Agee.
You’re right, Todd. But Agee never wrote like Pauline Kael.
Better! At least usually. He could veer off into irrelevance and special pleading as much as she could. Her bad model this way!
I love Pauline Kael’s quirkiness even if I don’t agree with many of her movie opinions, Todd. Kael was unique and I treasure her for originality.
Cool new doc on Pauline Kael’s life and work coming soon. Check out the trailer: https://vimeo.com/92481758 and be sure to follow on social media @WhatSheSaid_Doc
Kelsey, thanks for the link.