Executive Rewind: Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon

It was fascinating to watch and listen to Mel Gibson during the Diane Sawyer interview. Reviewing his own, personal crisis, his words and body language frequently clashed. Indeed, he seemed to be squirming at times. His eye contact with Sawyer was inconsistent and even some of the things he said to very direct questions came off as disingenuous.

On the question of apologies, you have to wonder just how sincere Gibson’s been. “I’ve apologized more than anyone I know,” he said, “It’s getting old.”

Sawyer turned to the specific statements Gibson spewed after being arrested. A seemingly more honest response here as Gibson admitted his epithets were anti-Semitic, “It sounds horrible, and I’m ashamed of that.”

While confessing his weakness with alcohol, Gibson seemed to try to make himself the victim, but could not deny what he said had to have come from somewhere deep inside: “It has to have some kind of place, somewhere.”

But the most revealing moment may have been when Sawyer asks him what kind of drunk he is, and where his anger originates. Gibson’s body language is troubling and speaks loudly as he squirms and scratches.

Why did Mel Gibson do this interview? To put the crisis behind him? Hard to tell, but if that was his intention, it didn’t work. His frequent squirming and effort to blame the booze fail to validate any sincerity. How it all ultimately impacts his career remains to be seen. However, if Mel Gibson the actor, producer and director is perceived as a money-maker, Hollywood no doubt will continue to embrace him.