Are Moviegoers Ready for Mel Gibson's Return?
Mel Turns Back to Acting in Edge of Darkness
Aug 2, 2008
Gibson Takes Lead Role in Crime Drama
According to Variety, in the film Gibson plays a Boston detective who leads an investigation into his own daughter’s death, only to discover her secret life and hidden reasons for her murder. William Monahan, Oscar-winning screenwriter of The Departed and the upcoming DiCaprio/Crowe film Body of Lies, penned the script.
Then add Robert DeNiro’s casting to the collected Oscar talent pool of the film, and it appears this movie is bound to be successful, if not so, then at least critically successfully.
But the film carries a question that might overshadow the film itself—Is America and the rest of the world ready to run back into the strong Australian arms of Mel Gibson?
Maybe, for lack of a better answer.
New Film Becomes First Acting Gig in Almost Seven Years
Gibson’s last movie, Signs, hit theatres long ago in 2002, and since then he has not done much acting wise to stay in the limelight. But the Lethal Weapon star’s absence from Hollywood starring roles is of less concern. His directorial efforts and public behavior are what deliver murkiness to whether his comeback will reap box office receipts.
Gibson took his time away from acting to focus on directing, and when Passion of the Christ came out in 2004, his film found success to the tune of $370 million North American box office. Yet with success came controversy.
The Anti-Defamation League protested the crucifixion story with a Jan. 23 press release that stated the film “could fuel latent anti-Semitism that exists in the hearts of those people who hold Jews responsible for the death of Jesus.”
Controversy Could Keep Gibson In Trouble
The film caused protests across the country, while at the same time garnering great support of fundamental Christian groups. According to a March 2nd MSNBC article, church groups took to renting out entire theatres for their congregations. Audiences like those helped contribute to the financial success of the film, but charges of anti-Semitism against Gibson only grew.
Over two years later, California police stopped Gibson for driving under the influence. In what became a highly publicized video, a drunken Gibson made a slew of anti-Semitic rants on the side of the road.
According to the official police report, Gibson told the officers that "Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
The leaked report would only further ignite notions of Gibson’s anti-Semitism. Yet despite the bad publicity, Apocalypto, another film directed by Gibson, came out later that year and proved to be a mild success.
Acting Return's Success Not Guaranteed
Then again, Gibson wasn’t on-screen for that film. The common moviegoer could watch the film and be blissfully ignorant of Gibson’s involvement. Edge of Darkness will have no such luxury. Gibson will stand front and center.
It is unsure whether Gibson’s thunder cloud of controversy will rain heavily over next year’s release of the film
It will most certainly cause some type of scene, but how substantial its scale will be remains uncertain. With at least six to eight months, if not more, before the film debuts, his opponents will have ample time to stir up dismay.
Gibson though, acted wisely for his return to acting.
Edge of Darkness has the potential to be a Teflon acting role. Adding DeNiro keeps the film from being placed solely on Gibson. Monahan’s pedigree almost assures a quality movie. And the Boston-set story does not involve Judaism in its telling.
At least we hope so, for Gibson’s sake.
