You are not logged in. (Kermode vs Isaacs
Every Friday on Radio Five Live, Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo say “Hello Jason Isaacs” and pause for him to reply, in reference to his being a great fan of the show.
Yesterday however, they managed to get a reply, as Jason Isaacs was in the studio.
Cue: one very interesting debate between a controversial film critic and an actor with knowledge of the workings of the industry.
One interesting point that came up was whether or not critics should spend any time on set. Kermode argues no: anyone who spends time on the set of a bad film won’t recognize it as a bad film. Isaacs argues yes: anyone who spends time on the set of a film gains a better understanding of how the film is made and can then be justified in any criticism of the production.
Personally, I side with Kermode on this one. Film reviewers have to review a film from the perspective of the punter, and not everyone is going to get to go on the set of every film they see. Commentary on the production of a film comes from what appears on the screen, not what happens on the set.
But, are critics just talking about something of which they know virtually nothing?
You can download the interview with Jason Isaacs from the BBC Radio Five Live website.
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