MovieChat Forums > Clubbed (2009) Discussion > Misleading review quotes

Misleading review quotes

posted 15 years ago by Carol780
10 replies | jump to latest

I went to see this a few days ago. Thoroughly disappointing story about a nerd who reads Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’ and learns that the route to being a man is to kick a few heads in. Dull and unconvincing.

Prompted me to read the reviews on-line (I know, my own fault for not doing that first) which seem to universally pan the film.

Why does the poster and art say "Clubbed is one of the best UK indie films I have seen in a very long time. SCREEN INTERNATIONAL" when it was a quote of the French distributor REPORTED by Screen International (an influential film trade publication). See www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyArticle.aspx?intStoryID=39811 which reads:

Pretty Pictures has acquired all French-speaking rights to Neil Thompson's Clubbed ....James Velaise, president of Pretty Pictures, said: "Clubbed is one of the best UK indie films I have seen in a very long time."

Isn't this rather misleading? The distributor is bound to say it's good as he's trying to promote it.

Are the other quotes real? Does anyone know where they came from?

[–] collioure_bee 15 years ago

Why should the quotes not be real? Just because you found it dull and unreal? Have you not thought they may have genuinely enjoyed it and felt that way about it? I really enjoyed the film personally so I wouldn't find the quotes misleading at all. Just a matter of taste surely Carol?

[–] tc72 15 years ago

You completely missed the point. They're not saying that the content of the quote was misleading, their saying the credit for the quote is misleading.

Screen International reported what the french distributor said about the film, since they're distributing it they must say positive things about it.

But the poster seems to credit Screen International with making the quote, not just reporting what someone else said about it, now that is misleading.

They've done this kind of thing for musicals for years . This has some great examples:
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/news/excellent-theatres-forced-to-withdraw-misleading-reviews-835860.html

An example:
Sinatra London Palladium, 2006

Advert: "Energy, razzmatazz and technical wizardry"

Full version (The Observer): "For all the energy, razzmatazz and technical wizardry, the audience had been short-changed".

[–] collioure_bee 15 years ago

Yes tc, having re read and re read I agree with you I got it wrong! I also agree with you this has been going on for years, since the year dot I would guess, and not just for musicals. As an aside I saw the musical Sinatra if that is the one mentioned and enjoyed it, apart from the bandleader trying to be centre of attention.

[–] miktal-1 15 years ago

There are always conflicting film reviews. If you are that easily influenced by others opinion, you should at least seek out one you trust or share the same veiw with.
With Independent films you can almost guarantee that the early reviews are very favourable and written by small magazines or periodicals, who are probably friends and family of the director.

"hmmm...upgrades"

[–] harrychalcraft 15 years ago

Noone gives a flying *beep* except you and these three mugs. It was a great film, sure not quite on par with foot soldier but it was a bloody good film. What do you want you pansy?

edit: whoops, just realised it's a lass; sorry darlin :P

[–] allseeing 15 years ago

I think this was slightly better than ROTFS. It had better wigs.
to be honest, that's saying something. Both films are pretty cr@p

[–] mentasm 14 years ago

Do your knuckles bleed when you walk harrychalcraft?

[–] Stig10 14 years ago

I think this movie was brilliant. One of the greatest british movies released in the last few years. But that's just my opinion...

it *beep* all over rise of the foot soldier. Not even worth comparing.

[–] gronk66 14 years ago

Just watched it and thought it was utterly limp. Where was the plot and character development? Where was the story arc? It's just one weed who becomes a bit more unpleasant than he was before surrounded by a bunch of equally if not more ropey actors. I want my hour and a half back. If this is the zenith of british cinema then let's hope we never make another film again.

[–] 14 years ago

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