Does Mel Gibson Deserve Another Chance?

[Mitch Henessey]

Robert Downey Jr. was honored at the American Cinematheque Award ceremony this past Friday. Mel Gibson was in attendance. He presented the award to Downey, and Gibson's friend sent a message to Hollywood with his speech time:

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Gibson has been on Hollywood's blacklist for a while now. His ant-Semitic remarks after his DUI arrest in 2006 put Gibson in hot water with Hollywood, and his physcotic and angry rants against his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva put the final nail in the coffin. Downey Jr. is a friend, and Gibson helped him get back on his feet, when he was in the gutter years ago. Downey Jr. has become a popular star in Hollywood again, so he's trying to return the favor, but does Gibson deserve another chance?

Mel Gibson did see a lot of success as an actor. He was the star of the Mad Max films, the Lethal Weapon franchise does have a pretty popular legacy, Gibson did see some success as an actor in the 90's, and Gibson has also received praise as a director. Mel Gibson is one of the more recognizable names in Hollywood. He was a big star for years, and he's always near the spotlight, but he has been popular for all of the wrong reasons over the past five years.

Mel could make a comeback, but he needs to be careful. First of all, Mel should stay away from controversial and sensitive material for a while. Warner Brothers and Gibson have made a deal. They want a make a Biblical-era action film about a Jewish rebellion. This could draw some angry criticisms (for obvious reasons), and Gibson really doesn't need that right now. Gibson needs to take it slow, if he wants to make a comeback, and this type of film won't help his cause.

I would welcome a Mel Gibson comeback. If Gibson can clean up his act, then he should have another shot. Edge Of Darkness was outstanding, and Gibson proved he still has something left in the tank. Gibson's potential comeback could be successful. But he doesn't need anymore stupid and racist comments, and he needs to stay out of trouble.

What are your thoughts?

 

[jmt225]

So the guy is a little racist, who gives a fuck, really? As long as he's not going out there hurting people physically because of their race or religion or anything like that, being a little racist is no big deal, in my opinion.

Besides, his stupid racism rants came from when he was drunk, and when a bitch was driving him absolutely nuts. Drunk people say stupid things, and when a woman is able to get under a man's skin, he will usually say and do things he normally wouldn't in a million years. I know those are excuses, but still... they're legitimate. And if you claim they're not, then you haven't experienced much of a life at this point, or you're simply a high and mighty douchebag.

So, yeah... I wouldn't mind a Mel Gibson comeback, specifically behind the camera, as I think every film he's directed turned out to be great. He hasn't starred in a good movie since We Were Soldiers, so I think these days he's a much better writer/director than he is actor. And I know the man has some more stories to tell, so hopefully he'll be given the chance to tell them sooner rather than later.

Oh, and major props to RDJ for doing this. It was a stand-up thing to do, that not many in Hollywood would have the balls to do.

 

[JWGunslinger]

That was so nice I almost cried when RDJ and Mel hugged, no really. I have always liked Mel, sure he shot himself in the foot with some things he's done but who the hell hasn't? People(especially in Hollywood) have done much worse and not recieved the shit that he has, I'm not justifying what he said or did but cut the man some slack because as Robert proves here in this video, Mel Gibson has a good heart and he deserves some respect for that. I was always a fan of his acting(Braveheart is in my top 10) and as a director he's brilliant, I would agree with jmt and say that he should go for his comeback behind the camera, he's done great things and he could definitely continue to do so if he's given a chance. Lastly I would like to say my respect for Robert Downey Jr was already big, but this skyrocketed it and it goes to show what a great man he is, major respect.

 

[Captain Mike]

Edge of Darkness was a great film and a great role for Mel to play, I really enjoyed it and I would love to see him get a good second chance because if people like Downey Jr can get one I am sure that Mel can too. He is a great acting talent that deserves his chance to wind down his career in a respectable manner...