When the Lights Go Down

When the Lights Go Down is Pauline Kael's sixth collection of film reviews, published in 1980 and featuring work originally published in The New Yorker between 1975 and 1980. The book opens with an in-depth profile of Cary Grant before presenting over 150 reviews of films from the late 1970s. The collection represents a significant period in both cinema history and Kael's career as one of America's most influential film critics. Her reviews cover major releases of the era, examining both commercial Hollywood productions and independent films through her distinctive critical lens. The book sparked significant debate within literary and film criticism circles, notably drawing an extensive critique from fellow critic Renata Adler in The New York Review of Books. Though currently out of print in the United States, it continues to be published in the United Kingdom by Marion Boyars Publishers. Kael's writing in this collection demonstrates her ability to analyze films within their broader cultural context, exploring the relationship between cinema, society, and artistic expression in late 1970s America.

Readers value Kael's sharp wit and fearless criticism in this collection of her New Yorker reviews from 1975-1979. Reviews highlight her detailed analysis of films like Taxi Driver and Nashville, with many noting how her perspectives have held up decades later. Likes: - Clear, conversational writing style - Deep cultural context for each film - Personal voice that avoids academic pretension Dislikes: - Some readers find her tone overly harsh - Several note her bias against certain directors (particularly Kubrick) - A few reviews feel dated in their social commentary Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (239 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Common reader quote: "Even when you disagree with her takes, Kael's passion for cinema shines through every review." Several reviewers mention this isn't the ideal starting point for new Kael readers, recommending "I Lost It at the Movies" or "5001 Nights at the Movies" as better introductions to her work.

For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies by Pauline Kael This collection spans Kael's entire career at The New Yorker, providing a comprehensive view of film criticism through three decades of cinema history.

The Age of Movies: Selected Writings of Pauline Kael by Pauline Kael The compilation presents Kael's most significant reviews and essays, focusing on transformative periods in American cinema from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Afterglow: A Last Conversation with Pauline Kael by Davis, Francis Through extended interviews, this book illuminates Kael's critical methods, personal history, and relationships with filmmakers and fellow critics.

Movie Love: Complete Reviews 1988-1991 by Pauline Kael The collection captures Kael's final years as a working critic, documenting the evolution of cinema during a period of significant industry change.

Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood by Mark Harris This examination of the 1967 Best Picture nominees tracks the transformation of American cinema that set the stage for the films Kael reviews in When the Lights Go Down.

🎬 Pauline Kael never watched a movie twice before reviewing it, believing first impressions were the most authentic. 📝 The book's title "When the Lights Go Down" became a controversial phrase in film criticism after Richard Brody used it to criticize Kael's influence in a 2012 New Yorker piece. 🎥 During her tenure at The New Yorker (1968-1991), Kael's reviews helped launch the careers of directors like Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman, and Brian De Palma. 🌟 Despite her immense influence, Kael worked briefly in Hollywood only once, as a consultant for Paramount Pictures in 1979, quitting after just five months. 🏆 The period covered in this book (late 1970s) is considered by many film historians as the end of "New Hollywood," a revolutionary era in American filmmaking that began in the late 1960s.