Back in my day: a critical perspective
October 30 officially sees Margaret and David turn 25. Of course not physically, as that would just be a little odd, but figuratively as this dynamic duo of film reviewing majesty in this ‘sad sorry-ass town’ (thanks Jay Katz) chalk-up a quarter century in debating the fruits of cinematic achievement so we know how to part with our hard-earned.
By Chris Murray – Popcorn Taxi
It must be noted I have an acute dislike for the majority of film reviewers. The griminess of their trade, the egocentric nature of personal missions overshadowing the craft, and the shallow deliveries designed to impress their peers rather than the public. You’d think the pricks actually made movies for a living instead of merely watching the art of others. I should know having spent thousands of hours in the dark alongside as they scribble away and whine about how ‘flat out’ they are sitting down for living.
‘Try working in a factory, you twat!’ has been my inner cry as yet another Luddite quizzes a publicist on the intricacies of the running time.
It’s a simple job folks – watch and help others make up their minds via being honest and informative. Passion never hurt either. In fact, without passion you’re simply a weatherman on breakfast TV ‘coming to you live from a cake stall in Goulburn!’.
Dave and Marge are different. The sheer audacity in me referring to them with such familiarity concretes my personal love for their work.
As a shy and out-of-place film reviewing newbie in the mid ‘90s, it was with awe I would watch the duo enter a screening room and take their place with a casual comfort and inclusive demeanor akin to a relative at a family luncheon. Harassed by others and pointed-at in hushed-tones, it was a sight to behold as the bees buzzed closer to their honey pot. I was scared, shy and of the belief I really didn’t belong. Probably why it took a solid four years before I would speak to ANYONE, let alone those two. But it was they who spoke to me first.
“Hi, I’m David,” with an outstretched hand. Margaret, of course, was desperately trying to ingest enough nicotine to kill a small rhino prior to the screening and had her hands full. I liked ‘em both instantly, this odd and honest couple. Over the years I’ve admired and respected their friendship, individuality and complete selfless approach to sprouting an educated opinion. ‘Cos after all, it is only an opinion; and one to be used as a measuring stick against your own. It’s not the law.
“What a load of shit that was, eh!” David has said to me on more than one occasion after so-called ‘blockbuster’ screenings. Yet his boyish boasting on finding a Region 1 DVD of Kiss Me Deadly or Night of the Hunter is akin to witnessing a six year-old getting Lego for Christmas.
David hates people arriving late to screenings, my God does he what! Margaret seems unfazed at most things, except distributors who can’t keep to schedules, or general rudeness. Although her wicked sense of humour would make Judd Apatow blush. Apparently her private Oscar parties are something to behold, which makes me very happy. I once had the pleasure of dining with David and fiercely debated the merits (or lack of) on Matthew Vaughan’s Kick-Ass. Even though the man who self-confessed to urinating on one of the world’s greatest film directors (literally) thought the film ‘repulsive’, he still listened thoughtfully to my rant on perhaps that’s ‘cos the film wasn’t intended for an ‘old dude’. He laughed heartily and we agreed to disagree, as all artistic debates should transpire. He’s politely called me a ‘fuckwit’ on stage after numerous public roastings, and I’m sure he’ll do so again upon reading this. I can hear Margaret’s infectious and mischievous giggle even now knowing all I say to be true. But that’s why I like them both enormously… and why I loathe the rest. They are about sharing. They are about people. They are about art and they are about life. And together they are a perfect balance between all they consume. May they keep doing what only they can do for as long as humanly possible, for us film-lovers out there will die in a desperate desert of mediocrity and PR pap the very second they’re gone.
Chris Murray is the creative director of Popcorn Taxi.
Living proof (just) that decent people in this industry can earn a living without actually creating or making films – good on em.
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