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Go Home Kauffmann, Thomson, and TNR Classics

BOOKS AND ARTS JANUARY 7, 2011

Kauffmann, Thomson, and TNR Classics

BY LEON WIESELTIER

Check out TNR's new online feature, “At the Movies,” for all of our latest reviews and old classics in one convenient spot (just below “Citizen Cohn” on our blog roll).

The New Republic has been reviewing movies for almost as long as there have been movies. It made noise about them before they made sound. For the last 53 years, Stanley Kauffmann has presided over our coverage of film, with all the strengths of judgment and temperament, and all the erudition, for which he is justly celebrated. His devotion to his calling is itself one of The New Republic’s central teachings. As David Thomson has remarked, “It’s not just that Stanley Kauffmann has lasted so long as a film critic (when so many of them die early from boredom or sitting in the dark), it is that his age never shows, only his experience, his insight and his insatiable urge to rescue films you might never have heard of.”

I did not pick that encomium out of a hat. This magazine is delighted to announce the appointment of a second film critic, and it is David Thomson himself. He will now be reviewing movies regularly for TNR Online, in a new section we’re calling “At the Movies.”  He needs no introduction, except that it is a pleasure to introduce him. Thomson is the author of many acclaimed books and essays on movies and culture, including the widely revered The New Biographical Dictionary of Film and “Have You Seen?” .... A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films. Since he reviewed Luis Bunuel’s memoirs in our pages in 1983, his writings have appeared frequently in the pages of The New Republic, and also in The Book, its online review. He is an old friend of the house. 

It is said that Stanley Kauffmann is the dean of American film criticism. It is also said that David Thomson is the dean of film writing in the English language. The decanal metaphor is much too tweedy for what both of them do, of course; but now they will do what they do together, under one roof, in print and online. Movie lovers, and lovers of real criticism, take note:  the deans are here.     

PS: To delight our movie-loving readers even more, “At the Movies” will also feature film reviews from our vast and rich archive, called “TNR Film Classics.” The history of film criticism is a fine way into the history of film. We begin in 1939, with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington—a timely theme, as scores of newly elected representatives (idealists or extremists, depending on your point of view—but then, Mr. Smith was not exactly a centrist either) experience the Beltway for the first time….

Leon Wieseltier is the literary editor for The New Republic.

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11 comments

Mr Kauffmann has taught me so much over the years. I have read with pleasure his reviews of films I would never see and yet learn from him how to watch a film. His writing is a tutorial in in film without the pedantry. He is one of the reasons I continue to subscribe to TNR. I can only hope that TNR online can live up to his standards of movie selection -- there are movies that do not need review -- and profound insight. Mr Kauffmann has, without pedantry, put the film under discussion, into the context of earlier work. Film is not new. It is old, like literature-- although not as old as literature. Too much "movie" reviews miss this. I hope TNR is sensitive to this. Otherwise we will be subject to another source of "entertainment" reportage.

- mjhill

January 7, 2011 at 12:34am

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I'm confused ... you didn't have the resources for Chris Orr and now you're bringing on a 2nd film critic? Oh well, at least I can read Orr at The Atlantic. I look forward to reading both Thomson and Kaufman, but it may be worth remembering that the latter of these "deans" loved "Titanic."

- benberger

January 7, 2011 at 8:35am

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I second benberger. If I was given a vote for second seat, I would have chosen Chris Orr too. I have read all of DT's stuff and he is good but in all honestly, I find him a bit too fey and persnickety for my tastes. Still, when I am in the mood for fey and persnickety, I can read Thomson in tnr!

- MrCookie1

January 7, 2011 at 9:49am

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Bring on the fey and persnickety David! No one dissects a performance like you, glad to see you - and Kauffman is always a terrific, educational read (although ben and cookie have a great point as always).

- WandreyCer

January 7, 2011 at 12:31pm

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Jill Dont' get me wrong, I enjoy DT but I do struggle with his sensibility at times. I think he lacks the "common" touch, too esoteric, too something. He often doesn't connect with me. Smart, knowledgeable but I can hardly imagine myself going to see a movie with him and then going for a frosty one afterwards to shoot the shit and discuss the movie. I would worry that I would get spittle on his cashmere and when we would shake hands when departing, I would worry that I would crush his soft, porcelain like paw. I loved Chris Orr and I found him to be a good balance. Plus, he is younger and I want to hear what younger people have to say. I met Chris and found him to be a regular guy. I like that. Still, DT is a good hire.

- MrCookie1

January 7, 2011 at 12:42pm

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Great mag just got even better. Thanks.

- gmunford

January 7, 2011 at 2:45pm

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What happened to Chris Orr? he was a good reviewer. I'm not crazy about D.T. though he writes well.

- basman

January 9, 2011 at 2:09am

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Chris Orr is doing his thing for The Atlantic these days.

- jacko

January 9, 2011 at 7:10am

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Thanks for the info Jack: I guess that's a career advance for him.

- basman

January 10, 2011 at 2:39am

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Isn't "At The Movies" the name of the old Siskel & Ebert show?

- smallbus

January 10, 2011 at 6:21pm

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What pisses me off, (I have sent many letters off to "Slate's" or the Mark Kermodes of the world) is why doesn't anybody ever mention Stanley Kauffmann's name when the discussion rises to the subject of film criticism and critics. Except for TNR the only time I heard his name mentioned was by Roger Ebert. Does anybody have an answer? Same way, nobody ever ranked George Carlin - until he died. It's always Richard Pryor and Pauline Kael Randy Hoffman

- rosyrandy

January 21, 2011 at 4:29pm

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