The Last Critic

Sunday, August 2 – 2pm
Tickets

Documentary • USA • 2026 • 83 Minutes
Director: Matty Wishnow
Cast: Robert Christgau, Carola Dibbell, Thurston Moore, Boots Riley, Randy Newman, Colson Whitehead, Ann Powers, Joe Levy, Amanda Petrusich, Greil Marcus

Sixty years & a million records ago, Robert Christgau invented Rock music criticism. Anyone who has ever read or written a Pop music review has been influenced by Christgau, who canonized legends from The Ramones to Public Enemy & infuriated icons from Lou Reed to Billy Joel. Now in his eighties, Bob is still at it—amazingly with the same vigor, wit, concision and craft that has defined his expansive career. But in a world where albums are irrelevant, where print is dead & where algorithms have eclipsed critics we are forced to ask: What happens next—for Bob, but also for all music criticism? Is this the end of something? Is Robert Christgau the last critic?

Nat’s Note: If there’s any person in any of the films playing at this year’s CineSonic that I relate to, it’s Bob. The filmmakers noted that their filming days had some time limitations, because he would get antsy to listen to new music, and start writing some reviews. I am similarly antsy spending the time building these webpages, and designing the poster, and posting on social media, because I could be watching more films, and choosing what to show.

Producers: Paul Lovelace, Ben Wu, Joe Levy
Editors: Paul Lovelace
Cinematographer: Ben Wu
Music: Carmen Elle

Festivals: SXSW, Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Big Ears