Roger Ebert Changing Opinions
"A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of life."
- Muhammad Ali, boxer
Sometimes people are afraid to change their opinions. Not only that but people are oftentimes afraid to change course in life, or at least in some aspect of their lives, whether it be career, relationships, or otherwise. But one of the best examples of changing an opinion that I can think of comes from the infamous late film critic Roger Ebert.
Early in his film criticism career, back in 1967, Roger Ebert praised the movie "The Graduate." He gave it four stars out of four, and the world seemed to agree with him. To this day it remains a classic coming-of-age story filled with comedy and taboo acts.
In 1997 "The Graduate" was rereleased for its thirtieth anniversary, and Ebert reviewed it again. This time he was more critical of the movie, giving it three stars out of four. Not bad at all, but not nearly as good as it was originally praised. This time Ebert was a little more critical not only of Benjamin Braddock and most of the rest of the characters, finding them kind of one-dimensional, at least in comparison to Mrs. Robinson, whom he found much more interesting and sympathetic this time around.
Within thirty years of time, Roger Ebert had experienced a lot in life. He got syndicated on television, won a Pulitzer Prize, did some world traveling (oftentimes for a film festival), wrote several books, got married, and last but not least, watched and reviewed thousands upon thousands of movies. So in all likelihood, his life experience within those thirty years informed and changed his world view, and may have changed his opinion on certain things, even a movie he praised highly in his first year on the job.
I think some people are afraid to change their minds and their opinions. But honestly, it's quite natural for people to change their minds every now and then, even on major stuff. Sometimes people change careers and their overall goals in life. Sometimes people leave relationships, even marriages, due to the fact that they truly aren't compatible (or are even toxic to one another). Occasionally people change their minds on even deep-rooted topics, whether it be their political worldview or even converting to another religion. And Roger Ebert seems to be a great example of how it's okay to change your mind.
- Muhammad Ali, boxer
Sometimes people are afraid to change their opinions. Not only that but people are oftentimes afraid to change course in life, or at least in some aspect of their lives, whether it be career, relationships, or otherwise. But one of the best examples of changing an opinion that I can think of comes from the infamous late film critic Roger Ebert.
Early in his film criticism career, back in 1967, Roger Ebert praised the movie "The Graduate." He gave it four stars out of four, and the world seemed to agree with him. To this day it remains a classic coming-of-age story filled with comedy and taboo acts.
In 1997 "The Graduate" was rereleased for its thirtieth anniversary, and Ebert reviewed it again. This time he was more critical of the movie, giving it three stars out of four. Not bad at all, but not nearly as good as it was originally praised. This time Ebert was a little more critical not only of Benjamin Braddock and most of the rest of the characters, finding them kind of one-dimensional, at least in comparison to Mrs. Robinson, whom he found much more interesting and sympathetic this time around.
Within thirty years of time, Roger Ebert had experienced a lot in life. He got syndicated on television, won a Pulitzer Prize, did some world traveling (oftentimes for a film festival), wrote several books, got married, and last but not least, watched and reviewed thousands upon thousands of movies. So in all likelihood, his life experience within those thirty years informed and changed his world view, and may have changed his opinion on certain things, even a movie he praised highly in his first year on the job.
I think some people are afraid to change their minds and their opinions. But honestly, it's quite natural for people to change their minds every now and then, even on major stuff. Sometimes people change careers and their overall goals in life. Sometimes people leave relationships, even marriages, due to the fact that they truly aren't compatible (or are even toxic to one another). Occasionally people change their minds on even deep-rooted topics, whether it be their political worldview or even converting to another religion. And Roger Ebert seems to be a great example of how it's okay to change your mind.
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