Some two weeks after we learned that Mel Gibson’s wife of 29 years, Robyn Moore, was filing for divorce, the former Sexiest Man Alive showed up last night at a special Los Angeles screening of Wolverine with his Russian girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. The couple’s rare public appearance may have come a short time after one of the world’s biggest stars got embroiled in one of the world’s biggest divorces, but as his rep explained to People of the smiley, happy couple, "Mel has been single for almost three years and it’s nice to see him getting out and enjoying himself." Then why am I feeling so catty about it?
Gibson’s dug a pretty deep PR hole for himself, not only by acting like a drunken anti-semite during the (alleged) "sugartits" tirade, but also by jamming his religious values down our throat with a frightening, flesh-slashing fury. I think that’s why I’m feeling unfairly critical of Gibson, 53, for turning to the younger Grigorieva, 39, now that he is engaged in the very un-Catholic act of divorce. Espousing your specific personal beliefs as the only way to save your soul from whatever hell might await the non-believers (he once said even his Episcopalian wife Moore, the mother of his children, would be excluded from salvation) has a way of coming home to roost when you live your life, and all its ups and downs, in public. And yes, I am aware that my response is partly just a shot of schadendfreude now that the rich, beautiful, successful, previously likable actor is being taken down a peg.
But maybe we’ve hit the breaking point and can finally forgive Gibson and grant that he has every right to humbly walk out in public with his girlfriend and be left alone to his private life. While I’m not all that stoked to see him play a cop in the crime thriller Edge of Darkness later this year (his first major acting role since 2002′s Signs), I think I could probably be into it if he signed onto an indie flick where he plays a creepy, middle-aged weirdo and flaunts the fact that he’s no longer the goofy Hollywood star from Lethal Weapon. Sadly, I dunno if his ego, or his church, would ever allow it, but that could be a better route for him moving forward than playing a cop or attempting to pull a Stallone and ressurect the Mad Max franchise.
What do you think PopWatchers? Have we forgiven Gibson for the drunken tirade? Are we privately taking some pleasure in watching him face a bit of judgment himself? What kind of role would make you want to see Gibson on screen?
Mr. Bruno – you obviously know little about “FAITH”. Mr. Gibson has done nothing that requires you to forgive him. Grow up man and stop enjoying it so much when others struggle. Human sin was not evented by Mel.
Mel Gibson had to go to Russia to find a woman who isn’t repulsed by him. He’s a lousy anti-semite with a bad temper. What a baby.
I don’t know, I think there are a lot of celebrities who make big mistakes and are forgiven, so why not forgive Mel? And I’m not even sure what’s the bigger offense that people are mad at- the racism or the religious declarations? Or is it that he did both? At the very least people have to admit that by declaring yourself as a member of one religion you are acknowledging that other religions have got it wrong. So just by being Christian, Muslim or (religiously) Jewish, you’re saying you disagree with the others. And since you’re not mad at every religious person you know, it’s got to be the racism thing, right? But we’re not still mad at every celebrity that’s ever said something racist, or are we? And anyway, is there no room for maturing or changing your mind on things in this world? Or does he need to be re-interviewed on everything he’s ever said? Someone clear this up for me.
I like her horribly reconstructed face. It looks like Mel’s in Man Without a Face. Mel Gibson is no role model. Just ask Sugart!ts and any bartender who was unfortunate enough to serve him.
I’m sorry, but Steve, aren’t you just insulting Russians by implying they don’t have high enough standards to be repulsed by Mel Gibson? And are you mad at all other celebrities who have bad tempers? And who knows who else in the world is an anti-semite? Are we just mad that Gibson spoke out?
Before you judge Mel, perhaps you should consider your own personal flops…or have you not made any? Don’t like his movie? Don’t pay to see it. And frankly, his comments regarding Jews were made in a drunken stupor. Why hold him to a higher standard than yourself? Because he is Mad Max? Or makes film? Or because he has more $$$ than you?
South Park summed it up best: he’s a “whacko d-bag.” And I say that as total Mad Max and Lethal Weapon fan (and I am hoping he does more, but only if it kicks behind like Rambo did), not to mention that Braveheart was awesome and epic.
He’s got talent and charisma, he’s just not that likeable and unable to see how low and hypocritical he is, which is typical blinded-by-religion ignorant arrogance and self-righteousness.
I believe he made (bad) mistakes…like everyone I know!! One of my friend cheated on his girlfriend, and you know what, he’s still my friend! Even if I don’t agree with what he has done or said, I won’t judge him more than I would for anyone else…
GO ALICIA!!! My thoughts exactly except expressed much better than I could have. Thank you!
Mr. Bruno, spare us from the accusation of Gibson “jamming his religious values” down our throats, unless you’re also going to attack celebrities who constantly bombard us with whom we should vote for, what we should eat, what we should drive, etc.
I still find it amazing Hollywood’s fear of how much damage “The Passion of the Christ” will do in the world considering all the movies it releases every year with explicit nudity, profanity and violence.
what kind of role? i don’t want to see him on screen anymore. everything he does is heavy handed. hope he says home.
Passion of the Jew – South Park season 8, that about says it all.
Ah! I just had 1 beer. Good looking Mel Gibson caused all the wives and husbands in the world to be jealous.
The rich, beautiful, successful, likable Creator of the Passion of Christ is so blessed by God.
May God bless Mel Gibson more.
Didn’t you know? His new “girlfriend” is a Mossad agent and his wife was hypnotized by the Jewish Cabal to file for divorce.
Such a shame, I used to really like Mel. Who else can pretend to dislocate a sholder with such finesse?
Mad Max reprise. Mel could easily pull off a Stallone style reprise of the Mad Max movies. What happened to Max after he wandered away from Auntie Entity (aka Tina Turner) in that Australian desert? Inquiring minds want to know.
I doubt that many people would recall what happened (I had forgotten) if it wasn’t for sites like this. Thank goodness for honest journalism that has no axe to grind.