New York Observer critic Rex Reed is coming under fire from readers who object to his characterization of "Mike & Molly" star Melissa McCarthy as a "hippo" and "tractor-sized" in a review of "Identity Thief," reports HLN’s Showbiz Tonight.
The review, which condemns the entire movie as "a new chunk of junk," also targets McCarthy’s weight as a problem, describing her as a "screeching, humongous creep" and a "female hippo."
More than 900 comments appeared on the New York Observer website in response to the review, including many that are critical of Reed. Said one reader: "Remind me never to read the Observer again." Another pointed out that overweight actors, such as Jonah Hill and Seth Rogan, don’t receive the same level of hostility. Some called for Reed to apologize to McCarthy.
This comes as no surprise.
Decades ago, Rex Reed used to savage Barbra Streisand movies and performances on the basis of Streisand’s nose rather than any merit the film may or may not have had. This is the same critic whose only take home point from “Apocalypse Now” was that it had something to do with “oranges” (he was incorrectly referring to the 2-minute mango hunt scene in the 3 hour film).
So I have grown up knowing he is a critic in the worst sense of the word, and to expect that what comes from him will not be serious critical analysis but merely personal criticism of the snarkiest fashion. That he has had a continuing public platform for this drivel can only be attributed to a cynical desire to entertain readers looking for a laugh at others’ expense.
Some things never change. Rex Reed is one of those things.
As a victim of film critics who bad mouth people to inflate their egos so as to make up for their poor self image, I suggest this quote to Melissa: “Those who can’t — teach, and those who haven’t — criticize.” Not always true, but certainly true in the case of Ms. Rex Reed. I dare Rex on my next movie.
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