Empire Control Room & Garage
Thanks For Sharing Review Misses the Mark
RECEIVED Fri., Sept. 27, 2013
Dear Editor,
Once again, the Chronicle's movie reviewer sadly missed the mark [Film Listings, Sept. 20]. OK, I get it. If you watch umpteen movies every week as part of your job, you can't be over the moon about every film. But Thanks for Sharing was so good on so many levels that when I read Kimberley Jones' ho-hum and actually negative review, my head just about exploded! WTF? I'd say it's borderline sociopathic to discourage anyone from seeing this film. Not only is it well written and very well acted (being a guy who doesn't easily tear-up, I had at least two unexpected sobby moments), it's a movie that has profoundly positive social value and messages. Addiction and obsessive/compulsive behavior are epidemic in our world, more so than ever. Jones' opinion that the film “isn't really about a disease, only the cure" is blatantly inaccurate. Perhaps she'd prefer to see two hours of out-of-control depravity with no redemption. Perhaps she's uncomfortable with – and quick to denounce – anything that lifts the lid on her own shadows. Who knows? What is important is that people disregard her arrogant condescension and go see this worthy and poignant film. It not only shines a needed light on the problem itself and shows very clearly how it can and does ruin lives, it portrays real people helping each other out of dysfunction. Wow, what a concept! That Jones thinks this is "a sham as a portrait of actual human beings," only belies her own dysfunctional mind, in my opinion. But people, forget Jones and her pettiness. Her assessment of this movie is the only real sham. Go see it. You will enjoy it and you will learn something. You might gain more compassion. If you've ever been in recovery for anything, go see this film. It has enough grit to be very real and it's uplifting, life-affirming, and it has heart. Don't let movie snobs convince you there is anything wrong with that.
Once again, the Chronicle's movie reviewer sadly missed the mark [Film Listings, Sept. 20]. OK, I get it. If you watch umpteen movies every week as part of your job, you can't be over the moon about every film. But Thanks for Sharing was so good on so many levels that when I read Kimberley Jones' ho-hum and actually negative review, my head just about exploded! WTF? I'd say it's borderline sociopathic to discourage anyone from seeing this film. Not only is it well written and very well acted (being a guy who doesn't easily tear-up, I had at least two unexpected sobby moments), it's a movie that has profoundly positive social value and messages. Addiction and obsessive/compulsive behavior are epidemic in our world, more so than ever. Jones' opinion that the film “isn't really about a disease, only the cure" is blatantly inaccurate. Perhaps she'd prefer to see two hours of out-of-control depravity with no redemption. Perhaps she's uncomfortable with – and quick to denounce – anything that lifts the lid on her own shadows. Who knows? What is important is that people disregard her arrogant condescension and go see this worthy and poignant film. It not only shines a needed light on the problem itself and shows very clearly how it can and does ruin lives, it portrays real people helping each other out of dysfunction. Wow, what a concept! That Jones thinks this is "a sham as a portrait of actual human beings," only belies her own dysfunctional mind, in my opinion. But people, forget Jones and her pettiness. Her assessment of this movie is the only real sham. Go see it. You will enjoy it and you will learn something. You might gain more compassion. If you've ever been in recovery for anything, go see this film. It has enough grit to be very real and it's uplifting, life-affirming, and it has heart. Don't let movie snobs convince you there is anything wrong with that.
Stephen Summers
