Posted at 1:00 p.m.
Art feels
I completely agree with René Richard Cyr. The point system is outdated, paternalistic, reductive, childish. Art cannot be quantified. Art is felt, shared. Art leads us into a gray zone where we find our account, or not. But to put a “note” on a work…? It’s pretentious for one, and degrading for the other.
Marie Brodeur, documentary filmmaker for dance and the arts
Condescension towards the public
Dear Mr. Richard-Cyr, I myself am an artist, creator, musician, author. The mass media has never talked about my works in over 30 years. I was not entitled to 7/10, or even 1/5. Nothing. I suspect my lack of contact in the “circle” of the business cultural, this little space that has been granted to me. But maybe I’m also dumb. That said, I am an avid consumer of culture. But this notation absolutely does not prevent me from liking — or not — a work. I think you’re condescending to the public by infantilizing them too, as if we can’t separate things. In fact, by following the reviews, we come to know who has our tastes, which helps us to spend our money on works that we will like. I got caught like this a few times, but I learned not to follow with closed eyes those who loved the movies Rome and Continental, a film without a gun… It should be noted that the numerous albums, which I always buy, the shows which I see in Corona “sold out” or the films which I see are, at 90%, absent from the pages of The Press. No rating influenced me.
Alan Charles, Black Pearl Productions
Scoring explained
Well, after the report cards, here is that the cultural notation does not apply. I am in favor of an explained rating that allows the reader to quickly understand the appreciation of the artistic columnist. Well done and carry on.
Stephane Rousseau
“It offends me”
I completely agree with René Richard Cyr. I hate with passion this way of grading works. This is the first thing you notice when you try to read a review in your journal. If at least the note were listed at the end of the article, we would understand the reasoning that led to this note. But no, it seems that our eye is first drawn to the note. Honestly, that pisses me off. As if the critic was on the same level as the artist or had the same importance as the work in question.
Lyne Richard
Criticize the critics
Our society seems to refuse more and more the notion of competitiveness and evaluation. Does it really prepare us to face life, where we must inevitably face competition in one form or another? In schools, dropping grades or AEs is laughable and challenged by parents who don’t see it. I think that in general, the public easily judges critics unfavorably. Finally, even if some critics removed their notes in their journal, a multitude of easily accessible sites compile the opinion (and the note) of the public.
Michael Sauvageau
More just
I agree with Mr. Cyr. Moreover, the review Quebec lettersits dropped the point system in its critical section. It takes a bit more effort for the reader, but it’s fairer to the work and the creators. A low score will alienate the reader and remains an appreciation of the critic.
Claude Gagnon, Lachine
Comments
The grades awarded by The Press are accompanied by comments. I do not see where the problem is. With due respect to René Richard Cyr, as a consumer of cultural products, I want to continue to consult this evaluation system.
Marie-Josee Duquette
Make a selection
I understand your reluctance Mr. Cyr, but as an audience, we have limited resources (time and money) and cannot support every show or movie showing. Reviews allow us to make some selection and know what to expect. Moreover, it is not said that we are going to rely solely on the odds. Recently, I went to see a movie rated only 6, niagara, and we loved it. On the other hand, my spouse and I will go see viking which did not interest me originally precisely because it is highly rated.
Francine Fournier