Variety has since issued an apology. Maisie Williams, who plays Wolfsbane in the film, tweeted a link to Mendelson’s review with the caption: “Sounds like a must see! Get your tickets now.” Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the last time that McCarthy received a critique of her appearance in a film review. After McCarthy found out the critic had a daughter, she said, “Watch what you say to her,” and asked, “Do you tell her she’s only worthwhile or valid when she’s pretty?” In a 2020 Variety interview, while discussing a time in his life when he read bad reviews, Dornan brought up the oatmeal review, a critique he still remembers well. He said, “Some people like oatmeal, so I thought it was kind of harsh. I remember that stuck with me, and I don’t entirely disagree with it either.” He said of similar bad reviews that he finds them funny and actually “let them drive [him].” A few years later, John Krasinski commented on the New Yorker’s review in an Esquire interview, stating that he never intended for his film to have a political slant. He claims that the film is a metaphor for parenthood. In regards to Samuel L. Jackson’s performance, Scott said his Nick Fury is “more master of ceremonies than mission commander.” This didn’t go over well as Jackson called out Scott on Twitter, suggesting the critic needs a new job. He goes on to say that “there’s no way she’d be an object of heated romantic interest in the real world.” He continues, “Schumer’s wide facial features reminded me of a blonde Lou Costello around the time of Buck Privates, or Jennifer Aniston’s somewhat heavier, not-as-lucky sister who watches a lot of TV.” Kaluuya tells the hosts, “I’d take everyone’s opinion on. I’ll listen to it, but I’m just going, ‘I don’t know why you over everybody else.’” He ends the segment by saying, “It’s just Logan Paul, innit?” She ends the article with, “Men like you and the women who sit idly by and say nothing should know that aiding and abetting is a moral crime, and if it were punished in Hollywood, most of you would be in some form of jail.” The review went on to criticize a particular subplot which, it says, “strays into Fifty Shades territory.” Two years later, at the Television Critics Association, while promoting Big Little Lies, the cast was asked if they’ve ever gotten a review that they felt was sexist. Neither Witherspoon nor Kidman named the publication or critic during the interview. In a tweet directed at Collins-Hughes, the New York Times, and Deputy Editor of Arts & Leisure for the New York Times, Scott Heller, Umphress wrote, “It’s shocking to see a woman body shame an actress who isn’t a size 0 and praise one who is. Her wording wasn’t constructive. It was full on mean girl.” Kermode responded, “Well, I don’t know what to add to that except that I believe my parents have heard me called much worse things than appallingly irritating.”
