A. O. Scott
American film and literary critic for The New York Times.
Anthony Oliver Scott, born July 10, 1966, in Northampton, Massachusetts, is an American journalist and cultural critic whose work has focused on film and literature. He began his career as an assistant to Robert B. Silvers at The New York Review of Books, later reviewing books for Newsday and television for Variety under the name Tony Scott, while also contributing to Slate. In January 2000, he joined The New York Times’ Arts section after Janet Maslin retired from film criticism, and in 2004 he became the paper’s chief film critic, sharing that title with Manohla Dargis. In 2023, he left film criticism to join The New York Times Book Review.
Scott grew up in a family of academics: his mother, Joan Wallach Scott, is a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and his father, Donald Scott, taught American history at the City University of New York. He is a great nephew of actors Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. After attending public schools in Providence, Rhode Island, including Classical High School, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1988 with a degree in literature. He credits a teenage trip to Paris with his mother—where he spent afternoons in independent theaters on the Left Bank watching old American movies—as a decisive period that set him on the path to film criticism.
At The New York Times, Scott co-hosted a video podcast called Critics’ Picks. In March 2020, he took a one-year break from his chief critic role to become a critic at large, writing broader essays. He recalls starting at the paper during what he considers a high point for film, citing 1999 as a standout year with works like *Three Kings* and *Magnolia*. His mission, he says, was to connect movies with audiences and encourage readers to take chances on films they might not otherwise consider, even acknowledging the challenge of defending a film like *Freddy Got Fingered* to Times readers. In 2016, he published *Better Living Through Criticism*, and in 2017, he and Dargis compiled a list of the best films of the twenty-first century so far.
Reflecting on his career, Scott describes movies as part of his dream life and education, from his first traumatic encounter with the flying monkeys in *The Wizard of Oz* to his admiration for Studio Ghibli and Pixar. He notes that the practice of criticism has become harder over time, with a growing sense of discon
- born
- July 10, 1966
- field
- Film and literary criticism
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Chief film critic at The New York Times
Lore & Background
Scott was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, to two professors. His mother, Joan Wallach Scott, is a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, and his father, Donald Scott, taught American history at the City University of New York. He is a great nephew of actors Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson. He attended public schools in Providence, Rhode Island, and graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1988 with a degree in literature. He credits a teenage stay in Paris, where he frequented independent movie theaters, as setting him on the path to film criticism.
Scott began his career as an assistant at The New York Review of Books, then worked as a book critic for Newsday and a television reviewer for Variety. He joined The New York Times in 2000, became chief film critic in 2004, and co-hosted the video podcast Critics' Picks. In 2023, he left film criticism to join The New York Times Book Review. He also served as a guest critic on Ebert & Roeper and co-hosted At the Movies for one season. He taught film criticism at Wesleyan University.
Reader's Guide
A. O. Scott's significance lies in his long tenure as a leading film critic at The New York Times, where he shaped critical discourse on cinema from 2000 to 2023. He championed independent and international films, compiling annual best-of lists that highlighted works such as Yi Yi, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and Moonlight. His 2016 book Better Living Through Criticism explored the role of the critic. Scott's move to the Book Review in 2023 marked a shift in his career, reflecting his broader engagement with culture. His legacy includes co-creating a list of the best films of the 21st century and influencing how audiences connect with movies, though he expressed concern about the growing divide between critics and audiences in the age of fan culture.
Did You Know?
- Scott is a great nephew of actors Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson.
- He spent a formative period in Paris at age 15, watching old American movies in independent theaters.
- He used the name Tony Scott when writing television reviews for Variety in 1993.
- His 2009 favorite films include La Dolce Vita, The Godfather, and Sullivan's Travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is A. O. Scott?
Anthony Oliver Scott is an American cultural critic born on July 10, 1966, in Northampton, Massachusetts, best known for his long career reviewing film and literature. He is most widely recognized as the former chief film critic at The New York Times.
What is A. O. Scott's role in journalism?
He works as a film and literary critic, specializing in reviewing cinema and books for major publications. From 2004 until 2023 he held the title of chief film critic at The New York Times, a role he shared with Manohla Dargis.
How did A. O. Scott start his career?
He began as an assistant to editor Robert B. Silvers at The New York Review of Books before transitioning into reviewing work. He went on to write book reviews for Newsday, television reviews for Variety under the byline Tony Scott, and essays for Slate.
Why is A. O. Scott important to film criticism?
His reviews at one of the nation's most read newspapers gave him a platform that shaped how millions of readers discussed and discovered cinema over more than two decades. His voice became a defining presence in American film discourse during that era.
What happened to A. O. Scott in 2023?
He departed from his position as The New York Times' chief film critic, bringing to a close a twenty-three-year stretch in that role that had begun when he joined the paper's Arts section in January 2000.
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