Writing a Movie Review? Heed the advice of Roger Ebert

I love reading a good movie review.

I also love writing one.

It took me a while to realize, though, that my reviews really weren’t all that great. That’s when I started actively searching for advice about how to improve my writing as a new fish in the movie criticism pond. Enter Roger Ebert.

It’s probably no surprise that the best advice would come from the best reviewer in the business. Before I dole out Sage Roger’s tips, let’s do a brief overview of his life and career, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the man.

Early Days

Roger Ebert (1942–2013) was an American film critic, journalist, and screenwriter. He was born in Urbana, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied journalism. After graduation, Ebert worked as a reporter and later as a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.

Becoming the G.O.A.T

Ebert became one of the most influential film critics of his generation, known for his insightful and thought-provoking reviews. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1975, becoming the first film critic to win the award. He was also the first critic to have a television show, “Sneak Previews,” which aired on PBS.

In addition to his criticism, Ebert was an avid supporter of independent and foreign films, and he worked to promote these films through his writing and television appearances. He was also a prolific author, having written several books on film and its impact on society.

The Legacy

Ebert’s career was cut short by cancer, and he passed away in 2013. Nevertheless, his legacy as one of the most respected and influential film critics of all time continues to live on.

Ok, now that we’ve introduced the man, let’s move on to his nuggets of wisdom.

Ebert’s Do’s and Don’ts

DO’s:

1. Be honest: Write your honest opinion about the movie without being swayed by personal biases or external factors.

2. Be fair: Give credit where it’s due, but also objectively point out the movie’s flaws. Avoid over-the-top praise or excessive criticism.

3. Watch the entire film: A review is only meaningful if you’ve seen the entire movie, so make sure you don’t miss any critical scenes or details.

4. Consider the filmmakers' intention: Try to understand their vision, their intention behind making the movie, and how well they achieved it. Put yourself in their shoes.

5. Use clear, concise language: Write in a way that’s easy to understand and engaging to read while avoiding overly technical or vague language.

DONT’S:

1. Don’t give away plot twists: Avoid spoilers that could ruin the movie-going experience for others.

2. Don’t focus on trivia: Keep the review focused on the film’s overall impact, rather than getting bogged down in minor details.

3. Don’t just summarize the movie: A review should offer more than just a synopsis of the movie, it should provide an analysis of its merits and drawbacks.

4. Don’t write to please your readers: Write what you truly think rather than trying to appeal to a specific audience.

5. Don’t base your review on a trailer or preview: A movie preview can be misleading, so watch the entire movie before writing your review.

These nuggets of wisdom are simple but immensely important. They pare down overly complicated reviewing and make it a straightforward process that produces clear and concise ideas. Once you consistently implement them, you can start fleshing out your reviews, adding your voice and writing style to give an added verve to each piece, as Ebert did.

These tips have helped me greatly, and I hope they do the same for you.

To conclude, I’ll leave you with some quotes from the master himself. Enjoy!

- “No good movie is too long, and no bad movie is short enough.”

- “The best criticism is a movie that works.”

- “A movie is not about what it is about. It is about how it is about what it is about.”

- “Movies are machines that generate empathy.”

- “Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you.”

“The best films are the ones that make us feel, that make us think, that make us care.”

Thanks for reading!