I’m shocked I tell you, shocked!
Source: Harvey Weinstein is finding that few in Hollywood want to be on his side – LA Times
Well we’ve finally reached a level of disgust that even Hollywood can’t stomach and that’s pretty low. As word comes out about Harvey Weinstein’s peccadillos, I am reminded of the response of French Inspector Renault in the classic ’40’s film Casablanca when informed of illicit activity going on at Rick’s nightclub, “I’m shocked I tell you, shocked!”
If you wanted to cast someone in a film as the villain that Weinstein is accused of being in real life, you could not find a more perfect person in central casting. Well, other than Jabba The Hut. Like many of the characters depicted in his produced films, the man is bigger than life obnoxious, essentially being a caricature of the prototypical Hollywood personality.
In fairness, it probably didn’t start off that way for him. But as time went on, he learned that his boorish behavior was mainly ignored by most and in fact he was universally lauded as a god like creature as the toast of the industry. Who ya gonna believe? Harvey who makes you millions or some wanna-be actress? For over 30 years, he had the double hammer of money to buy people and influence to destroy them. Until the recent revelations, these provided a formidable buttress against any criticism of his personality.
Weinstein sensed that the reluctance for people to rein him in was a tacit approval of his sleaziness and arrogance and so his appetite became emboldened over the years; so much so that his lecherous behavior extended even to women over whom he had no influence such as reporters. Of course this would explain the plethora of under talented individuals foisted upon the public in his projects, because sadly for many, fame is an allure greater than the repulsiveness of an hour with Harvey. No wonder they thank him profusely at awards shows. Now we have to listen to their inanities as if they were intellectual giants.
As odious as the man is, we can’t lay the blame on him entirely for a lifetime of terrorizing women. It’s improbable to expect that an industry which employs gossip as the business lubricant, wouldn’t have dozens and dozens of people who were fully aware of his reputation over his 30 year career. Harvey was cunning enough to grease the campaigns of the political left, so their silence was guaranteed. In the world of money, politics and media, Harvey was a top producer and apparently, it didn’t make sense to cut him off. Harvey used women, women used Harvey and so did his beneficiaries. It was a big circle jerk.
Naturally, as the tide of opinion turns against him, many of these former beneficiaries and allies will profess outrage and shock and will desert him like the public on the recent Al Gore film. Remember, many of these feigning shock will be actors so I would watch their speeches with a big pinch of salt, some popcorn and a large drink. But if Jimmy Kimmel cries over it during his monologue, then it must be sincere.