Gibson's summer draws scorn of Mongi

By Melissa Mongi
Collegian Reporter
August 30, 2006

Dear Mel Gibson,

It has been a long time since we last spoke. Granted, we’ve never really spoken before right now but it just feels like I know you. Your summer, since your June 28 DUI arrest, has been more exciting than my own.

While I visited the Jersey shore, you were visiting the inside of a courtroom, where you pleaded no contest to all charges. While I will be buying books for school and starting classes, you will be paying court fines and attending a different set of classes – on alcohol abuse.

Before, I always liked you as an actor, director and producer. I couldn’t decide which films I liked watching you in more. Lethal Weapon films were the only movies my brother and I could agree to watch. At the young age of four, I could appreciate your charm coupled with objects exploding in that Hollywood fashion.

As I matured, so did your films. The Man Without a Face taught me how to love the homely, while Forever Young taught us all the value of time and the process of cryogenically freezing. Okay, so maybe your portrayal of Hamlet wasn’t the best interpretation of the Bard, but you redeemed yourself in Pocahontas. John Smith was never more glorious.

Mel, I’m doing your real career a discredit because what really made me love you was your heroism. You became an inspiration whilst smearing your face with blue paint and blood in Braveheart; this also showed us your prowess as a director. You became the all American father in The Patriot. Your son (played by Heath Ledger) wasn’t hard to look at either. If people had lost faith they were surely redeemed, with hearts racing along with you in Signs. You had that example to live up to; the American man and hero.

You started rocking the boat in 2004 when you directed and produced The Passion of the Christ. This film was no musical reminiscent of 1973’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Far beyond sparkly bell bottoms, The Passion was downright gritty realism of Jesus’ crucifixion. My point is, Mel, you did it. There was controversy, sure, because of the subject and its representation of the Jewish community in Jesus’ time. Yet, the movie was released and brought in $1.3 billion. To be able to spread a completely religious film and garner a profit to most would be a success.

These days, I don’t know what I think. Today, I can’t say that you have. Do you really know “what women want?” As of late, I’m going to answer that question with a definite “no.”

Did you not receive enough attention from two decades of a quality career? Your next choice, and your battle with alcoholism, drove you to break the barrier in a far opposite direction. Why, Mel, go cruising under the influence of alcohol? Wasn’t it exciting enough to look up at your Oscar, smile, go to bed and say to yourself “I’ve had a great career”?

Then, to make matters allegedly worse, you replaced your famous Braveheart battle speech (“They can take our lives, but they can never take our freedom!”) with offensive comments about the Jewish community. All I can think is, “WWJD” and shake my head in shame. Most likely, “J” wouldn’t scream drunkenly about an entire religious faction, let alone his own. Not cool, Mel.

Now you are in a rehab program working off your latest bit of controversy. This time though, I’m not wiping tears from my eyes after one of your films, but rethinking my affection toward you. This was not a success like your career has been. Some say they won’t see your films anymore. Will I pay money to see you up on the big screen? I think the better question is, after a DUI and anti-Semitic comments, what movie could redeem your latest sins?

Saddened at Your Behavior,

Melissa L. Mongi

P.S. Do you think I could borrow your Oscar for the time being? Maybe watch over it while you’re in rehab? Thanks!

mongil1@lasalle.edu