It's been a rough week for Roger Ebert. First, he left the show he's worked on for 33 years. Now the new Will Ferrell comedy, Step Brothers, seems to have triggered a bout of existential torment for the jovial uncle of American film criticism. In the midst of a miserable review of Step Brothers, Ebert issues a sudden and desperate cri de coeur:

Sometimes I think I am living in a nightmare. All about me, standards are collapsing, manners are evaporating, people show no respect for themselves. I am not a moralistic nut. I'm proud of the X-rated movie I once wrote. I like vulgarity if it's funny or serves a purpose. But what is going on here?

Even sadder is the defeated shrug that follows this outburst: "Back to the movie. I suppose it will be a success." Could someone give poor Roger Ebert a hug?

Step Brothers [Chicago Sun-Times]

Earlier: Ebert and Roeper Leaving 'Ebert & Roeper'