Bandwagon effect

Bravo, Mr. Farber (“True knockouts need an emotional punch,” Feb. 9)! Having read “The Hours,” I thought it an interesting and pleasant book, but hardly worthy of the Pulitzer. Now, after seeing the film and hearing the critics rave, I believe we are witnessing the same bandwagon reaction. Do these “experts” harbor a fear of not appearing to be intellectuals? Is this what compels some critics (and some audiences) to laud films they probably feel are actually rather boring?

Naomi Z. Feldman

Los Angeles