Manny Farber Quotes

Powerful Manny Farber for Daily Growth

About Manny Farber

Manny Farber (May 16, 1917 – August 30, 2008) was an influential American film critic, screenwriter, and painter, known for his unique and insightful approach to cinema analysis. Born in New York City to Jewish immigrants from Russia, Farber developed a keen interest in art and film at an early age. He attended the City College of New York, where he studied painting and philosophy. Farber's career as a film critic began in the 1940s when he started writing for various publications including 'The Nation', 'Commentary', and 'Sight and Sound'. His most notable work, however, was his partnership with his brother, film critic and director, Barbara Farber, on the influential magazine 'Irrational Man' (1949-1952). Here, they coined the term "Anti-illusionism" to describe a style of filmmaking that sought to break away from traditional Hollywood narratives. In 1962, Farber published his seminal work, 'Negative Space: Manny Farber on Filmmaking', a collection of essays that explored the complexities of American cinema, focusing on directors like Samuel Fuller, Orson Welles, and Nicholas Ray. His approach to film analysis was characterized by his focus on visual style, thematic depth, and emotional resonance, rather than plot or narrative structure. In addition to his work in criticism, Farber also wrote screenplays for films such as 'The Big Knife' (1955) and 'Roger Corman's The Terror' (1963). He continued writing and teaching until his death in 2008. His impact on film criticism is still felt today, with many contemporary critics citing him as a major influence. Farber's work remains a cornerstone of American film criticism, offering unique insights into the art of cinema and its potential for artistic expression.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The Deep Focus Movie is a way of life."

Manny Farber's statement, "The Deep Focus Movie is a way of life," suggests that deep focus cinematography in filmmaking is not just a technique but a profound philosophical perspective. It implies that the careful composition and attention to detail in every part of the frame reflects a broader aesthetic commitment to capturing reality with authenticity and depth. In essence, the art of deep focus filmmaking is an embodiment of the filmmaker's worldview, encompassing their pursuit of truth, beauty, and meaning in both the visual and thematic aspects of cinema.

"In movies, plot is king; the rest are just details."

This quote emphasizes the crucial role of plot in filmmaking. Plot here refers to the sequence of events that form a narrative structure, driving the story forward and engaging the audience. According to Manny Farber, all other elements - such as characters, setting, style, or technique - are secondary; they serve merely as details that enrich and contextualize the plot. Simply put, without a compelling plot, even the most beautifully crafted film can fail to captivate audiences.

"Style is a big secret, it's something you either have or don't have."

Manny Farber's quote emphasizes that style is an inherent trait, a personal signature in one's work, which cannot be taught or learned easily. It suggests that some individuals naturally possess a distinctive approach, technique, or aesthetic quality (style) that sets them apart from others. This unique perspective can significantly contribute to the impact and value of their creations, making it a "big secret" as it may not always be immediately apparent or replicable by others.

"If a movie looks like something, it is."

This quote by Manny Farber emphasizes the importance of visual representation in cinema. In essence, he suggests that a film's aesthetic style can significantly influence our perception of its content or meaning. If a movie resembles a particular genre, theme, or mood through its visual presentation, it is likely to be perceived and categorized accordingly by audiences. Therefore, the visual language used in filmmaking plays a crucial role in shaping audience understanding and interpretation of the cinematic narrative.

"The White Elephant is a picture that tries to be all things to all people and ends up pleasing nobody."

Manny Farber's quote "The White Elephant is a picture that tries to be all things to all people and ends up pleasing nobody" suggests that an artwork striving for universal appeal, attempting to cater to every taste or expectation, often fails to connect deeply with any audience due to its lack of focus or authenticity. Such artworks may appear superficial and lack the originality and passion needed to resonate strongly with viewers, leading to indifference rather than engagement.

Orson Welles's second 'I-did-it' should show once and for all that film making, radio and the stage are three different guys better kept separated. 'The Magnificent Ambersons' is one of those versions of the richest family in town during the good old days.

- Manny Farber

Three, Show, Magnificent, Separated

The new Disney cartoon 'Bambi' is interesting because it's the first one that's been entirely unpleasant.

- Manny Farber

New, Cartoon, Been, Bambi

'Sunset Boulevard' - the story of Hollywood movies draped on a depressing sex affair - is an uncompromising study of American decadence displaying a sad, worn, methodical beauty few films have had since the late twenties.

- Manny Farber

Study, Hollywood, Boulevard, Displaying

A peculiar fact about termite-tapeworm-fungus-moss art is that it goes always forward, eating its own boundaries, and, likely as not, leaves nothing in its path other than the signs of eager, industrious, unkempt activity.

- Manny Farber

Art, Always, Likely, Peculiar

'From Here to Eternity' happens to be fourteen-carat entertainment. The main trouble is that it is too entertaining for a film in which love affairs flounder, one sweet guy is beaten to death, and a man of high principles is mistaken for a saboteur and killed on a golf course.

- Manny Farber

Love, Here, Entertaining, Affairs

Actually, what will be shown from here to eternity will be Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr cavorting on the beach. 'From Here to Eternity' must have seemed like a chore to its director, Fred Zinnemann.

- Manny Farber

Will, Here, Eternity, Chore

Frank Capra, Hollywood's Horatio Alger, lights with more cinematic know-how and zeal than any other director to convince movie audiences that American life is exactly like the 'Saturday Evening Post' covers of Norman Rockwell. 'It's A Wonderful Life,' the latest example of Capracorn, shows his art at a hysterical pitch.

- Manny Farber

Other, Saturday, Frank, Norman

Capra is an old-time movie craftsman, the master of every trick in the bag, and in many ways he is more at home with the medium than any other Hollywood director. But all of his details give the impression of contrived effect.

- Manny Farber

Hollywood, Movie, Other, Old-Time

'The Big Sleep' is an unsentimental, surrealist excitement in which most of the men in Hollywood's underworld are murdered and most of the women go for an honest but not unwilling private sleuth (Humphrey Bogart).

- Manny Farber

Big, Private, Which, Underworld

The cold, mean 'Sunset Boulevard' - a beautiful title, though I suspect it was shot on another boulevard - is further proof of the resurgence of art in the Hollywood of super-craftsmen with insuperable taste.

- Manny Farber

Art, Resurgence, Boulevard, Suspect

'Henry V' is a great deal more than almost any other hell-bent-for-armor movie that you've seen.

- Manny Farber

Deal, Movie, Other, Great Deal

Before seeing 'The Pride of the Yankees,' you may or may not know that the Yankees referred to are the ones who win the World Series each year. After seeing it you will find that the reference is indirect.

- Manny Farber

May, Before, Indirect, Yankees

One of the fine moments in 1940s film is no longer than a blink: Bogart, as he crosses the street from one bookstore to another, looks up at a sign.

- Manny Farber

Another, Sign, 1940s, Crosses

'The Big Sleep' would have been a more effective study of nightmarish existence had the detective been more complicated and had more curiosity been shown about his sweetheart's relation to the crime.

- Manny Farber

Big, Study, Been, Detective

The story of Warner Brothers' movie, 'Mildred Pierce,' recounts the enormous and unrewarded sacrifices that a mother (Joan Crawford) makes for her spoiled, greedy daughter (Ann Blythe).

- Manny Farber

Movie, Sacrifices, Joan, Greedy

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