Gerald Peary Reflects on a Life in Film Criticism

The veteran Boston film critic celebrates his memoir and a Brattle Theatre double feature from his childhood.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:10am

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Gerald Peary, the dean of Boston film critics, has published a memoir titled 'A Reluctant Film Critic' that looks back on his storied career reviewing movies for publications like The Real Paper, The Boston Globe, and The Boston Phoenix. To mark the occasion, Peary will host a special double feature screening of two films from his childhood, 'Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein' and 'The Boy With Green Hair,' at the iconic Brattle Theatre in Cambridge.

Why it matters

Peary's memoir and the Brattle event provide a unique window into the life and development of one of Boston's most influential and long-standing film critics. As the media landscape has shifted, Peary's story offers insights into the challenges and joys of pursuing a career in arts criticism, especially for those just starting out.

The details

Peary began his film criticism career in 1978 with The Real Paper, going on to write for The Boston Globe, The Boston Phoenix, and currently The Arts Fuse. Over the decades, he has interviewed legendary filmmakers like Agnès Varda, Akira Kurosawa, John Waters, and Mel Brooks, and has authored or edited 10 books on cinema. His new memoir, 'A Reluctant Film Critic,' delves into his own life story, including vivid memories of his childhood in Cambridge and West Virginia that helped shape his cinematic sensibilities.

  • Peary started writing his memoir in 1986 while at an arts colony in Canada.
  • Peary will host the double feature at the Brattle Theatre on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Gerald Peary

An 81-year-old film critic who has written for publications like The Real Paper, The Boston Globe, The Boston Phoenix, and The Arts Fuse over his decades-long career. He has authored or edited 10 books on cinema and is celebrating the release of his memoir, 'A Reluctant Film Critic.'

The Brattle Theatre

An iconic independent cinema in Cambridge, Massachusetts that has been a hub for film culture in the Boston area for decades.

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What they’re saying

“I was so scared that my hair would turn green that I had nightmares for weeks and weeks and weeks!”

— Gerald Peary, Film Critic

“The charm of the Brattle is that it will always look the same and feel the same and smell the same.”

— Gerald Peary, Film Critic

What’s next

Peary's memoir 'A Reluctant Film Critic' is available now, and the double feature screening at the Brattle Theatre will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The takeaway

Gerald Peary's life story and career as one of Boston's most respected film critics offers a unique perspective on the evolution of arts journalism and the enduring power of cinema to shape individual experiences and sensibilities.