How to Write Movie Reviews with A.O. Scott

Summary

A.O. Scott, the chief film critic at The New York Times, shares his insights on what makes a good movie review. He emphasizes that reviews should go beyond personal opinions and instead focus on explaining why a movie works or doesn’t, offering readers valuable insights. Scott advises critics to avoid excessive plot summaries and to focus on conveying the essence of the film—its visuals, sounds, and emotional impact. He stresses the importance of careful, thoughtful language to persuade readers, explaining both positive and negative opinions with clarity and passion. Ultimately, a good review should help viewers decide whether a movie is worth their time and money.

Takeaways

• 😀 A review is not just an opinion—it's a critical analysis that explains why you feel the way you do about a movie.
• 😀 A good review helps readers understand what a movie is like, not just whether it's good or bad.
• 😀 Avoid too much plot summary in a review. Focus on the aspects that describe the movie’s experience instead.
• 😀 Description is different from summary—describing includes elements like visuals, sound, and atmosphere.
• 😀 A review should help readers form a mental picture of the movie by discussing its look, sound, and feel.
• 😀 A strong review requires not only stating your opinion but also explaining why you hold that opinion.
• 😀 The key to writing a good review is to convey your enthusiasm or critique with clarity and precision.
• 😀 Writers should use their language thoughtfully to make their opinions persuasive, regardless of whether the review is positive or negative.
• 😀 The process of reviewing often involves taking time to reflect and cool down after watching a film.
• 😀 Movies are powerful because they manipulate emotions using music, visuals, and story. A review should consider this emotional impact.
• 😀 The ultimate goal of a review is to guide readers in deciding whether a movie is worth their time and money, based on their own preferences.

Q & A

What is the key difference between a review and an opinion according to Ao Scott?

Ao Scott emphasizes that a review is not just an opinion about whether something is good or bad. A review involves providing critical analysis, explaining why one feels the way they do, and offering insights that can help others understand the movie better. It’s about more than just expressing likes or dislikes.

What does Ao Scott suggest about the importance of plot summary in a movie review?

Ao Scott advises against excessive plot summary in reviews. While it’s important to mention key plot points, the focus should be on describing the movie’s essence and its emotional impact, rather than simply summarizing events.

How does Ao Scott differentiate between 'describing' and 'summarizing' a movie?

Ao Scott explains that describing a movie is about conveying the sensory experience—how it looks, sounds, and feels—while summarizing focuses on recounting the plot. Describing helps form a mental picture for the reader, which is more helpful than just listing events.

What is the role of the critic in helping the reader, according to Ao Scott?

Ao Scott believes the critic’s job is to help the reader decide whether a movie is worth their time and money by offering a detailed explanation of what works and what doesn’t, based on their own tastes and interests.

How does Ao Scott suggest conveying enthusiasm in a positive review?

In a positive review, Ao Scott recommends infusing the language with passion and energy without resorting to excessive adjectives. The goal is to be persuasive, showing why the critic enjoys the movie and making that enthusiasm contagious.

What does Ao Scott say about the language used in negative reviews?

Ao Scott suggests that negative reviews can use a more mocking or clever tone. The language should reflect the critic's dissatisfaction in a way that still communicates their reasoning clearly, using wit or sarcasm when appropriate.

Why does Ao Scott prefer to take time before writing a review?

Ao Scott prefers to process his feelings about a movie for a few days before writing a review. This allows him to cool down and reflect on whether the emotional impact of the film was genuinely earned or if it was manipulated by techniques like music and acting.

What is the importance of pacing when writing a review, according to Ao Scott?

Ao Scott believes pacing is crucial in a review. The critic needs to balance their analysis, giving enough space to discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of the film while maintaining the reader's engagement.

How does Ao Scott approach writing about different genres of film?

Ao Scott reviews a wide range of genres—from comedies to action films, to sad or boring movies—and tailors his approach to each. He considers the unique characteristics of each genre and the way they elicit emotional responses, adjusting his tone and style accordingly.

What does Ao Scott mean when he says a review should help readers understand whether a movie is worth their time?

Ao Scott means that a good review provides more than just an opinion; it helps the reader understand why a movie is worth watching, based on its qualities and how it aligns with the reader's personal tastes. This guidance is key to making informed decisions about which movies to watch.