I know, we shouldn’t give him any more attention, but the elusiveness of his language (it’s not quite English, but what is it?) is fascinating. Try to pin down meaning, or responsibility, and they just slip away…
Armond White, review of “Mr. Jealousy,” June 3, 1998:
I won’t comment on [Noah] Baumbach’s deliberate, onscreen references to his former film-reviewer mother except to note how her colleagues now shamelessly bestow reviews as belated nursery presents. To others, “Mr. Jealousy” might suggest retroactive abortion.
Armond White, referring to the comment above in a non-review of “Greenberg,” March 17, 2010:
The last line is not Oscar Wilde but it’s also not a death warrant; its impact is in your inference. It clearly points out the clubhouse aspect of Baumbach’s raves, then contrasts natal congratulations with their demurral. No more than that. The abortion quip is easily understood unless your goal is to besmirch another critic and wage a personal attack.
