Gibson Gets the Hitchens Treatment
By now we all know that Mel Gibson was arrested for drunk driving the other night, and during his arrest he supposedly made some unseemly comments about Jews. Finally, the question of is-he-or-isn’t-he an anti-semite can be put to rest — at least for Christopher Hitchens, who dedicates much circumlocutious verbosity to obliterating the star of “What Women Want”.
Whether Gibson tries this last catch-penny profanity or not, it is time to lower the boom on him. Those who endorsed his previous obscene blockbuster are obliged to say something now or be ignored ever after. But this should not be yet another spectacle of the “offensive” and the “inappropriate,” swiftly succeeded by rehab and repentance and perhaps—who knows?—a joint press conference with Elie Wiesel.
I certainly don’t disagree that Gibson’s outburst was reprehensible, not to mention completely odd (Who the hell would ever think of screaming “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world” during a drunk driving arrest, except for a lunatic?). But I did not like Hitchens’ article in the least. Is this what this man has stooped to? Personal, ad hominem attacks? Critiques of Gibson’s other films, including Braveheart and the Patriot because they are — wait for it — anti-British? I used to appreciate some of Hitchens’ articles, but now they read like the transcriptions of a mean drunk sputtering to himself in a corner.
Nonetheless, this incident has proven that Gibson has anti-semitic sentiments, and this will undoubtedly hurt his career, as it should. If there’s one thing Hollywood can’t stand, it’s an anti-semite or a HUAC narc; a pedophilic rapist, however — sure, as long as he’s a genius.
Lest we forget, Marlon Brando wasn’t ostracized for his anti-semitic comments on Larry King Live. But it’s hard to be ostracized when you already own your own private island. Note to Gibson: Buy your own island; that way, the mean ol’ Jews won’t be able to get you — unless they declare war on you, the threat of which would undoubtedly haunt your dreams for eternity.
