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I have long been a fan of Barry Norman’s film criticism, particularly on the BBC Film?? programs. The reason is simple: he always gives an honest opinion, backed up by a passion for, andsond knowledge of, cinema. I don’t always agree with him, but I still value his opinion. This is in marked contrast to most other television critics, though I must say I have the same respect for Jonathan Ross and for the same reason (though I find his non-film stuff, such as the chat show, often rather puerile).
Norman’s book is a well written and absorbing account of his life. There are lots of good stories, though not quite as many from the BBC days as I would have liked. He gives a refreshingly non-startstruck view of the film world, which is informative and entertaining. What is interesting to me is how Norman himself comes across in his writing. He is, as you would expect, pretty honest. In a very un-English manner, he is also quite comfortable in pointing out where he thinks he has done a good or very good job, that does sometimes verge on the arrogant. Mind you, he is also happy to admit to his mistakes, and makes no attempt to cover up his less endearing traits: his inability to suffer fools lightly; his short temper, and his bouts of petulance. Like his criticism, I find that I respect this honest approach. For anyone with any interest in film at all, this is well worth a read.
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film  film archive The best of cinema in the UK from 2002 to 2008. |
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