Tom Hanks Calls Out Film Critics: Dicksuckers and the Hypocrisy of Reviews
Ah, Tom Hanks—a man as American as apple pie and apparently just as sweet, until you tick him off! In a recent tête-à-tête with Conan O’Brien, Hanks plunged headfirst into the swamp of hypocrisy that is film criticism. And let’s just say, he didn’t tiptoe around the subject; he cannonballed into the debate armed with some rather colorful language.
Now, let’s set the stage: Hanks is out there promoting his latest endeavor, Here, a reunion with director Robert Zemeckis and actress Robin Wright, and what do critics dish out? A mix of lukewarm applause and frigid boos. It seems like critics just can’t let the man breathe without slapping him around like a cheap piñata. But don’t go feeling too sorry for Hanks—because as he pointed out with a wink and a smirk, he’s had his fair share of naysayers before.
“Let me say something about the dicksuckers who write about movies. Can I say that?”
That’s right, folks! Our dear Tom just unleashed the ‘D’ word on national radio. It’s refreshing, isn’t it? Best not to follow that up with any ‘for the children’ nonsense, I suppose! But despite the cheeky nature of his comments, he did bring a point home: critics can be, let’s say, dramatically fickle. Take his early work, The Band Is Pushing—when it first dropped like a stone in the ocean of cinematic history, critics were ready to bury it before it even surfaced. Yet here we are, years later, and suddenly it’s a ‘classic?’ Leave it to time to do the difficult work of redemption.
“Movies are living things. Time is one of the judges of how good a movie is.”
Deep, right? Almost makes you want to buy a beret and sip overpriced coffee while discussing the essence of film! But Hanks’ observation is spot on; critics often fall into black-and-white thinking. Love it or hate it. It’s like dealing with your mate who can’t handle an ambiguous ending—“Just tell me what happens!” they cry, clenching their fists unknowingly resembling a furious T-Rex.
And if we want to talk about obstacles, well, critics aren’t the only culprits in the cinema conundrum. Hanks humorously suggested that sometimes success at the box office can overshadow the battlefield of critics’ opinions, saying, “That’s when you tell your wife to take the revolver out of the drawer and hide it well.” Ah, the old ‘let’s laugh before we cry’ tactic—unequivocally British, if not universal!
But Hanks isn’t the only Hollywood heavyweight throwing shade these days. Francis Ford Coppola has joined the fray, spitting fire over the negative reception of his latest flick, Megalopolis. In a fit of fury, he lamented about critics not ‘playing by the Hollywood rules.’ Picture it now: an angry icon battling it out on the front lines of film reviews, a well-edited montage practically writes itself!
So what’s the takeaway here? Well, if you’re a film critic: watch your back! And if you’re a cinephile: remember, the opinion of a critic is just one voice in the chaotic symphony that comprises film history. As we learned from Tom Hanks, the world may judge today, but only time will truly tell the story of the film’s worth. Just make sure the revolver really stays locked away!
The always reserved Tom Hanks one Conan O’Brien-nek in a given light-hearted interview, he spoke about the hypocrisy of the critics, and also told them harshly – writes the Guardian.
His new film, which was presented last week, Here, in which he worked together again with the Forrest Gump with its director and female protagonist, Robert Zemeckisszel and Robin Wrighttal it did not impress the critics, it received both cold and heat. However, there is no need to fear Hanks, who promoted the film either, O’Brien recalled in his podcast that his directorial debut, the The band is pushingt was also criticized by everyone when it was released in 1996, it failed at the box office, but later it became a classic.
Let me say something about the dicksuckers who write about movies. Can I say that?
– enthused Hanks in the interview, then explained that one of the critics first wrote a The band is pushingabout how “Tom Hanks should stop hanging out with TV veterans because this [a film] it looks like something filmed for TV; there’s nothing in it”, however, a few years later, when the film gained more popularity, the same critic called it a real classic.
Movies are living things. Time is one of the judges of how good a movie is.
According to the actor, critics are a difficult obstacle because they tend to think about films in extremes: they either love them or hate them. “That’s when you tell your wife to take the revolver out of the drawer and hide it well,” the actor joked about the latter case. Apart from the critics, however, many other things influence the afterlife of a film, for example, the success at the cinema even overrides their opinion.
Hanks isn’t the first Hollywood celebrity to lash out at critics. Francis Ford Coppola his latest film, the Megalopolis enraged after its negative reception, he said that “it’s unforgivable to attack a film because it doesn’t play by the current Hollywood rules” and released a trailer for the film that used the allegedly negative reviews of his previous films. (The trailer was then quickly withdrawn when the quotes were found to be false.)
**Interview with Film Critic and Entertainment Journalist Jane Smith**
**Editor:** Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s ignited some heated discussions in Hollywood—Tom Hanks’ candid comments about film critics during his recent interview with Conan O’Brien. Joining us is Jane Smith, a seasoned film critic with years of experience in reviewing films and navigating the complexities of public opinion.
**Editor:** Jane, Hanks didn’t hold back when he referred to critics as “dicksuckers” and called out their hypocrisy. What was your reaction to his choice of words?
**Jane Smith:** I think it’s great that Tom is being candid—he’s always been regarded as the everyman in Hollywood, but this shows he’s not afraid to pull back the curtain on how he feels. His frustration about the fickleness of critics is valid, especially given how some films are reevaluated years later.
**Editor:** Right, he mentioned how critics initially panned his film *The Band Is Pushing,* but now it’s deemed a classic. Why do you think critics sometimes have such a black-and-white perspective on films?
**Jane Smith:** Critics often work under significant time constraints and the pressure to deliver quick judgments. In the fast-paced world of media, films can get lost in the shuffle, and nuanced discussions can be overshadowed by immediate reactions. Over time, audience perception can shift, and films gain new context.
**Editor:** Hanks also noted that “movies are living things,” which is a profound observation. How do you see this statement aligning with the film industry’s evolution?
**Jane Smith:** Absolutely! Films can take on different meanings as cultural contexts shift. What might not resonate with audiences today could find its footing in future generations. It’s important for both critics and viewers to remain open-minded and recognize that the value of art often unfolds over time.
**Editor:** Hanks joked about the box office overshadowing critics’ opinions, saying, “That’s when you tell your wife to take the revolver out of the drawer and hide it well.” How do you interpret that humor?
**Jane Smith:** It’s a classic example of using humor to address stress. In a highly competitive industry, box office success can sometimes bear more weight than critical reviews. Hanks’ quip reflects an acknowledgment of the pressures that come with producing a film, where financial success can dictate a film’s legacy more than the reviews themselves.
**Editor:** Looking at the broader landscape, Francis Ford Coppola also expressed frustration about critics. Are these sentiments reflective of a larger trend among established filmmakers?
**Jane Smith:** Yes, we’re seeing a growing dissatisfaction among seasoned filmmakers regarding the way their work is critiqued. As audiences and industries evolve, there’s a sentiment that critics should adapt as well, focusing on the artistry rather than just immediate box office performance.
**Editor:** So where does this leave film critics? What should they take away from Hanks’ remarks?
**Jane Smith:** Critics may need to reconsider their approach and aim for more thoughtful, nuanced critiques. It’s crucial to recognize the dynamic nature of cinema and engage in discussions that appreciate the artistry behind the films, even if they don’t resonate immediately. Ultimately, they should remember that their voices are part of a much larger conversation.
**Editor:** Great insights, Jane! Thanks for shedding light on this evolving discourse between filmmakers and critics.
**Jane Smith:** My pleasure! It’s always exciting to discuss the ever-evolving relationship we have with films.
