NYT Defense

NYT Defense

My defense is on A.O. Scott’s review of the Mel Gibson vehicle Edge of Darkness. Scott
has been a critic at the Times since 2000 and also served as a guest host on the TV program
At the Movies. He also prepares video blogs on classic movies for The Times.

His review shows a clear understanding of the trajectory of Gibson’s career and a willingness to put his role in Edge of Darkness in context next to his roles in earlier films and through the namedropping of these films, he is able to wield his authority. Very importantly, in the case of Mel Gibson, Scott shows a willingness to put aside the actor’s recently very checkered past and to manage to bring an even tone to the review without mentioned his tirade against Jewish people and women.

The “but” of this article is when Scott writes that “But it turns out that the killer did not miss his target” as it sets up the humor that runs through the review and allows him to humorously state that he felt the movie did not fully add up to a well-rounded film. He also shows an appreciation of the audience that this movie is catered to and surprisingly for what is most likely seen as a star vehicle, contributes a great portion of the review to Danny Huston and Ray Winstone, the latter’s performance even being deemed “the movie’s chief pleasure”.