How did Robert Hamer rise from passionate reader to staff writer?
Who the hell does this kid think he is?!
I remember thinking that the very first time one of my articles was challenged by a reader named Robert Hamer. I never mind being challenged of course, but it was the way he did it, with such confidence and brashness. I fired back and he fired back and soon I learned that Mr. Hamer knew his stuff. He was a different sort of reader and commentator, one with brains and real knowledge of the cinema which I found out later was almost entirely self-taught. I found when Robert posted something – even if unrelated to me or my writing – I read it with interest, just as I read the other writers writing back to him with their thoughts on his comments. He was provocative, articulate, and opinionated. In other words, everything a good film writer should be. More importantly, though, is that his convictions were strongly held, “While it may not be obvious, I’m fairly open-minded to dissent as long as the arguments are sound and valid. But I make an effort to solidly back up my opinions. If someone challenges one of them, they do have to bring their ‘A-game’ if they hope to persuade me to their point of view.” Read more on Digging Into: Robert Hamer…