The magic meld

All lovers of good films should be delighted that director-producer Joe Roth is throwing himself with such passion into “Freedomland,” a gripping racial drama. But Patrick Goldstein’s article [“Joe Roth Rewrites His Life’s Script,” May 24] appears to say that a filmmaker must make a choice between making commercial junk for the masses or interesting/socially relevant films for tiny audiences.

This is a phony choice. There are many examples of artistically valid and/or socially relevant films that are either so profoundly entertaining or so culturally compelling that the masses feel irresistibly drawn to them. “Saving Private Ryan” is one example. “The Day After Tomorrow” presented serious social issues at the center of a mass-market adventure. Although rare, this is studio moviemaking at its best.

Tucker Parsons

Santa Monica