The Polanski principle

Kim Masters, in a Slate article about whether Mad Mel still has a future in Hollywood, notes that raping a teenaged girl and fleeing the country isn't enough to get you blacklisted:

Some in Hollywood argue that artists must be forgiven their excesses. Even after Roman Polanski went on the lam after he was charged with drugging and sodomizing a child, many in Hollywood's top ranks were prepared to welcome him back...

Other examples: Victor Salva, who directed Powder, Jeepers Creepers and the recent Peaceful Warrior, was convicted of molesting a twelve-year-old boy in 1988. And talented character actor Jeffrey Jones, best known as the principal in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, landed a role on HBO's Deadwood even after his own run-in with child sexual offences.

For all the talk of how Gibson will never work again, recent history suggests that Hollywood is actually a pretty forgiving town. It may be a while before someone risks making him a romantic lead again, but Gibson will almost certainly keep directing. (Though chances are, this winter's Mel Gibson's Apocalypto will be released as just Apocalypto.)

Damian P.

Update: a Rabbi accepts Gibson's apology, but sets forth what else he must do to redeem himself.

Posted by damian at August 2, 2006 07:30 AM