A film about Michael Jackson should be box office poison, given the accusations of pedophilia that trailed him in his last decades. Yet the film’s strong opening weekend suggests that audiences are willing to separate the art from the artist.
“Michael,” the King of Pop’s glossy biopic, was expeected to make north of $70 million stateside. It did so well that estimates are now as high as nearly $100 million in the U.S., and $200 million worldwide.
Critics complain the film avoids the damning sexual abuse allegations that haunted Michael Jackson for much of his adult career. That’s true, but audiences are ready to bob their heads to “Billie Jean,” “Thriller” and more monster hits all the same.
Jackson faced investigations and civil lawsuits for decades after he faced allegations that he shared his bed with children. He was acquitted in a closely-watched criminal trial in 2005. He reached settlements with some victims, though he denied all of the allegations of wrongdoing, as does his estate.
Guilty? Innocent? Jackson was a once-in-a-generation talent, and that’s apparently enough even for those disturbed by the allegations.
“Cancel culture” told us we couldn’t, and shouldn’t, forgive artists for personal flaws, or even crimes. And, for the most part, we listened.
Critics complain the film avoids the damning sexual abuse allegations. AFP via Getty Images Woody Allen. Roman Polanski. Morgan Wallen. Johnny Depp. Gina Carano. Roseanne Barr. Louis C.K. All were banished for sins considered so heinous that we couldn’t enjoy their art moving forward.
“Michael” is hardly the only example of consumers overlooking a flawed star’s sins. Take C.K., the comedic juggernaut behind FX’s “Louie” TV series. A 2017 New York Times report alleged that he exposed himself to several women.
The comic confessed during the height of MeToo movement, vowing to go away for a spell. He lost several Hollywood deals, likely worth millions. All he had left was a massive email list of fans and his award-winning wit.
He leveraged the former to rebuild his career. No studio support or press wranglers remained to boost his sales. His fans stood by him, so much so that he sold out Madison Square Garden in 2023 while still unofficially cancelled.
Earlier this month, Netflix announced that it will partner with C.K. for this year’s “Netflix Is a Joke” comic gala and a solo stand-up special exclusively on the streamer.
The people have spoken, looking past his misconduct to savor his caustic take on modern life.
“Michael,” the King of Pop’s glossy biopic, was forceast to make more than $70 million in the US. AP Director Brett Ratner’s “Rush Hour” franchise gave him the key to Hollywood, but 2017’s MeToo revolution brought unsavory allegations to the surface. Several starlets, including Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge, alleged that Ratner had sexually harassed them, or far worse. Ratner denied all of the accusations “categorically.”
Ratner’s career cratered. His 2021 comeback attempt to direct the Milli Vanilli story fizzled. Then the Trumps selected Ratner to helm “Melania,” a behind-the-scenes account of the First Lady’s return to the Oval Office.
“Melania” earned more than $16 million at theaters earlier this year, a massive haul for a documentary. Conservatives were so eager to learn about the reclusive First Lady that they looked past Ratner’s problematic past.
Barr, too, is having the last laugh. She moved to Austin, Texas, and became part of Joe Rogan’s comedy troupe at his Comedy Mothership club. The combustible star can say whatever she wants at his woke-free venue.
Country crooner Morgan Wallen had the quickest Cancel Culture recovery. In 2021, a private video leaked showing Wallen uttering the “n-word,” although not directed toward any black person. His career collapsed and he conducted a short, sorrowful apology tour.
Yet his ardent fans accepted his mea culpa, and before long, his career had grown even bigger than before.
It’s ironic that Hollywood has done little to battle cancel culture, yet it has a vested interest in letting troubled artists off the hook.
Some movie fans will never forgive “Hanoi Jane” Fonda for her Vietnam War-era activism. Troubled stars like Shia LaBeouf and Ezra Miller pray their off-screen antics don’t stop audiences from sampling their films.
The new Apple TV+ original film, “Outcome” features a scene where director/co-star Jonah Hill’s character, a celebrity fixer, weighs in on this age-old question. The story follows an A-list actor (Keanu Reeves) worried that an embarrassing video clip could cancel his career.
Hill’s character drives a car with a bumper sticker that reads, “Honk if you can separate the art from the artist.”
The people have spoken, or better yet, honked their answer.
Christian Toto is the founder of HollywoodInToto.com and the host of The Hollywood in Toto Podcast.
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