Pauline Kael

Pauline Kael

Deceased · Born: Jul 19, 1919 · Died: Sep 3, 2001

2018
2014

Personal Details

BornJul 19, 1919 Petaluma, California, USA
Spouse
  • Edward Landberg

    ( Dec 22, 1955 to Apr 7, 1959 )
  • Lionel James

    ( May 10, 2025 to May 10, 2025 )
Parents
  • Isaac Paul Kael
  • Judith Friedman
Relatives
  • William James Friedman (Grandchild)

Biography

Pauline Kael, a celebrated American film critic, spent a significant portion of her illustrious career crafting perceptive and intellectually stimulating film reviews for The New Yorker, a renowned publication, from 1968 to 1991.

Her unique writing style, marked by its clever, biting, highly opinionated, and sharply focused nature, consistently generated intense reactions from her readers and contemporaries alike.

Throughout her tenure at The New Yorker, Kael's reviews became a staple of the publication, offering readers a candid and often provocative assessment of the latest cinematic releases.

Her distinctive voice, which blended wit, intellectual curiosity, and a keen analytical mind, set her apart from other film critics of her time.

Kael's contributions to the world of film criticism were nothing short of remarkable, as she brought a level of sophistication and erudition to the field that was unparalleled at the time.

As a result, her reviews often sparked lively debates and discussions, both within the film industry and among her devoted readership.

Despite the strong reactions her reviews often elicited, Kael remained a fearless and unapologetic advocate for her opinions, earning her a reputation as one of the most respected and influential film critics of her era.

Career

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2024
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2019
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2014
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2013
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2009