December 18, 2007
John Harkness, 1954–2007
We’re going to take a break from our usual Torontoist style in this post because the passing of John Harkness, the film critic for Now magazine since its inception in 1981, is something that has particular importance for me. As the writer of Torontoist's weekly “Film Friday” column, which, as you know, very often quotes the reviews from local critics, I have probably quoted John Harkness more than anyone.
There’s a funny story in this, because although in the process of writing the Film Friday column I’ve met and got to know a fair number of Toronto’s critics, I was always too intimidated by John Harkness to ever introduce myself to him (even though I saw him at countless screenings and events). Last week, at the Canada’s Top Ten event, I spotted him chatting with another critic and thought, “Well, might as well introduce myself now, so it doesn’t have to be awkward any more.”
I walked up to him and told him that I was from Torontoist, and that I write the Film Friday column. He said, “Oh, the Torontoist. I’ve heard of you. You seem to be obsessed with me and Jason Anderson.”
A little flummoxed, the only thing I could think of to say was, “Well, I am.”
My introduction to John Harkness didn’t go particularly well, honestly, and if it wasn’t for the fact that, due to circumstance, I will never see him at another screening, it would certainly still be awkward. But I don’t regret telling him I was obsessed with him, because John Harkness was—is—Canada’s most important film critic. In a previous Film Friday, someone asked what there was to respect about a critic, and I said, “The ability to write well and express their opinions in a clear and interesting manner.”
In my humble opinion, that was the very least that John Harkness did.
Born in Montreal, John Harkness grew up in Halifax and Sarnia, and studied under Andrew Sarris in Cinema Studies at Columbia University. As well as writing for Now, John also wrote for publications including Sight And Sound and Take One. He was a huge supporter of the Toronto International Film Festival and Cinematheque Ontario. He was also, we’re told, really, really good at poker.
John Harkness was 53 years old.
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Oh no! No!
I hope Now puts him on the cover of this week's issue.
He never seemed intimidating in his Usenet posts. Not that I ever spoke to the man in person.
Wherever John is, I hope he's hanging out with Jay Scott, and avoiding Joel Siegel.
John was easily one of my favourite things about Toronto. I'm really going to miss reading his reviews.
This hit me really hard. I used to love reading John's posts on the rec.arts.movies.current-films. He (along with Norm Wilner) tended to put all the other posters to shame with his knowledge and wit. I remember thinking it was awesome that he was a Torontonian, too.
I looked up his last recorded post on Usenet. It's kind of morbid. If you ever get a chance, read through some of his other posts on google groups -- he made everything so entertaining.
This was a nice break from the editorial 'we', and I hope it's something we (uh, the rest of us) see more often here. It would certainly cut down on the number of posts from newbies wondering what the hell is going on. I still may not see what there is to respect about movie critics (beyond what you might respect a writer, or any insightful person, for), but I guess Harkness earned it.
(This is the second or third time something I've said has been referenced in a Torontoist post in the last week. Keen.)
Man, this is sad.
Although I'd say he was *the GTA's* most important film critic. Good as he was, his criticism never reached more than 10 km from the Skydome. An informal poll I just took confirmed that he was completely and totally unknown outside the GTA. That's sort of important, you know?
Here here.
I'm a little disturbed to hear John wasn't that well known outside the GTA -- I mean, everyone I know knew him, whether they lived in Vancouver or Ottawa or Halifax, though I suppose the people I know are more likely to know the names of other critics than the average Canadian.
Lovely rememberance, Mathew ... and if this is any comfort to you, I had almost exactly the same experience when I first met John in '89. He wasn't unfriendly, exactly, but if you expressed a knowledge of his work, he kind of challenged you on it ... first to make sure you weren't a sycophant, and then to determine whether you were worthy of conversation.
If he knew who you were, and kept talking to you, it meant he thought you had potential ... I'm sure he would have warmed up after two or three meetings.
Damn. His film reviews will certainly be missed. He was one of the few critics whose opinion I respected, whether I agreed with his rating of a film or not.
NOW just sent out this press release:
It is with great sadness that NOW publishers Michael Hollett and Alice Klein announce the death of NOW’s long-standing senior film writer, John Harkness.
With NOW since its beginning in 1981, Harkness wrote with definitive authority on film, music and books.
Beyond the pages of NOW, John contributed articles to Sight and Sound, Take One and the Cinematheque Ontario program. He also spent several years as trade reporter for Screen International and Cinema Canada. “Anyone who wants to review film,” he said, “should spend a year covering the industry. It tends to knock out a lot of one's illusions about the art of cinema.” His book on the Oscars, The Academy Awards Handbook (Pinnacle Press), is currently in its eighth edition.
His favourite interviews over the years were with the subjects he found most intimidating -- Susan Sontag, David Mamet, Harlan Ellison and Peter Greenaway. "These are people whom you do not want to ask stupid questions,” he once said.
Harkness’s preferred leisure activity was poker, and he won several poker tournaments in Las Vegas.
Harkness was born in Montreal and grew up in Sarnia and Halifax before obtaining a degree in English at Carleton University. He did post-graduate work in cinema studies at Columbia University, where he studied with the American critic Andrew Sarris and spent a great deal of time in New York's repertory cinemas. “Fifteen movies a week,” he recalled, “and none of them on tape.”
“John Harkness was simply the best film critic in Canada over the last 26 years,” says NOW editor/publisher Michael Hollett. “He has been an essential element of NOW Magazine’s success, and his unique vision, bravery and art in expressing it inspired all of us at NOW to strive. He will be sorely missed by all of us at NOW, his family, friends and the film community as a whole.”
Funeral and memorial details are pending.
Harkness was an excellent and occasionally infuriating film reviewer; he will be missed. I always thought that he and the writer L.A. Morse were the same guy.
John was very, very well known in the poker community, especially RGP and we are all so very heartbroken over this news. RIP John and our love and prayers to his family and loved ones.
There is a really lovely piece on Now's website. I haven't checked the magazine yet so it might be in there too.
http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/upfront.cfm?content=161055