CNN Speaks Ill of Dead Film Critic
CNN.com's film critic, Paul Clinton, died earlier this week in Los Angeles. He was 53 years old, and — war in Iraq or not — we find that, too, to be tragically young.
The even greater tragedy, however, might well be his CNN.com obituary, written by his editor. An enterprising reader provided a translation:
• "But there was something perfect: Paul, to his credit, was a perfect gentleman about my tinkering."
That's the best I can come up with - he didn't scream about me monkeying with his copy.
• "Paul wasn't the most artful writer — or most art-obsessed movie reviewer — as he would be the first to tell you."
Really, he wasn't very good at his job. And, boy, I sure had to spend a lot of time rewriting his stuff.
• "He hoped his reviews could be a guide for moviegoers. If not, that was OK: he didn't take himself too seriously, and he hoped you didn't, either."
Why did he bother? Why do I bother?
• "I don't know much about Paul's upbringing beyond a few facts."
I could have found them before writing this obit. But I'm too worn out from all that rewriting.
• "He was also a manic driver, showing me L.A. through the windshield of his over-accelerated, short-stopping Saab convertible. He was a friend."
Well, not a good friend. Glad I remembered that driving story, at least.
• "Paul would likely say elements of those films were 'perfect.' I would, again, take that word out if I could. And then the two of us would laugh again, and prepare for next week's review."
Oh, don't people love having their work altered? It just makes them laugh and laugh.
