Robert Christgau: Still Grading Music at 83

The documentary "The Last Critic" offers a portrait of Robert Christgau, the acclaimed music writer who established rock criticism as a significant field. Born in 1942, Christgau began his career as a journalist before launching his influential "Consumer Guide" in 1969, a series of capsule reviews with letter grades for new rock albums.

Christgau's distinctive writing style and his self-proclaimed title of "dean of American rock critics" made him a prominent figure. His work, particularly at The Village Voice, was characterized by insightful prose and a unique grading system. The film revisits him at 83, still actively writing his monthly reviews on Substack from his East Village apartment.

The documentary highlights Christgau's lifelong dedication to music criticism, examining his organized approach to his extensive collection of music and books. It also touches upon his contentious yet influential editorial past and his belief in a structured system for evaluating music.

Featuring testimonials from fellow critics, "The Last Critic" also delves into Christgau's relationships with peers like Greil Marcus. The film explores his critical perspective, including his acknowledged biases, particularly his reservations about "pop" music, a stance that contrasted with many of his contemporaries.