JAWS fans' reactions to Richard Dreyfuss trashing The Shark Is Broken

Whether it is in Edinburgh, London's West End or its current (show me the way to go) home on Broadway, The Shark Is Broken - in part based on the diaries of Quint actor Robert Shaw - has been capturing the hearts and mind of JAWS fans.

Not so thrilled with it - particularly his portrayal in this fictionalised account of the making of JAWS is Matt Hooper actor Richard Dreyfuss, the only surviving original main cast member.

Dreyfuss called the play - starring and written by Ian Shaw the son of Robert and was co-written by Joesph Nixon - hurtful.

JAWS fans were out in force to give the JAWS legend some better suggestions on what he could do with his thoughts about the play.

Dave Burns on Facebook said: Given Richard's negative (and somewhat petty) response to the play, his character's behaviour within the play seems to be a pretty accurate portrayal.

Bradley Bjornstad on Twitter, commented: 

This is something that has been mentioned for YEARS (decades*), including things Dreyfuss has said himself. I get the human nature of wanting to temper the story over time to try to make everything look better or smoother. But in my mind, he’s trying for revisionist history here.

Steve Tracy on Facebook, added: 

Dreyfuss is known to be difficult to work with and has consistently come across as a self-absorbed, righteous jerk in pretty much every interview he’s ever been in. He is beloved for his role of Hooper, despite his real-life flaws. Instead of downplaying his perceived negative portrayal in the play (I saw it and disagree that Dreyfuss was played as anything but himself), he seems doomed to finish his legacy on a down note. Which is consistent with how he has treated his own image for the last few decades. No one will tell you more what a great guy and actor he is than Dreyfuss himself.

Ouch! Whilst Todd Fredericks on Facebook, could see why Dreyfuss was justifiably irked by the writing and portrayal on stage, saying: 

He has a right to vent about it. He was there. How much would Ian Shaw really know from that time period? His father (sadly) passed away in the 70's. How many in depth discussions would he have had with his young son about making the film?

Taking a more measured view of the head, the tail, the whole damn thing was Katsina Brown on Facebook.

 I’ve read he’s hard to work with. It doesn’t matter. The movie stays the same, and that’s what we love.

And it was the same with Jerry Pearson Jr, also on Facebook.

I thoroughly enjoyed the play, came away with a renewed respect for each of the actors, including Dreyfuss. I'm sure each actor's eccentricities were heightened, after all it is entertainment.

And plenty have been entertained by the play, and Dreyfuss was more than happy to pose with the actors post seeing the show.

I guess that those old adages are true, there is no such thing as bad publicity and that even after almost 50 years, all is fair in love and JAWS.