Bully Alert: Film Critic Rex Reed Calls Melissa McCarthy A “Hippo” and “Tractor-Sized”

February 9, 2013

Bully Alert: Film Critic Rex Reed Calls Melissa McCarthy A "Hippo" and "Tractor-Sized"

So I guess film critic Rex Reed didn't like the movie Identity Thief starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Batemen.  And it's quite safe to say he is no fan of the Academy Award nominee Mike and Molly actress.  In a scathing review in the New York Observer, Reed seems to have crossed the line with his personal attacks on McCarthy calling her cacophonous, a female hippo, and tractor-sized.

McCarthy's character in the movie, Sandy Patterson, didn't fair well either.  According to Reed, Sandy is a "screeching, humongous creep."  Reed went on to say McCarthy was a "gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success."

Wow, don't hold anything back Mr. Reed!  The 74-year-old famous critic's tacky review has stirred up some controversy with readers who responded online calling him fat-phobic, vile, offensive, a misogynist, and choice words that I won't repeat.   Perhaps that's exactly what Reed was looking for...a little controversy does the wallet good.

"I'd be interested to know if Mr. Reed has referred to John Goodman as a "hippo" or "tractor-sized" in his reviews of that male actor's movies?" Wrote reader Robert McCoy.

Good point McCoy!  I wonder about that too.

Reed goes on further to call Identity Thief a trashy "chunk of junk. "

"Poor Jason Bateman. How did an actor so charming, talented, attractive and versatile get stuck in so much dreck?" Reed wrote.

So there it is.  Rex Reed is most certainly a Jason Bateman fan but clearly not in McCarthy's corner. You have to wonder what is really behind the words Reed chose to write.

McCarthy, a mother of two daughters, has openly talked about her weight issues.  In an interview with Good Housekeeping last fall, McCarthy, 42, said, "Sometimes I wish I were just magically a size six and I never had to give [my weight] a single thought."

Her comment is one that many men and women in this world can relate to.

So here's my message to Mr. Reed:  Stop being a bully! Critique the movie, even critique the characters in the plot.  That's your job.  Personal name calling and fat-shaming only reflects poorly on the writer.  Some words hurt and should never be written.

Identity Thief was released in theaters today.

What do you think about Rex Reed's personal attack on Melissa McCarthy?  Share your comments below!

 DID YOU KNOW?

Actress Melissa McCarthy is the first cousin of actress Jenny McCarthy.

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