The Dishmaster

Only in Hollywood would a major movie studio continue to employ a reprehensible, abusive director for their own financial gain. It is widely known via reports from George Clooney and a leaked video from a heated exchange with Lily Tomlin that David O’ Russell emotionally abuses both his costars and crew. In fact, Clooney candidly admitted in a Playboy interview that he once took the director by throat on the set of ‘The Three Kings’ in an attempt to choke him, saying he was “going to kill him.” The confrontation was sparked from a previous exchange in which Clooney warned Russell not to “push or humiliate people who aren’t allowed to defend themselves.” When Russell continued his bad behavior, Clooney lost it. The movie nearly shut down as a result. Though some have attempted to suggest that Russell is reformed, leaked Sony emails reveal otherwise.

In an email exchange between journalist to his brother in law, Sony Entertainment CEO and chair Michael Lynton, Atler detailed similar behavior on the set of ‘American Hustle,” claiming “He grabbed one guy by the collar, cursed out people repeatedly in front of others and so abused Amy Adams that Christian Bale got in his face and told him to stop acting like an a—hole.” And now — Adams confirmed the story in her own interview. According to Adams, she said she was “devastated” on set nearly every day, and she could not stand to watch others “treated badly.” Though Jennifer Lawrence has defended Russell, Adams says Lawrence is “teflon” and she is not.

While I do not condone hacking into the emails of others, there is great pleasure in holding Sony accountable for their abhorrent hiring practices at the expense of their employees. Some things are more important than money, and if your director is disrespecting your cast and crew, it’s your responsibility to step in. No actor should ever work with this man again — including Jennifer Lawrence.

Hollywood might have convinced us that cinched waists, bird legs, and tiny noses are all the rage, but what happens when we call upon our A-listers for bio-pic roles that are based on people who actually looked normal? When everyone looks the same, who can step in? The trailer was released for the new Nina Simone film starring Zoe Saldana, and Simone’s estate has bluntly voiced their displeasure, which actually began in 2012 when Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, told The New York Times that her “mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide [and] her skin was too dark. Appearance-wise, [Zoe Saldana] is not the best choice.” But the controversy goes a step further. Instead of simply accepting that Saldana doesn’t look like Simone, they darkened her skin and gave her a prosthetic nose, much to the dismay of both the public and the estate.

There are two issues here. First, is it wrong to use “blackface” when the actress is black, or is it only offensive when a white person does it? The history of blackface is worth noting before that question gets answered. The theatrical makeup (which included burnt cork and greasepaint) was used by white performers during the 19th century in minstrel shows where white men donned black makeup with exaggerated features and acted out offensive stereotypes of black people, most notoriously “Jim Crow” and “Zip Coon”. By 1840, black performers were also engaging in the practice, which was later condemned by other black leaders, including abolitionist leader Frederick Douglas. When Vaudeville entered the scene in the 1880’s, black performers were only allowed on stage in “blackface,” and this is how many black performers got their start. The practice now considered racist, and rightfully so (just ask Harry Connick Jr.).

It goes without saying that this is a lazy casting choice. The filmmakers would have been far better off doing the leg-work required in finding an on-point unknown that is perfect for the part, or perhaps just cast the very talented Viola Davis. But since Zoe Saldana was chosen, let’s answer the question. While it might not be AS offensive for a black person to don blackface, it’s still offensive. It’s also a poor creative choice, because it’s extremely distracting. Zoe is talented enough to take us inside this role without looking exactly like Nina Simone. Furthermore, let this be a lesson to every actress who has relinquished their larger nose in favor of traditionally white standards of beauty. This is your face. And there is no need to remove its character. Sure I’m a biased person with a large schnoz, but I can play Streisand if they need me.