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I Hate to Be the Bearer of Bad Reviews

Mar 14, 2006 7:26 PM
Tags: film, humor, poll

So, a few months back, someone promoting a film offered to send me a DVD if I agreed to review it and thereby spread the word.

I readily agreed.

I recently got said DVD and — even though it was a mere 80 minutes — could barely make it through a single viewing. It was painfully bad.

But I'm flattered that someone thought that my opinion was worth the printing, packaging and postage for a DVD.

So what should I do?

Please vote:


Comments: I Hate to Be the Bearer of Bad Reviews

Another option would be to email the guy and tell them you didn't like it, but that you don't feel compelled to give it a review, since it will be a bad review. So, they can choose a bad review (no such thing as bad publicity?) or just skip it.

Posted by: Ian Bicking on March 14, 2006 8:30 PM | permalink

Yeah I guess the nicest option is ask them which they prefer..

Posted by: Jay Smooth on March 14, 2006 8:35 PM | permalink

I had a similar thing happen to me - I published a pretty positive book review and the author contacted me offering to send me his new book if I reviewed it. I said sure and of course it stunk. I chose not to review it and sold it on Amazon. :-) I do agree with Ian's approach though.

Posted by: john on March 14, 2006 8:44 PM | permalink

All interesting ideas ... geez, what a random topic to generate comments.

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on March 14, 2006 9:00 PM | permalink

Ian's option is probably best - just let them know that you watched it, didn't like it, and don't feel it necessary to write up a bad review.

Posted by: Nicardo Autobahn on March 14, 2006 10:42 PM | permalink

By agreeing to do something in exchange for something else, you have entered into a contract. From a contract-law point of view, you are now obliged to write the review.

a) Was it specified in the contract - implicitly or explicitly - that it would be a positive review?

b) Being a verbal agreement, you probably have enough wiggle-room to welsh on the deal, or at least you did, until you told the whole world about it on your blog. (Not an option a libertarian could take, though.)

c) A contract can be dissolved if both parties agree to that.

Posted by: Alan Green on March 15, 2006 2:33 PM | permalink

Alan:

a) not at all, though she did ask if I would post a press release (ha!)
b/c) I asked her about it; if she doesn't want to dissolve the contract, I'll proceed with the review

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on March 15, 2006 3:05 PM | permalink

Woohoo! Am looking forward to the review already. If it comes to it, would you be able to post the review without naming the movie?

:)

Posted by: Alan Green on March 15, 2006 10:24 PM | permalink

I'd go with reviewing it in glowing yet subversive quotes.

"Such mastery of content is poignant and unnerving"

"An emotional rollercoaster ride you'll wish you had the guts to get off"

ect

Posted by: Colin Dowell on March 16, 2006 12:33 PM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.