Wise words from James Gunn.
To many film fans, Kevin Smith holds a special place in their hearts because the director of Mallrats and Chasing Amy personified the attitude of ‘do it yourself” filmmaking with his brilliant feature-length debut, Clerks.
Aside from being a brilliant comedy, there’s something aspirational about Smith’s debut because his bravery and courage to self-finance the entire production inspired a generation of directors to dream big.
At the moment, Smith is recovering from a massive heart attack that nearly killed him.
Tweeting from his hospital bed, he wrote: “After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack. The Doctor who saved my life told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (aka “the Widow-Maker”). If I hadn’t canceled show 2 to go to the hospital, I would’ve died tonight. But for now, I’m still above ground!”
After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack. The Doctor who saved my life told me I had 100% blockage of my LAD artery (aka “the Widow-Maker”). If I hadn’t canceled show 2 to go to the hospital, I would’ve died tonight. But for now, I’m still above ground! pic.twitter.com/M5gSnW9E5h
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) February 26, 2018
One of the many people who wished Smith a speedy recovery was the star of Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt.
Taking to Twitter, Pratt said: “Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and I’m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer.”
Granted, that’s what Pratt believes and regardless of your religious beliefs, the actor is entitled to express his opinion. This being said, plenty of people were quick to criticise Pratt for what they perceived as hollow words and an empty gesture.
A scan through Pratt’s timeline also shows some people that equated his words with those of various US politicians who sent prayers and thoughts to the survivors of the recent high school shootings. The same politicians who refused to to enforce changes to gun control laws.
Kevin we don’t know each other too good but I have loved you since Clerks and I’m praying my ass off for you cause I believe in the healing power of prayer. Can you please pray with me people!? 🙏♥️ https://t.co/syB7BiQaoY
— Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) February 26, 2018
Praying for you. I will continue to. You inspired me with Clerks when I was a senior HS. I’m tagging my Lb/rb football coach who showed me the movie cause he believed in me and knew I’d be inspired. @hodge1916 🙏♥️🙏 https://t.co/syB7BiQaoY
— Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt) February 26, 2018
That's cool and everything but Doctors and nurses save lives not prayer.
— Retro Bigfoot (@RetroBigfoot) February 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/skepticalthinka/status/968233015687237633
After becoming aware of this backlash, the director of Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn, offered his view on the whole ‘thoughts and prayers’ situation.
It’s hard to argue with his logic.
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136822927671298
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136827214348290
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136834856337408
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136838572515328
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/968136845006524417
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