An American Film Critic’s Letter to the Rest of the World, and to the Families of Those Serving in Iraq

As a film critic, it is my job to state opinions based on my education in the art of cinema. In my position, I have often gone against the general consensus or majority in recommending or not recommending a particular film. That’s my right and my opportunity—all films that pass under my inspection are given an equal chance, and all must withstand my often piercing scrutiny. Whether my readers disagree with me or not, the glorious challenge in film criticism for me comes in the knowledge that if I have done my job well, all my readers will walk away with a valid perspective that perhaps they have not considered before.

In my profession, I have often been accused of mixing my own personal political and moral views into my essays. Opponents of this notion seem to think that I have no business revealing my political views, and that I should stick to cinema. But if art is, as I believe, a mirror that enables us to better see and understand ourselves, then it would be an injustice not to include my political and moral positions in my critiques. It is my right, just as it is the right of readers not to agree and the right of filmmakers to make any sort of film that they’d like, whether it matches my standards or not. In the meantime, readers can easily filter through my views and determine whether or not they want to see the films that I write about.

As an American, it is also my job to state opinions based on my education as a citizen of America. Clearly, that means that I will often go against the general consensus or majority (around 52%, by this morning’s count). But that’s the glorious thing about being an American. I have the right to disagree, and hopefully, even those who don’t take to my positions will walk away with a fresh perspective.

I also know when it is time to stop flogging a dead horse. Yesterday (November 2, 2004), driven by my conscience and my own research, I was in the minority of American voters who decided that Senator John Kerry was a better choice for the leader of our country. It is too late to enter into a detailed expose of why I feel George W. Bush and his policies have been a disaster for the United States and its democracy. The research and the perspectives are all readily available to those who are concerned enough to look for them, and my only regret is that enough Americans clearly did not consider the research a priority, or they did not believe what the research revealed. That said, what’s done is done. To jump up and down bitterly and complain as a member of the losing side would perhaps be noble, but it would accomplish nothing. The next four years have already been decided.

With that in mind, it is at least encouraging to know that sans America, I’m actually in the majority. Polls around the world reveal that the overwhelming global opinion seemingly agreed with my choice for the United States president. As they look on with me in slack-jawed amazement at the election results, the primary purpose of this letter is to let them know this: Whatever might come in the next four years of the United States, please remember that not all Americans voted for George W. Bush. Some of us, at least 48%, agreed with the rest of you. We cannot take back what the majority of our American brothers and sisters have decided, but please accept our humblest apologies for not fighting hard enough.

It’s difficult to put into words the feelings that I am experiencing right now. I live in Juneau Alaska, a rain forest used to plenty of mist and white fog, yet today, the clouds are unusually dark and thick, and they almost seem prophetic. As my business is in films, perhaps an example from a movie would be the most appropriate approach. The Great Escape II: The Untold Story was a1988, made-for-television film, and it was mediocre at best. However, it did have one poignant scene that remains with me. The film concerns the same prison camp that Steve McQueen and company escaped from in the original film, but this time, it details the adventures of a new hero, John Dodge (played, perhaps ironically, by Christopher Reeve). Dodge is caught by the Nazis and thinks he faces certain doom, but his hopes revive as one Nazi soldier—a member of the Gestapo—takes Dodge into a car and drops him off at the Switzerland border. “I know that there is little hope for Germany,” the soldier explains, “but there are some of us who know that Hitler is a madman. Please, let Churchill know about us.”

God forbid that I ever suggest that George W. Bush bears any resemblance to Adolph Hitler. But the bottom line is, I know exactly how that good German citizen felt. I do not perceive many good things happening in the next four years of American history, but please understand: There are those of us who know that President Bush is wrong for our country, and we did what we could to remove him from office. I believe that there is little hope for America now, but there are some of us who know that Bush does not offer the answer. I’m letting you know, and I’m washing my hands. Please do not hold us responsible for the blood of those who are dying needlessly in the Middle East, or for the rampant surge of unemployment and uninsured that is currently plaguing the United States.

Well, perhaps that isn’t true. I cannot speak for others who voted for John Kerry and adamantly defended what he stood for, but I do feel like some of the blood is on my hands. In 2000, I was an absentee voter for the state of Florida, and I voted for Bush, hoping that he would make good on his promise that he would unite, not divide. I was let down more than I could ever imagine, and as I watch the fate of our beloved soldiers and yours in Iraq, I cannot help but weep in guilt. I helped put this misguided man in office, and for that, I extend a note of apology to those who have loved ones fighting or who have been killed in the line of duty. I offer my apology to AIDS victims in Africa who have not been given the support that they deserve. I apologize to the citizens of New Zealand, who will no doubt continue to be bullied by the current administration to allow American ships to trespass over your anti-nuclear weapons measure. I apologize to the rest of the world who will no doubt face similar complications and turmoil.

The only appeal I can make to you comes from another film featuring bad history—Braveheart. As Robert the Bruce, wracked with guilt, realizes the sin that he has committed by betraying William Wallace, he utters with stern conviction, “I will never be on the wrong side again.” For what it’s worth, neither will I, and I stand with you, the world, now in watchful prayer, believing that the war is not lost, even if the battle has not ended in our favor. I will never be on the wrong side again. Please forgive me for the consequences of when I was. If I had only known.

This is the last material concerning the election that I intend to write. I do not have to like today’s results, but there is no profit in holding grudges. Both Senator Kerry and President Bush have sung in harmony on one aspect to which I whole-heartedly agree: Now more than ever, America must stand united. I shall accept the defeat of John Kerry in the spirit of democracy. Despite my reservations, I wish President Bush the greatest luck in these next four years. Come what may, he will be in my prayers. So will the rest of the world as it faces whatever he might bring. In the same way, I encourage us all to be united in our prayers, no matter who we lift them up to. One thing is certain: No matter who won the election, today’s world needs all of the prayers that it can get. In the meantime, please forgive me for helping put the world in that situation, and please do not hold all Americans accountable for the flaws of its leaders. There are some of us who understand.

Now: Back to the reel world.

Sincerely and deeply concerned,

Danél Griffin

"Forget? You ask me to forget? A Firefly never forgets. Why, my ancestors would rise from their graves, and I'd only have to bury them again." - Groucho Marx, Duck Soup