Don’t Tell the Surprise

I had not read “The Pelican Brief,” so I did not know about the novel’s ending or any alternative ending (“A ‘Brief’ Flap Over Surprise Ending,” Jan. 6). In regard to critics’ sadistic desire to sometimes reveal too much of the plot or the actual ending, my viewpoint is: In any film with a surprise plot development, no critic at any time has any right to divulge the ending or any point that would destroy the filmgoer’s enjoyment. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Any film critic who violates this rule should forfeit his right to be a critic. That would eliminate at least 20% of the mediocrity, which would be a good thing.

WILLIAM A. DANIELS

Venice