The writer behind Variety’s review of Carey Mulligan’s film Promising Young Woman has spoken out in her won defense amid allegations of sexism.
Dennis Harvey recently became the target of online outrage, after referring to the 35-year-old actress as a “strange choice” for the role of femme fatale, suggesting that producer Margot Robbie would have been a better choice.
And in a new interview with The Guardian, the film critic has labeled Carey’s reaction to her words as “weird” and “quite a leap,” insisting that her review will never compare to the actresses’ appeal.
Loud: The writer behind Variety’s review of Carey Mulligan’s film Promising Young Woman has spoken out in her won defense amid allegations of sexism
He said: ‘[W]Although Carey Mulligan certainly has a right to interpret the review however she wants, her projection that suggests she’s not “hot enough” is, to me, weird. I’m sorry it feels that way. But I’m also sorry that it’s a conclusion I would jump to, because it’s a leap. “
Harvey also admitted he wasn’t sure about his future with Variety after writing for them for 30 years, as they apologized for his “insensitive” review.
“I didn’t even mean Mulligan“ not hot enough ”for the role,” he said. “I’m a 60-year-old gay man. I don’t really engage in the comparative reflections of young actresses, let alone write about it.
‘[I’m] he was scared to be tarnished as a misogynist, which is very different from my personal beliefs or my politics, ”he continued. “All of this couldn’t be more horrible to me than if someone had claimed to be a Trump supporter.”
Problem: Mulligan attacked the Variety review, insisting it was “transparent” and behind the times
During his interview, Harvey noted the fact that his article had remained online for 11 months without a complaint until Carey ruled against it.
He also said U.S. distributors asked to use quotes from their review as part of their marketing campaign shortly after it was released last year.
In his review of Variety, Harvey stated that Mulligan appeared to be “badly dragged” into the film, as he suggested that Robbie should have taken on the role.
During an interview with the New York Times late last year, Mulligan had criticized Variety for “sexist” criticism, saying he was pushing [her] boig ‘.
The review said, “Mulligan, a good actress, seems a little weird, as she’s obviously an apparent fat woman of many layers: Margot Robbie is a producer here, and you can imagine (perhaps too easily) the role she could have been once destined for it.
Role: In her review, Harvey suggested that Margot Robbie, producer of the film, would have been a better choice for the role of femme fatale
“While wearing this star, Cassie wears her pick – up gear as a bad drag; even her long blond hair looks down.
The Variety review was posted online a year ago, but was updated with a bold “Editor’s Note” apology after Mulligan spoke about it in a recent interview.
“Variety sincerely apologizes to Carey Mulligan and regrets the insensitive language and insinuation in our review of‘ Young Promise ’that minimized her bold performance,” the apology says.
Variety told the Daily Telegraph that Harvey is an independent critic, and did not comment on whether he would continue to write for the publication.
A statement said: “Variety has no further comment. Apologies speak for themselves.”
Reviewing the review: Mulligan spoke again this week talking about the controversy with his movie star Zendaya in the series Actors on Actors from Variety
Mulligan spoke again this week talking about the controversy with his movie star Zendaya in the Variety Actors on Actors series.
During the interview, Zendaya investigated Mulligan when she called Variety after publishing the Promising Young Woman review.
“I think it’s important for criticism to be constructive,” Mulligan said. ‘I think it’s important that we’re looking at the right things when it comes to work, and we’re looking at art and we’re looking at performance.
“And I don’t think that goes to the actor’s appearance or your personal preference as to whether or not an actor, which he thought he was doing that article.”
“So I think in criticizing or lamenting a character’s lack of attractiveness, it wasn’t a personal lightness,” Mulligan continued.
Acclaim: Her portrayal of Cassie in Promising Young Woman has received widespread acclaim
“I wasn’t hurt by my ego, but I was worried that in such a big post the appearance of an actress could be criticized and that I could accept her as a totally reasonable critic.”
‘It’s important to say these things, because they seem small and seem insignificant. But I stayed, because I think it’s these kinds of everyday moments that add up. “
“Very well said,” Zendaya replied.
The apology came after Mulligan called Variety in an interview with The New York Times after Variety published his review.
“I read the Variety review because I’m a weak person,” Mulligan told the Times. “And I argued with that. I felt like I was basically saying it wasn’t hot enough to start these kinds of traps.
It drove me so crazy. He would say to me, ‘Really? For this film, will you write something so transparent? Now? In 2020? ‘I just couldn’t believe it.
But Variety’s apologies have been criticized by his film critic Jeffrey Wells, who said that while he disagreed with Harvey’s review, the publication should have given him a chance to respond.
He exploded online: “In this case Harvey’s hands have been completely washed and more or less thrown under the bus.”
Promising Young Woman, first released on Christmas Day 2020, features Mulligan as Cassie, who fights men who try to sleep with her while she seems intoxicated.
Mulligan has won an award for Best Actress on the National Board of Review for her performance, with Oscar Buzz following her as well.
Actors: stated that personal appearance should not be considered a fair critique for actors