Robert Downey Jr.'s Mel Gibson Plea

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright October 16, 2011
All Rights Reserved.                                         

          Looking to help an old friend at the American Cinematheque Awards at the Beverly Hilton Friday, Oct. 14, 46-year-old actor Robert Downey Jr. begged Hollywood to forgive fellow actor of Lethal Weapon fame 55-year-old Mel Gibson for well-publicized anti-Semitic tirades.  Unlike Downey, whose career took a hiatus for bouts of drug addiction and incarceration from 1996 to 2001, Gibson’s indiscretions involved less forgivable racial and homophobic slurs, most notably during his July 28, 2006 DUI arrest in Malibu, spewing anti-Semitic vitriol.  While Gibson likes to point out he’s not a racist or anti-Semite, his apologies come reluctantly, more designed to help his career than to atone for his offensive ways.  “I urge you to forgive my friend for his trespasses,” Downey said to a loud applause.  “Allow him to pursue art without shame,” pleading to a largely Hollywood crowd.

             When Gibson launched his blockbuster hit “The Passion of the Christ” in 2004, he did very little to reassure Jewish groups that his version of the “Passion Play” pinning the Catholic Church’s blame for Jesus’ death on the Jews, though officially the Romans carried out the crucifixion.  Downey wanted to help his old friend who showed considerable sympathy during Downey’s darkest days with substance abuse and legal problems.  Most people reserve sympathies for individuals afflicted with various problems as long as they don’t cross the racist, gay or anti-Semitic line.  Whatever the Jewish influence in Hollywood is irrelevant. Gibson, like most people, are well-aware of historic anti-Semitism and the WW II Nazi Holocaust that claimed over 6 million Jews.  Whether Jews play an influential role in the entertainment business—or any other place-is not relevant.

             Many Jewish groups felt Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” helped fan anti-Semitisim, if, for no other reason, it historically blamed Judas, as in Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” for betraying Jesus.  Passion plays revive anti-Semitism and Gibson’s film was no exception.  While submitting to many interviews on the subject, Gibson was less than contrite about what the play roused in the evangelical community, where Gibson became a kind of folk hero.  Despite all the anti-Semitic overtones, it’s beyond ironic that the evangelical community gives Israel rock solid support.  To the extent that former President George W. Bush represented that group, no president in U.S. history gave Israel more backing than Bush.  Because of that support, Jews remain split politically between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats, pivoting on conservatives’ strong support of Israel.

             Downey can only go so far in salvaging Gibson’s reputation in Hollywood.  Gibson did such a poor job of damage control after his 2006 DUI arrest he’s never recovered.  Given Jewish sensitivities, Gibson needs to redeem himself by taking part in a Jewish or Israeli charity, where he can demonstrate his commitment—not lip service—to combating anti-Semitism.  Damage control isn’t rocket science but it does involve some common sense.  Gibson’s recent desire to do a movie about the mythical Macabees, who fought Jewish oppressors and won their freedom against bleak odds would go a long way in redeeming himself.  Any good publicity he could bring to the Jewish community would be a welcomed step in reversing his hurtful anti-Semitic tirades.  “He kept a roof over my head and put food on the table,” Downey said of his friend Mel that helped him work again after drug rehab.

             Hollywood’s too small and tough of business to go around offending the people that could one day make or break your career.  Downey’s kind gesture toward his friend Mel can only go so far, requiring Mel to step up and figure out how to redeem himself.  “It’s reasonable to assume he didn’t know the next guy would be him,” quipped Downey, referring to his meteoric rise from the ashes after marrying Jewish producer Susan Levin Aug. 27, 2005.  She’s been his rock of Gibraltar, keeping Robert focused on his career, steadily taking on more challenging and high-profile projects.  While Gibson’s at the tail-end of his acting career, he could continue to make important films for many years to come.  His path to success must involve mending fences for the many friends and colleagues he offended with his racial and ethnic slurs.  Starting with a film project like the Macabees could do the trick.

             Downey’s pleas for Gibson’s salvation will fall on deaf ears unloess Gibson himself doesn’t demonstrate contrition by real actions, not just empty words.  A successful film project about the legendary Jewish warriors the Macabees could help mend fences as long as Gibson’s sincere and not conspicuously manipulative.  Real acts of contrition involve doing real things, not just talking.  “Not since Joseph in the Bible went from prison to prophecy has someone elevated themselves from so low,” said “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau, offering hope for Gibson.  But unlike Downey, whose indiscretions were drug and alcohol-related binges, Gibson’s racial and ethnic slurs were far more unforgivable.  Mending fences requires a concerted damage control effort actually delivering real results, proving once and for all that Gibson’s not anti-Semitic.  Making the Macabees would be a good start.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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