"I love when someone proudly calls anything remotely intelligent "overly clever," "showing off," or "elitist," as though they feel their values reflect "the common man" rather than those nose in the air intellectuals.
It's become strangely popular, this loudly vocal condemnation of intelligence."
I don't condemn intelligence, if you're referring to me. Logic and intelligence and cleverness are things I prize about most things. I'm sure a lot of people would call me an elitist. But the most clever and intelligent work to me is work that doesn't feel like it's trying to say LOOK AT ME, LOOK HOW CLEVER I CAN BE! There's a difference between being smart and being a show-off. To me, Matilda is more about proving how intelligent it is and about cramming every possible little trick into every single moment and I think in trying to put in so much, you lose focus on the truly smart and heartfelt moments in the show and the score. There is a such thing as a quiet intelligence that does not put neon lights above itself.
And I don't think any of my praise of Kinky Boots was because it was unintelligent, since when does writing a catchy pop hook not require smarts and talent? If it didn't require something most people don't have, everyone would be able to live off royalties from a one hit wonder forever.
"Get mad, then get over it." - Colin Powell