Via The Screengrab comes this lovely reminiscence by Roger Ebert of his foil, and partner of many years, Gene Siskel, who passed away, this day, 10 years ago:
Growing up I watched Sneak Previews religiously; I loved the chemistry between Gene and co-host Roger and I always wished the show was longer – 30 minutes every couple of weeks was no where near enough for me I thought, for them to really analyse a film in depth.
I find Ebert’s look back at his relationship with Siskel fascinating. It seems they didn’t talk together unless they were doing the show and had a genuine dislike, at some level, for one another, (Gene never spoke to Roger about his illness for example).
And yet it seems that both realised that their mutual antipathy really worked in the context of the show and, I would argue, led them to be better critics. Ebert has been criticised for giving too many ’4 star’ ratings, but if you look back at his earlier reviews, when he was in the thick of competition with Siskel you’ll see he’s far less forgiving. Can you imagine him giving a film as well made as ‘All the President’s Men’ only 3 1/2 stars today?
This interests me of course, because at its most basic level what is ‘The Film Talk’ but a homage, a reworking, of ‘Sneak Previews’? It seems clear I’ve created the show I always wanted to watch as a kid.
And in Professor Dr. Gareth Higgins I found that film critic that I could disagree with vehemently, and, at the start at least, disliked intensely, (from the first moment I met him I couldn’t stand him – I remember thinking ‘gee, who is this jerk?’).
But things change, I’ve grown up a bit, and now, in what surely would have shocked the Jett Loe from 3 years ago, I’m honored that Gareth is going to be Best Man at my wedding.
So, with the above in mind, that what I do is so influenced by the wonderful work of these two men, and that sometimes people can do more, achieve more, be better human beings together rather than apart, I’m printing out the photo below right now, to have sitting, framed, on my desk. Thank you for so much for helping instill the love of movies in me Gene, I’m doing my best to emulate your example.
But I’m not growing that mustache.
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(Photos in this post adapted from this image found in Ebert’s article)
