Exactly What Roman Polanski Did
Bonnie Goldstein
Woman Up Editor
Posted:
10/1/09
You said it, Mary. I understand the political and community cohesiveness that prompts residents
of Hollywood (or Hackensack, for that matter), to publicly support a person whose work they admire and whose company they enjoy. We all occasionally refuse to focus on unflattering or boorish behavior in the haze of our affection or awe for someone we care for.But I also believe in understanding what you are fighting for, and I suggest the friends of Roman Polanski, if they can stand it, read several pages of the unsealed testimony by the 13-year-old child before they sign any petitions. (Melinda in deference to your squeamishness, I want to warn you, the following and the text filled links are NSFW ). In the transcript, the child, clearly uncomfortable, describes to Los Angeles County grand jury members how Polanski gave her champagne and a sedative, then removed her panties (she later put them back on, only to have him again remove them), and then performed oral sex on her (she mispronounced the clinical term as "cuddliness".) He also penetrated her, and, after asking if she was taking birth control (no), he sodomized her. Before the kings of Hollywood and editorial writers excuse him completely, they should also note she repeatedly said "No," "C'mon, stop it," and "I want to go home." (Polanski pleaded guilty to a single charge of unlawful intercourse.)
The movie-making culture is known for its excess, so perhaps that influence makes its denizens more willing to forgive or forget. As Mary noted, some of Polanski's supporters, including Harvey Weinstein and Woody Allen have, from time to time, also displayed some lack of judgment. Perhaps they now deeply regret their unfortunate acts -- especially those that became bad for business. (I'm fairly certain that if the Mamas and Papas founder John Phillips were alive, he'd wish he'd prevented Mick Jagger from having sex with his teenage daughter -- not to mention his own drug-addled further despoilment.)
Maybe in three decades since Polanski fled Los Angeles, he has found rectitude and drawn boundaries in a life once punctuated by Rorer 714's washed down with champagne. Everybody makes mistakes, and I believe in redemption. If the multilingual, internationally acclaimed director, who has since become the father of a daughter, could find it in his vocabulary to admit his behavior was despicable or that he is deeply ashamed, I might believe him.
Until then, his legal troubles are his to resolve. His lawyer, Reid Weingarten, is a well-connected and ferocious criminal defense lawyer, so Polanski very likely will, in time, be in position to collect another Oscar at the Kodak Theater, this time in person, whether he's actually sorry or not.
Until then, his legal troubles are his to resolve. His lawyer, Reid Weingarten, is a well-connected and ferocious criminal defense lawyer, so Polanski very likely will, in time, be in position to collect another Oscar at the Kodak Theater, this time in person, whether he's actually sorry or not.