Robert Downey Jr. asks us to forgive Mel Gibson

[Gaiseric]

I never had any issue with Mel Gibson. I see him as an actor, nothing more. If he's an ass in real life I don't care.

Having just re-watched Lethal Weapon 1+2 all I can say is that I would enjoy seeing him in more movies.

 

[Wuvlycuddles]

I never had any issue with Mel Gibson. I see him as an actor, nothing more. If he's an ass in real life I don't care.

Having just re-watched Lethal Weapon 1+2 all I can say is that I would enjoy seeing him in more movies.

This pretty much, I'm sure like at least 50% of all "celebrities" are ass-hats if you met em, but that has no bearing on their work at all. Hell, just look at how popular Guns N Roses were....

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

A lot of people suffer from stress related breakdowns, its just that most of them don't receive this kind of attention. Upon it all, he is a human like the rest of us.

I say we give him a chance.

 

[Saltyk]

This isn't 'Robert Downey Jr.' doing Mel Gibson a solid from his upstanding position. Okay, it is, but that's not what makes his statement importnat.

Mel Gibson is currently going through a lot of very personal problems, and has a lot of personal demons he needs to clear up. No one is disputing this. The guy's a bit fucked up.

And RDJ knows what's that's like... because he DID lose his acting career because of his own personal problems with substance abuse and alcohol and literally got himself fired from sitcoms because he couldn't get his shit together. The guy was out-Charlie Sheening Charlie Sheen.

However, RDJ has cleaned himself up, and then he lifted himself up, and started a new acting career from the bottom back up again. Now, he's a big name once more, but he's not involved in the same shinanegans, and more importantly, we've forgiven and forgotten.

That's why it's meaningful for him to ask the same for Mel.

Yes. Exactly. I always thought part of the reason Downey was such a good Tony Stark is because there was a lot of him in the character. But those same issues are the reason that I think he is sticking by Mel. So, there's a lot going on here. Friendship, loyalty, returning the favor, and of course Downey understands what it is like going from the top of the world to the bottom. And, if that hasn't become apparent yet, I respect him for sticking up for his friend.

I am only too willing to forgive Mel Gibson, but I can't forgive him through Robert Downy Jr. Mel Gibson has to stand up, admit to his problems and seek forgiveness for himself.

I applaud Downy's actions, as I applaud Gibson's for reaching out to Downy in his time of need. But this isn't just about us forgiving him, its about him honestly asking for it.

I agree. Honestly, I think Gibson knew that Downey was going to stick up for him at this awards ceremony. He may have even asked for it, which I don't think takes away from it, if anything it would prove Mel is looking for forgiveness. But I do think Mel Gibson himself needs to ask forgiveness. Not just from us and Hollywood, but also Oksana Grigorieva. I think that would show a lot of character on his part. I think doing that would soften a lot of people's views towards him.

Yeah, that's pretty much why I posted this. Is it odd to say that I'm proud of Robert Downey Jr. for doing this? Whatever you think of Mel Gibson, you gotta admit that Downey is really a class act for this. I almost wanna root for Mel just because Downey is sticking by him AND because he helped Downey when he was down. Anyone who would do that for a friend deserves some credit.

On another note, did you use to have an avatar from Farscape? I think we had a nice little debate once.

Couldn't agree with you more, and that I did. Dominar Rygel the 16th.

The dominar is still alive and well on my photobucket.

Sad thing about these boards being so busy is that the second someone changes their avatar it's hard to remember who they were. I'm honored you remembered me man. Wish I could remember what we'd discussed though. My respect to you. And an extra Kudos for knowing Farscape.

Nah, that's cool. I remember your name and your avatar. If memory serves, I joined these boards just to have a debate with you. So, you're to blame for all my 1,000 plus comments on these forums. Incidentally, this comment is number 1,600 exactly.

 

[JesterRaiin]

So, Escapists, what do you all think?

I think that people should stop to be so correct. We are people not angles, we err, we are entitled to have our own opinions even if they are wrong. If someone hates some group i'll say leave him be. There's nothing wrong with prejudices unless there are actions supporting such attitude. That's wrong.

I don't give a damn what Mel Gibson thinks. Unless he tries to bring another Holocaust, he may hate every nation there is including my own. Finito.

 

[RemuValtrez]

I must say the fact that he is sticking by his friend is something incredible, as most people wouldn't want to be in the same room with him. For that he gets a tip of my hat.

Now I just hope that Mel takes this to heart and straightens up.

 

[Seventh Actuality]

Heads up to some of Mel's defenders: describing doing something despicable as "making a mistake" doesn't make Mel Gibson look better, it makes you look worse.

Meanwhile, people still defend Roman Polanski...and Mel has to fight for his career.

Umm, you seem to be making a thing of this Roman Polanski comparison. People defend them both, and both groups are wrong. Polanski deserved to be prosecuted and imprisoned, Gibson deserves to have his career quietly die.

So yeah, what everybody else said. Props to Downey Jr, but nobody who cares enough to have an opinion will change theirs until Gibson actually does something himself to make them rethink it.

 

[Terminate421]

I have nothing to hold truly against Mel Gibson but this does sound like something a true friend does. I also love Robert Downey Jr. so okay!

 

[wooty]

Ohhhh, I forgave Mel Gibson the very night I dug out the Lethal Weapon boxset and re-lived my childhood. People fuck up in life, even I've spouted stuff I shouldn't have when I've had a few drinks.

 

[LiquidGrape]

Robert Downey Jr. puts his foot in his mouth, Mel Gibson remains a misogynist, racist anti-semite.

What else is new?

 

[Redworld13]

The way i see it they are both great at what they do (most of the time). Id rather ignore their personal lives, religious beliefs, etc..... They make good films and thats all i care about.

 

[Terminate421]

This isn't 'Robert Downey Jr.' doing Mel Gibson a solid from his upstanding position. Okay, it is, but that's not what makes his statement importnat.

Mel Gibson is currently going through a lot of very personal problems, and has a lot of personal demons he needs to clear up. No one is disputing this. The guy's a bit fucked up.

And RDJ knows what's that's like... because he DID lose his acting career because of his own personal problems with substance abuse and alcohol and literally got himself fired from sitcoms because he couldn't get his shit together. The guy was out-Charlie Sheening Charlie Sheen.

However, RDJ has cleaned himself up, and then he lifted himself up, and started a new acting career from the bottom back up again. Now, he's a big name once more, but he's not involved in the same shinanegans, and more importantly, we've forgiven and forgotten.

That's why it's meaningful for him to ask the same for Mel.

That is what makes him Human.

I just hope the rest of the world catchs on that Robert is just being a trusted friend. Something Humans should be. It sort of warms my heart to hear this story.

 

[MysticToast]

And when you look at Jewish theology and Christian theology there are great differences. Jews emphasize their culture and dogma. Christians merely ask people to love God and His Son.

Hmm.

I must have missed a couple major historical events if all Christians ever do is ask folks to love god and Jesus.

Blanket statements about any faith are likely to be inaccurate at best.

And blanket statements about a few periods where Christians royally screwed it up are also inaccurate. I believe he was talking about the basic theology, not the people who put it into practice.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

Mel might be be a bit nuts... but I appreciate Mr. Downey Jr. standing up for his friend. I guess someone has to...

 

[Scarim Coral]

Wow I had a new respect for Robert, he certainly a good and loyal friend to have.

Since I am one of those people who was unaware of Mel Gibson controversal deeds until now, I forgive him anyway since I don't see it any different from any actor and actress past fiasco.

 

[redisforever]

Robert, this just makes me love you more. Not just an awesome actor, and really cool guy, but also a good friend.
Thing is, I don't care about Gibson's behaviour. If he makes a good movie, I'll enjoy it. It's like Roman Polanski. Good movies, bit of a dick it seems. Their behaviour is their business.

 

[IamQ]

I respect Robert, and I think that he seems like a great friend, but I still won't change my view of Mel.

 

[Macgyvercas]

Erm, I'm not really up to speed on stuff. Why is there so much hate for Mel Gibbson? I mean, come on, I freakin' loved Braveheart.

 

[TheDooD]

"Forgive"? Why? Mel Gibson hasn't done anything to hurt me, so why should he need me to forgive him?

He's just a crazy bastard who has said some racist stuff. There have been so many of those before, and there will continue to be. It's nice to see RDJ sticking up for his friend, but why were people even hating him in the first place? 'Cause he's nuts? That's no reason to hate someone.

Many people said some racist shit public and or cussed out an ex girlfriend while under the influence. Hollywood is hard and everybody has their mental breakdowns after a while. Demonizing one because he said some Anti-Semitic shit, then South Park does this every week and is honored is pretty stupid.