Movie Quote by Roger Ebert
““You know a movie is slow when you start looking to see what time it is. You know it’s awful when you start shaking your watch to see if it has stopped. One””
About This Quote
Source Film Review: Unnamed Film, 1995
A slow, terrible movie makes viewers check the time or watch their watch stop, indicating boredom and frustration.
In simple terms: Bad movies make you watch the clock.
Key Takeaway
Avoid pacing that bores audiences.
Themes
film criticism
audience engagement
storytelling
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
evaluative
educational
When to use this quote
- movie theaters
- home streaming
- film festivals
- editing workshops
- script development
Key Concepts
tempo
boring
watch‑time awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- When does slow pacing serve a purpose?
- How can filmmakers balance tension and patience?
A Different Perspective
Not all slow pacing is bad; some art is intentional.
![“Gene [Siskel] often mentioned something François Truffaut once told him: the most beautiful sight in a movie theater is to walk down to the front, turn around, and look at the light from the screen reflected on the upturned faces of the members of the audience.” quote by Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d8/roger-ebert-655_audience_gene-siskel-often-mentioned-something-fr_61356.jpg)
