maleghasty

As a 'film buff' I have often been surprised to have people say that they don't know who I mean when I have in the past waxed lyrical about the talent and vision of Sydney Pollack. His most recent film, "Michael Clayton", was my pick for the best film of last year, and I am genuinely saddened to discover that it will also be his last, as he died today. His obituary on the BBC website makes for a good read, and includes a fabulous quote to finish:

"Pollack's determination to tackle social issues, coupled with his political and romantic sensibilities, made his films some of the most respected of the late-1960s through to the 1980s.

But the execution of his art was not without its frustrations.

"Every time I am directing, I question why in God's name I'm doing it again," he told Entertainment Weekly in 2005.

"It's like hitting yourself in the forehead with a hammer." "

You can read the whole thing here.

R.I.P. Sydney, thanks for the movies; they were great.