"The biggest surprise of this Christmas season is, without a doubt, ’Mission: Impossible’ from Paramount!"
In the wealthy enclave of Long Island, New York, Roger Ebert was rapidly tapping away on an old-fashioned typewriter.
As a well-known film critic, he had actually already been invited by Hollywood to attend internal screenings of three films.
But the Christmas season is, after all, different from other release slates; many more viewers are likely to step into cinemas.
Therefore, Roger Ebert preferred to gauge the initial reception of these films upon release, rather than write his reviews directly based on personal taste as he might with many art films, "At this ti, it’s important to align with the audience in order to extend one’s influence, rather than aim to stand out with a show of aesthetic sophistication."
Roger set down his coffee and continued to type.
"Although in comrcial cinema, the brave and handso male actors, beautiful female actors, thrilling action scenes, and plot twists are not new..."
"But a film like ’Mission: Impossible’, which perfectly amalgamates these elents, and is then delivered just right by the superstar Tom Cruise in top form, is exceedingly rare."
"In short, unless you have a considerable dislike for action films, ’Mission: Impossible’ is definitely your first choice when you go to the movies."
"And if you’re looking to watch a film with the whole family and don’t want to be embarrassed by intimate scenes, then ’101 Dalmatians’ should satisfy."
"This Disney movie retains their consistent ’good triumphs over evil, bad guys will ultimately fail,’ warm and sweet family-friendly style."
"As everyone knows, having animals as the main characters can make shooting very challenging."
"However, the director’s approach in this film can be described as textbook quality."
"And Glenn Close’s portrayal of the villain is comical and funny without being frightening and is not overshadowed."
"I believe ’101 Dalmatians’ will delight the children imnsely."
After writing this passage, the well-known critic felt a sense of relief wash over him.
Because the next film, ’Cutthroat Island’, allowed him to return to his familiar rhythm.
"Criticism does indeed feel more relaxing than praise," Roger thought to himself with a laugh as he continued typing.
"As for Universal’s ’Cutthroat Island’, I would not recomnd it to the audience."
"This pirate-thed film, which claims to have an investnt of over a hundred million, completely fails to capture the mystique and ferocity of the legendary profession."
"The supposed perilous treasure hunt is fild as if the male and female leads are on their honeymoon."
"This movie puzzles , especially since Universal’s previous project ’I’m so rich,’ though it changed the original the of the novel, was actually quite exciting."
"It wasn’t until I found out there were French people among the producers that I understood why all this was happening."
"But if they wanted to make a romantic film, why choose Gina Davis, a 40-year-old actress known for her acting skills?"
After writing with vitriolic words for several minutes, he finally nodded with satisfaction and handed the manuscript to his agent.
"Roger," the agent looked at the piece, puzzled, and said, "Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to devote such a large portion to negative critique? After all, the producer of ’Cutthroat Island’ is Universal!"
"It doesn’t matter, the film itself is terrible," the critic shrugged, unconcerned.
"Besides," Roger said with a smile, "it’s not like I’m the only one being paid, most people are being paid."
Just... few of them probably know who actually provided the funds...
To be honest, when I was previously approached by representatives citing Disney and Viacom to write a harsh critique of ’Cutthroat Island,’ I was a bit incredulous myself.
The reality is, the film critic is at a disadvantage when faced with the Hollywood giants.
Therefore, when it cos to the big production companies, they would only accept fees for positive publicity of a movie.
When writing negative critiques, however, the stance was to adhere to journalistic integrity and not take any fees.
This practice had essentially beco an unwritten rule between the film critics and the production companies.
After all, the struggles between the giants are exceedingly perilous.
They could be ruined by a single misstep in this arena.
But the two giants really want to break the rules, and they’ve offered an incredibly high public relations fee?
The producer of ’Cutthroat Island’ is Universal, not Columbia owned by the Chairman.
I was also assured that if Universal targeted the critics, the two dia conglorates would provide protection.
Driven by greed and curiosity, Roger Ebert wrestled with the notion for a long ti.
Then, the financier finally lost patience and revealed his true colors.
To the film critic’s surprise, the financier was neither Viacom nor Disney—both giants who were in competition with "Cutthroat Island."
Nor was it Tom Cruise, an actor who had solo box office pressure.
"Larry Elson?" Roger thought for a mont but still didn’t understand why the mogul would target "Cutthroat Island."
But...
Technology Elites indeed are very generous!
The well-known film critic thought as he reached for the check in the drawer.
...
anwhile, in the office of the Chairman of Universal.
Little Bronfman looked at the docunt handed over by President Ron yer with a somber expression that was frightening.
The "Cutthroat Island" he had pinned high hopes on ca in last in box office sales on its debut.
Such a performance wouldn’t even pass muster during the movie off-season, let alone during the Christmas holidays.
Little Bronfman lifted his head and glared fiercely at his subordinate, Ron yer.
Just a few days ago, he had sworn to him, "If ’Brave Heart’ could be a big hit, then ’Cutthroat Island,’ with an even larger investnt, would surely succeed."
The rich second-generation shook his head, trying not to recall the scene in his mind.
Now was not the ti to pursue accountability; what mattered was to make a change.
"Is there a possibility that ’Cutthroat Island’ could be like Hitchcock’s early films, with poor box office performance on its opening day but eventually triumph through word of mouth?"
Ron yer bowed his head, not daring to make eye contact with his boss.
Although he wanted to nod for self-comfort,
logic told him that it was best not to lie at this ti.
"It’s tough..." Ron yer put on the humble attitude that he used as an agent when dealing with stars.
"The rapid spread of those films’ positive reputations was inseparable from the push by film critics."
"Then increase the PR budget, go bribe well-known film critics like Roger Ebert and Cavin Bolon!" Little Bronfman yelled, throwing the docunt onto the table.
"I’ve already tried..." Ron yer’s head hung even lower, "Universal offered them PR fees far beyond what we’ve done in the past."
"But those people all refused to accept it and even viciously attacked ’Cutthroat Island’!"
Do film critics have such integrity?
Little Bronfman thought for a mont and shook his head slightly.
"Has there ever been a case where film critics didn’t accept PR fees for a movie?"
"This phenonon of uniformly not accepting PR fees as long as the reviews are good," Ron yer thought for a mont, "I don’t think it’s ever happened!"
"Sobody’s playing dirty tricks behind the scenes!" Little Bronfman imdiately caught on.
But...
Who has the capability and motive to do this?
He picked up his coffee and took a sip, his mind racing.
Suddenly, an event from not long ago ca back to him.
"Eisner, Redstone?"
Recently, they had asked him to give up negotiations with a website.
And "101 Dalmatians," "Mission: Impossible" were produced by their respective studios and in direct competition with "Cutthroat Island."
Little Bronfman’s eyes deepened as he picked up the phone and dialed the Canadian area code.
Ha, we’re all Jewish...
How mother-fucking ridiculous!
"Father, Redstone and Eisner..." the rich second-generation said into the phone.
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