Nailing Scarlett Johannson Provides Fodder For Debate on Journalistic Ethics
Did David Carr and Paul Farhi see the same movie? Using Scoop as a jumping off point, they both wrote pieces on the image of reporters in film. Back at the end of July, Fahri had the following in the Washington Post
which noted that, "'Scoop' isn't exactly 'All the President's Men,' but as a reporter, Johansson embodies many of the noblest qualities of the news trade. She's a Nancy Drew knockoff — curious, creative and courageous in chasing an important story."
Today, Carr goes the other way,
revealing that, "In 'Scoop,' a Woody Allen movie that opened last month, Scarlett Johansson, playing the ing nue/reporter, reprises the clich of journalism as a wordier version of the world's oldest profession. Within the first five minutes of the film, she dons a pair of eyeglasses (to signify serious intent or, possibly, Diane Keaton) and then promptly sleeps with a source."
Maybe standards are different at the two shops; either way, the Post sounds like a hell of a lot more fun place to work at.
It Pays to Be a Print Journalist — in Films [WaPo]
Reporters on Film: Drunks and Tarts
Earlier: Print Journalists in Movies Exhibit Integrity, Excellent Racks