Problem Is on Paper

This letter is a response to the article about the film “Disturbing Behavior� (“When Buzz and Test Scores Aren’t Good,� by Patrick Goldstein, Sept. 18). I am a film writer and director, having co-created the “Child’s Play� series.

Having been involved in the production of four films, both as writer and director, I don’t like the National Research Group. I find screenings to be horrible, painful, scary events. But I must admit, the input I have received on screenings was dead on; it made the films play better and ultimately perform better. No one likes to receive bad news about their “baby,� but to be honest, some of them are born ugly.

The real problem with “Disturbing Behavior� lies not in the direction or editing--it’s in the script. I read it before production. It was terrible then and it’s terrible now. It wasn’t scary, moving or suspenseful on paper and it isn’t on film. No amount of “massaging� the celluloid would make any difference.

Let’s get back to the old but truthful axiom, “If it’s not on the page, it’s not on the stage.� The real mistake MGM made on this film was greenlighting the script in the first place. That’s where the blame lies. Executives need to accept the responsibility for their choices--just like the rest of us.

JOHN LAFIA

Los Angeles