Film critic Rex Reed really didn’t like this weekend’s new release Identity Theft starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman. Reed, a critic for The New York Observer slammed the film and its star.
In his review, Reed called McCarthy “tractor sized,” “hippo” and “obese.” He went on to say, “Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) is a gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success. Poor Jason Bateman. How did an actor so charming, talented, attractive and versatile get stuck in so much dreck?”
In the film, Bateman plays Sandy Patterson, a businessman who travels to Miami to find the person responsible for stealing his identity. He finds her, a con artist named Diana, played by McCarthy. The two set out on a wild cross-country adventure to escape criminals who are also chasing Diana… apparently, hilarity does not ensue. Critical reviews for the film have not been kind (according to Rotten Tomatoes 24% of critics liked the film while 74% of audiences found it enjoyable), but this is the first to attack one of the stars personally. Some reviews have panned the movie but praised McCarthy and her performance as its saving grace. The New York Times calls McCarthy “the movie’s bliss.”
McCarthy, who was nominated for an Academy Award last year for her performance in Bridesmaids and is currently starring in a successful sitcom, Mike and Molly, has not responded to Reed’s blistering criticism. It’s likely she isn’t too worried about it, last year she told Good Housekeeping “Sometimes I wish I were just magically a size 6 and I never had to give it a single thought. But I am weirdly healthy, so I don’t beat myself up about it — it wouldn’t help, and I don’t want to pass that on to my girls. (McCarthy has 2 young daughters) You just have to say, ‘It’s pretty damn good. I am right here at the moment and I’m OK with it. I’ve got other things to think about.'” McCarthy has 3 other films set for release this year; I doubt The Observer will be receiving copies to review.
But in a surprising twist, another McCarthy has come to Melissa’s rescue: Jenny McCarthy!!
Jenny told E! News: “That’s obnoxious in itself. For anyone to attack like that, it’s just wrong and hurtful, and it doesn’t do anyone any good.” Jenny added, “[Melissa is a] very very talented and people know that, so… He can go to hell.”
Reed has since clarified his comments in an interview with WOR 710’s Mark Simone. “My point was that I object to using health issues like obesity as comic talking points. She is basing her career on being obnoxious and being overweight. And I don’t think that’s funny.
“I have too many friends that have died of obesity-related illnesses, heart problems and diabetes, and I have actually lost friends to this… I don’t care how much she weighs. I don’t care how much Melissa McCarthy weighs. She wants to be fat? She’s crying all the way to the bank.”