Posted by miss d at bl-cods-cmsales.ads.iu.edu on March 22, 2004 at 12:53:24:
In Reply to: Ebert and Roeper posted by Ming on March 22, 2004 at 11:45:24:
...and the opinion of the critic from the MSNBC link Kevin offered:
It seems kind of obvious which critics either have and/or actually spend time with and for their kids, and those who don't. The later seem to be the group panning the movie. The former seem to be the group loving it.
Now, I haven't even seen the movie yet, but both of these critics took issue with the scene where Ollie is running to the school to see a play. Roeper even said "schools schedule these things around work schedules", or something similar. He obviously either doesn't have kids or he lets someone else raise them, because that's absolutely untrue.
There's many a time I've had to call off work, or miss something school related, OR been rushing to get to the school so as not to miss something, due to my work schedule. That's real life Rich - either get some kids, or do the primary care giving to the one(s) you may have, and you'll know that.
Also, who doesn't believe some kids are hammy enough to tap their hand/fingers on their chins while pretending to take a serious tone? I want to meet those people, because I've got a 10 year old I'll loan them for a week (hell, a day, in my kids case) just so they can see how far some kids will go to take something very serious and try to get a laugh out of it.
I think that's how fans will respond too, though. Most of those who have kids, or who interact with kids a lot are probably going to love this movie.
Most of those who don't just won't get it.