Can Hollywood Forgive Mel Gibson?

Once universally adored as the Hollywood ‘Braveheart’ with the Midas touch, Mel Gibson’s fall from grace and favor has been a painfully pathetic one to watch, but does the Aussie actor who has been slammed as a homophobic, misogynistic, racist drunk, really deserve a second bite of the A-List cherry? 

Jewish journalist Allison Hope Weiner certainly believes the ‘Passion Of The Christ’ director has been ‘crucified’ long enough for his past transgressions and has urged Hollywood to end their quiet blacklisting of the tormented thespian. 

Considering the the 58-year-old ‘Lethal Weapon’s’ notoriety as a holocaust denier, and his infamous drunken anti-Semitic rant to a police officer, this is a very forgiving attitude for Winer to adopt. 

The journalist believes the actor who has spent years battling the twin demons of  alcoholism and depression and who has been sober for the last seven has, “Spent enough time in the penalty box.'"

Writing for Deadline, the news-hound who once stood in a long line of hacks endlessly queuing up to vilify Mel Gibson, now confesses she knows him personally and realizes he’s not the man we think he is. 

Apparently the ‘Mad Max’ star who once infamously spouted, “the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.” was at his charming best when in a “room full of Jews” at her son’s bar mitzvah celebration.

So delighted was Weiner with her new found friend’s conduct she wrote, “Anyone who has attended such a gathering knows there is nothing more imposing than making friends in a room full of Jews who haven’t eaten in 24 hours.” 

Weiner also reveals that Gibson’s anti-Semitic remarks were triggered by what he explained was “personal criticism of him from the Jewish community over The Passion Of The Christ.” She also writes that Gibson confessed that he can be a mean drunk and, “Stuff comes out in a distorted manner…”

Quick to point out that Gibson is no altar boy and has an electricity and a wildness in his blue eyes that makes him such a great artist, Weiner explains, “The fact that he won’t jump to his own defense is part of his problem, but also part of why I have grown to respect him. I propose to Hollywood that it’s time to forgive Mel Gibson. He has been in the doghouse long enough.”

Hollywood, the ball is in your court. What do you think, are you ready to eat popcorn in the company of big Mel again?