Ars Gratia Artis, People!

Heard a little snippet this morning that gave me the irrits somewhat.  Apparently Cate Blanchet's chances of an Oscar for the film 'Blue Jasmine' might be compromised by the allegations of sexual abuse against Woody Allen raised in an open letter by his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow.  Look, I don't know if Allen is guilty of the allegations or not.  He has never been charged with anything, it should be pointed out.  Having sexual activity with your partner's daughter from a prior relationship is a tad yucky, but then, not illegal (and for all I know commonplace in the Appalachian Mountains).  It would appear in the light of Dylan's open letter that anything associated with Allen at this year's Oscars is a bit tainted, and will become a political hot potato.  Why do people insist on clouding the judgement of the art's merit with the proclivities of the artist?  Is the Academy going to let the 'ick' factor influence its decision?  Let's face it, they don't always get it right.  'Forrest Gump' over 'Pulp Fiction', anyone? (Shit, that one's going to confound me to the grave).  Gwyneth Paltrow for 'Shakespeare in Love' over Cate Blanchet for 'Elizabeth', anyone?  (Another one that will confound me to the grave).  I haven't actually seen 'Blue Jasmine' myself, yet, but if Cate genuinely is the deserving winner, then give her the frigging Oscar!  Just because the film has been directed by someone who is a bit persona not grata, that has nothing to do with Cate.  Why give an inferior product an award because of political correctness?  If I go to the art gallery and see a painting of Renaissance calibre, with amazing use of light and shade and brush strokes, with a beauty that brings to the eyes (Picture A); and then look at a painting that looks like a blind toddler's finger painting (Picture B), am I to suddenly not like Picture A over Picture B because Picture A turns out to be produced by a sleazy criminal whilst Picture B has been produced by a choir boy who does nice things for old people?  Something to remember, Roman Polanski was given an award for 'The Piano'.  He was actually given a standing ovation by the people in the venue.  These people seem to have forgotten he plied a 13yo with drugs and alcohol, and stuck his dick anywhere he could find available on her person.  However, I have no problem with him getting his award if his picture was genuinely the best one.  It's about the ART.  I would not have joined in a standing ovation.  If I was handing him the statuette, I would have slammed it into his hand and said, 'Here's your award.  If I see you near my daughter I will force-feed you your own testicles.  Now fuck off.'


And RIP to Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Shit, I am so saddened by his death.  He was one of my favourite actors of this generation.  He was fantastic.  He didn't mind taking on 'out there' roles in potentially controversial films.  Has anybody ever seen 'Happiness'?  This is a very brave film in that it deals with child abuse, and whilst not in a light-hearted manner, does not portray the perpetrator has a boogie-man in a raincoat, either.  Hoffman wasn't that character, he was someone else.  From memory, a loser that masturbated whilst making dirty phone calls. 


Thanks for the great body of work, PSH!