Image Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage.comSome celebrities attract the scandal-mongers like flies to honey. Or garbage. Then, there are those other stars who manage to leave all their fame on the screen, who seem to be made of Teflon, for how little dirt clings to them. You’ll never see a paparazzi photo of a bleary-eyed Tom Hanks stumbling out of a nightclub, or headlines that read “Cops Find Cocaine in Emma Thompson’s Purse” or “Stanley Tucci Crotch Shot.” This is mostly because these actors live their lives like normal human beings and not characters from a Bret Easton Ellis novel, preferring to clean out the gutters on a Sunday morning instead of waking up in one.
Jodie Foster largely manages to avoid the abusive and vapid lenses of the tabloids. Unfortunately for Foster, the star of her fascinating-looking new movie The Beaver, Mel Gibson, does not. After a seemingly endless stream of angry answering machine messages leaked during the actor’s divorce proceedings, Foster and Gibson’s film was shelved indefinitely. In an interview with More magazine, Foster has broken her silence on the whole ordeal, saying of Gibson, “When you love a friend, you don’t abandon them when they are struggling. Of course, Mel is an undeniably gifted actor and director, and The Beaver is one of his most powerful and moving performances. But more importantly, he is and has been a true and loyal friend. I hope I can help him get through this dark moment.”
Personally I don’t understand why the movie had to be backburnered in the first place, even though his purported rants were undoubtedly offensive. While it was a public relations disaster, it was hardly Gibson’s first. It’s like living in Kansas: Sure, another tornado hit, but you’d think you’d be expecting it by now. My personal feelings for Gibson wouldn’t keep me from seeing a movie I’m genuinely interested in — one that has Foster directing a script that topped the 2008 Black List, that compilation of the hottest unproduced screenplays floating around Tinseltown. If anything, Gibson’s well-publicized voicemail breakdown should make his performance as a mentally unstable man who deals with depression by speaking through a beaver puppet on his left hand that much more interesting.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Is it fair for The Beaver to be consigned to Hollywood purgatory? Are they right to try to wait until Gibson’s public image has recuperated, or is that like waiting for your bell-bottoms to come back in style?
I’ll go see a movie if it looks interesting, crazy actors be damned! I saw Apacalypto even after Gibson’s past tirade. I’d go see Lohan in a movie – if it were good…
@Mac I agree.
agreed. i saw apacalypto too, you have to seperate the person from the character/art form
^ These comments show how people like Polanski etc keeps making movies, the public doesn’t care how disgusting actors and directors are. Morals and ethics are certainly a thing of the past.
That’s because we don’t give a crap about people we’ll never meet’s behavior. If the movie is good, then it’s good. I’ll see it.
G: the flipside of your argument is that we should support art, no matter how schlocky and awful it is, if the person creating it is a decent and moral person. I’m not buying it. There’s no black and white line for most people, when the transgressions of the artist pollute the viewer’s interpretation of their work. I certainly would not want to adopt your rigid, restrictive approach.
Mac, it’s nice to see someone posting a reasonable response. I usually expect more ignorance, like what G posted.
I dunno, I thnk G might have a bit of a point. Maybe Polanski is a brilliant film maker, but he did rape a 14 year old girl and get away scott free. Is it ignorant to call him out on it and thinks he deserves punishment? I mean I know the victim wants to move on with her life and not press charges, but still, what does this mean, that Hollywood gets to live a different standard? I don’t think G is ignorant at all.
@Dave. As someone who was a victim at one time, when I was five, I thank you for standing up for G’s reasonable view. If “sir lizard” isn’t ignorant himself, he’s heartless. Both not very appealing. I understand those who wish to separate the artist from the action. But I also understand NOT wanting to support PARTICULAR artists as well. In some cases, I wish more people would CHOOSE the latter choice — the ‘not support that artist’ choice … certainly if they choose to NOT SUPPORT, it doesn’t make them ignorant! So, well said Dave and much appreciated. Sirlizard, find your soul or your empathy or some semblance of sympathy for your fellow human beings. Or at the very least, try seeking out some modicum of understanding for those with an opinion that is different from yours. I know it’s an effort, but you probably have it in you.
All You people are stupid. I totally agree with G. People like that rapist Polanski still gets support despite his offenses. But I think there is a double standard. I think people choose to overlook certain people offenses (no matter how disgusting) because they are devoted fans. Like a mother will still support her child, even if he killed 100 innocent people.
Good BYE!!!
If Lindsay were in another movie – let’s hope both of these talented folks get the point and rejoin society. Both are very talented and deserve another chance.
lindsay doesn’t spew hate. she just screws up.
So giving money to make millions for a man who beat a woman, is Anti-Semitic, masochistic, and racist? So nothing is off the table in terms of morality any more? I am not saying that the woman involved is clean in all of this, but she wasn’t even around for the first waves of rants. He threatened to kill her and arrogantly claimed that no one would believe he did it. So she’s not a good person so it excuses his horrific and cruel behavior? Alcohol makes you drunk – not a woman beater and racist. No more Foster movies for me either.
Judge not that ye be not judged – Matthew 7:1
No religious overtones, just reasonably good advice.
After reading your comments, your name suits you.
M&M – Except that Matthew 7:1 is referring to making a judgment regarding someone’s eternal damnation/salvation. There is nothing wrong with speaking out against bad behavior. I can look up scripture to back that up as well.
Let’s hope it’s just not another “I know who killed me”! You should already be in hell to sit through such an abyssmal piece of s%&#!!!!
Hollywood is forgiving, and if this is a good movie then it would be best to let it sit until the hatred for him has died down some. I could care less if he gets any accolades, but I’d hate for it to cost Jodie Foster an award because people are thinking of what an idiot he is.
Jodi doesn’t seem to have a problem with wanting to release the movie. As she has said this is not the first time he has misbehaved. She doesn’t seem to be concerned about not getting a reward. I think she wants people to see her movie because it is good! Including Mel’s performance.
If we refused to support activities wherein the players didn’t live up to our social code, we’d have to give up most major sports as well as attending many movies. Entertainment is entertainment; the players’ private lives are for another kind of judgment.
So they can commit crimes, abuse their spouses, children etc and people like you, Lee, still support them and don’t care? Good message there.
Why does it have to be all about Mel? What if I want to see the film to support Jodie Foster? Or the countless other people who worked on the film? Directors, actors, producers, writers, editors, etc. They all have to get screwed over because people want to boycott Mel Gibson? It’s not all about him.
And FYI, you probably have supported people who have committed crimes, you just didn’t realize it. Not everyone gets caught.
You guys have to have it one extreme or the other?
@Dave – You forget that many of the same people who will boycott the movie because they don’t approve of Mel are the ones who will boycott the movie because they don’t approve of Jodie’s homosexual orientation.
Amen!
Mr. Staskiewicz,
Would you go see (and thus be supporting with your money) a movie that starred a grandwizard of the KKK? To say that the movie fascinates you is beside the point, you are throwing your support behind a project starring a man for whom there is strong evidence to be racist, misogynistic, and anti-semitic. To support this film is to say that such behavior doesn’t matter, that it’s okay. Is it okay? Would you be okay with a friend of yours uttering the ‘n’ word? Or calling someone a dirty Jew?
Angry voice mail messages?
I only know about the recorded phone “conversations” (insane verbal abuse) directed at
his ex Oksana.
Hey! My bellbottoms ARE back in style!
I have always liked Jodie Foster and even respect her. I am sure she is sincere in her words about Mel Gibson. If Miss Foster wasn’t promoting a movie, I would have accepted her diplomatic and dignified words about Mr. Gibson without wondering if there was an ulterior motive to her words of support.
Does anyone really *speculate* over Jodie Foster’s sexuality anymore?
I didn’t think so. But I guess since she didn’t ‘come out’ on the cover of a magazine and do talk show rounds about it- which was very very classy of her- she is still in the closet according to H’wood.
Jodie did come out, but quietly and in the last year or so. I have a great deal of respect for Jodie, but would not pay to see a movie with Mel in it. She’d be wise to reshoot the film with someone else. Not sure how she can stand by a man like that. He’s made it pretty clear how he feels about women and gays. I wouldn’t stand by a friend who showed those true colors.
I’m not sure a movie called The Beaver is going to help anyones career. I mean, look at Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow. Also anti semites btw.
Much respect for Jodie Foster saying this, although I guess she could have spoken up in support a bit sooner. He IS a great actor and director, and I do want to see him get better and get his life back in shape. I also think it was necessary to hold off on releasing the movie for the time being. During the release of those tapes, public opinion of him (mine included) was really aggressively negative, and I imagine many of those people were thinking to themselves that they’d never see another of his movies again. If they wait a bit on this movie and let things cool off some, I think more people will be inclined to have moved on from the whole scandal thing. More people will be willing to set aside his personal life in order to see the movie.
Mel Gibson is my favorite actor of all time along with Clint Eastwood and Henry Fonda. I have no problem with Jodie Foster. Braveheart is my favorite movie ever.
I watch Mad Max every time it’s on.
I always hear about anti-Semites but never anti-Gentiles just like I always hear about white racists but never black ones. Hmmmm…
Black racists aren’t as big a problem because, a) there are less than them, and b) they are less likely to be in positions of power. Look at Congress, our Supreme Court, and the CEOs of almost every major company. What do you see: white people. Their racism is a huge concern because it prevents other races from advancing.
Patrick is right on. I must admit that Gibson used to be one of my favorite actors, but since he’s started this mess with being anti-Semites, I find him extremely offensive and haven’t gone to any of his movies since then. That being said, I adore Jodi Foster and would probably see the movie on her merits alone.
Good for you. I’m sure everyone in Hollywood knows you’ve boycotted his movies.
@SLB, don’t be snide. If enough people feel this way, Hollywood WILL start to notice.
Thanks for putting the term “Stanley Tucci Crotch Shot” in my head. Thanks a lot.
I wouldn’t mind seeing that. Now if it were Phillip Seymour Hoffman….
Mel is apparently a man with a drinking problem who says some nasty things when he is angry and/or drunk. He apparently also has a good side and that is the one that she knows. Nobody is perfect and most people have said things that they regret. Friends don’t abandon friends because of mistakes. I give her credit for loyalty and I hope that Mel goes back to his wife and does some soul searching before it is too late for him.
If an actor annoys me enough, I won’t go see their film. Conversely, if I like the actor, I might go see their new film even if it’s not something I would ordinarily watch.