Movies Drama Movies
A 1997 Crime Thriller Claimed as the Best Film Ever by Rotten Tomatoes
By Jeremy Smith Sept. 28, 2024
In one of the most memorable sequences from Peter Weir’s “Dead Poets Society,” the unconventional prep school English instructor John Keating expresses disdain for an essay penned by the fictional Dr. J. Evans Pritchard. This essay attempts to use a geometrical formula to evaluate the superiority of individual poems, measuring the works of greats like Byron and Shakespeare based on their importance and technical prowess. Keating, horrified by this reductionist approach, urges his students to tear the introduction out of their textbooks.
Art isn’t a mathematical equation. You can’t quantify artistic expression through numbers or simplistic thumbs-up or thumbs-down ratings. When you step out of a film or discuss a novel with friends, assigning a numerical value isn’t the first thing on your mind. If that is your approach, I would rather not meet you.
However, with life moving at a relentless pace and entertainment options proliferating, you can’t engage with everything. The overwhelming abundance of films, television, literature, podcasts, blogs, and vlogs now competes for our precious time. So, when contemplating the merits of the latest “Alien” flick, checking an aggregator like Rotten Tomatoes is a reasonable step.
Yet, if you seek a definitive list of the greatest movies ever made, you should turn to those following rigorous standards. While not every contributor needs to be an academic, it’s crucial to include voices well-versed in film history—especially those with a keen understanding of pre-1970 cinema. Leaving this type of ranking to Rotten Tomatoes? That’s a mistake, and their methodology for compiling the 300 best films ever is a glaring example of their unsuitability for the task.
Curtis Hanson’s “L.A. Confidential” is a remarkable film, skillfully weaving together a tightly constructed neo-noir narrative. It successfully presents James Ellroy’s gritty storytelling without diluting its impact. With a standout cast including Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, and Russell Crowe, it captures the corrupt essence of Los Angeles during that era. If “L.A. Confidential” is your all-time favorite, I can respect that.
But if your argument relies on Rotten Tomatoes’ dubious ranking, that’s where I draw the line. Here’s how they claimed “L.A. Confidential” earned the title of the greatest film ever:
“How did we select and rank the movies? First, each film listed is Certified Fresh. Then, we applied our recommendation formula, which weighs the Tomatometer rating alongside audience feedback, capturing sentiments from both critics and viewers. Critics certified, audience approved!”
Let’s get real: the audience score often misses the mark. Although RT updated the Popcorn meter requirements after backlash against “Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi” (where proof of ticket purchase is now needed to vote), the results can still skew heavily based on input from amateurs—individuals who may have only viewed a handful of films.
While their ranking does include classic masterpieces from before 1970 like “Citizen Kane” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” any list that overlooks Chantal Akerman’s “Jeanne Dielman: 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles,” which recently topped Sight and Sound’s esteemed list of the greatest films, holds little value.
To be fair, there are some solid choices among the Rotten Tomatoes top 300. Notably, Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” doesn’t appear until position 51, which seems reasonable given the list’s context. Nevertheless, significant international works are glaringly absent, particularly from African and Asian filmmakers. This issue parallels discussions surrounding the Sight and Sound list, which also needs to reassess its voting body. The purpose of a list is diminished if it excludes those who truly understand the medium.
I have a passion for cinema and a wealth of knowledge, yet some areas remain outside my expertise. Ultimately, I’m only in a position to share my favorites. If you appreciate this ranking, that’s completely fine with me. Regarding “L.A. Confidential,” it’s a fantastic film, endlessly watchable but wouldn’t break into my personal top 100.
