Versatile Howard

Kenneth TURAN is surprised that Ron Howard directed the dark “The Missing” (“Flesh-and-Blood Fury in ‘The Missing,’ ” Nov. 26). Why? Howard has already established himself as one of the most versatile movie-makers working today.

One of the mistakes the movie business makes is to pigeonhole talent (“she writes comedy”; “he directs horror”). Howard (working with equally talented writers like Ken Kaufman) is a good storyteller, and there are many stories to tell and a lot of ways to tell them.

Thanks to the freedom he has earned, Howard is able to direct in different genres and thus consistently demonstrates what movie-makers can accomplish if given the opportunity. This should surprise no one.

J.B. White

Ojai