Friday, February 15, 2013

JODIE FOSTER

At the recent Golden Globes, Jodie Foster said that she valued "privacy above all else," and joked about the fact that "every celebrity is expected to honor the details of their private life with a press conference, a fragrance and a prime-time reality show."

She went on about being single, mentioned her ex-partner, her friendship with Mel Gibson, and why she hadn't ever come out publicly about her two kids, her mom's dementia, and her temptation to quit acting.

The audience was riveted.

She looked like a star ought to look -- fashionable, feminine, pulled together. She seemed to be speaking directly to us, at one point even appeared to wipe away a tear.

What fascinates me about Foster?  The mish-mash of characters she's played -- in "Silence of the Lambs," the elegant, brave, persevering Clarice -- in "Taxi," that boyish, prepubescent, wonderfully wise kid. Though the two Jodies re-appear in many other films, they're never distractingly similar, and they're believable, freshly convincing.

Yes, reverberating in the background, there's Hinckley (that guy who tried to kill Ronald Reagan), who said he did it to impress Jodie Foster. Also other tidbits -- Jodie graduating from Yale -- Jodie sharing her life with a girl friend, not a husband -- the fact that she has two sons.

The long list of films in which she's played significant roles, the many awards she's won, her many nominations as best an actress, her directing credits -- her down-to earth, business-woman's acumen is evident in her career, and her private life.

Anyhow, during her Golden Globes speech, after calling her girl friend "my righteous soul sister in life," Jodie thanked Mel Gibson as one of the people who "saved" her.

Whoa!  Was it a religious reference?  I remember reading that Foster has said that she is an atheist, that she and her children celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah.

Why was Mel at the Golden Globes?  Was he trying to rebuild his name?  Did he know he was going to be  mentioned?

Hmm.

The idea of Jodie and Gibson is stuck in my mind. She directed and co-starred with Mel in "The Beaver," back in 2010, when the Catholic Mel had already divorced his wife of many years, beat up his girl friend, had public tantrums, and condemned Jews.  The charming, handsome, multi-talented Mel, back then, was already the off-his-rocker-Mel, whose horrific actions destroyed his stardom.

How many other folks -- seeing Mel in the audience looking very surprised -- did the math, and wondered if he'd fathered one of her kids? (Got to admit, I checked -- one is 14, the other is 12).

Pardonnez moi, for my typical fan thoughts -- I can't help picturing them cuddling -- Jodie's been telling us that she's a babe who does whatever she feels like doing. 
   .
Hey, the real Jodie is the wise kid, the grown up brave woman with a super smart mind of her own, and the ability to make choices, and go for what feels right. Yep, I think Jodie Foster really is Nell -- a very powerful woman who doesn't need approval from anyone.

Like "Nell" in the film.
    

9 comments:

Peggy Bechko said...

I always figure a star's personal life is not my business - unless of course I get to know him or her and that then becomes a friendship which is a different ball of wax. That said, I've loved Foster's work and I think there is a bit of "Nim's Island" in there as well.

Carola said...

I think I agree with Peggy.

Anonymous said...

Great tribute to Jodi Foster. I love her and all the movies she has been in. Silence of the Lambs was one of my favoite. She is a rightous know kind of woman star and captures the viewer with her elegance and style. I am glad she got this award and deserves a BRAVO! kam

Mary Russell said...

I thought her speech was wonderful, a little rambling at times, but she was dead right. Her private life is no one's business but her own so I thought it was great when she said, "Yes, I can finally confirm that I am...single". Not sure about hitching her wagon to Mel Gibson though as he's definitely a persona non grata in Hollywood after his anti-semitic rants. :/

Linda Phillips said...

I have been aware that Jodie was a lesbian for a very long time. I always hoped that she would come out publicly to further the cause of the LGBT community.

Her coming out at the Globes was rather ambiguous, but what bothers me is her support of Mel Gibson and her obvious closeness with him. My only guess is that he fathered her children.

Gibson is such a hateful individual,and Jody has always come across as a nice person (but who really knows what she is like?).

Unknown said...

Wow Em! My husband and I actually watched Jodi’s speech with great interest. It NEVER occurred to me that Mel could be the father of one of kids. The thought certainly has me wondering though… I repeat WOW. I have to say though (although it’s not really related to this), poor old Mel has lost it a bit…respect, a wife, a girlfriend and some of his marbles…but I admire Jodi a lot so I hope if she’s an influence at all in his life she can help him to try and appreciate what he once had and I don’t mean as the public Mel. It was such a shame he lost his way.

Gus said...

She is forever a genius!

Anonymous said...

A stars business is a stars business-personal and none of my business unless I know the person.

The media are pros at flipping this and making it our business. I guess that's some of the fallout of being in the limelight.

I enjoyed some of the movies Jodie Foster has starred in. Silence of the Lambs and Contact come to mind. Great actress.

Julian Speed

Unknown said...

Emily as I said in my tweet this is speculative. Based on my former life as a licensed Private Detective which you can find an old ugly pic of me here on that license http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheyenne-Wolf/366624813408282 grins feel free to like my new author page if you want.
I believe that Jodi is a very kind, loving caring individual. She's been an actor since childhood. As you pointed out what Hinckley did in her name when she was still a child taught her the value of guarding her private life as well as caring for her friends and family. Mel Gibson and Jodi are friends and both have been in this business for a very long time. I believe that Mel's anti-semite comments were not actually directed at a whole nationality of people but more likely a rage against the machine. Nobody can or will deny that those who control the projects in Hollywood are of Jewish descent. I believe that both Jodi Foster and Mel Gibson have hit brick walls concerning projects they loved and that is the bottom line in this support she publicly shows to him. Who is the father of her children? I have no true answer on that question and it truly is not my business but I wouldn't mind speculating that she had a wonderful and joyous time creating her children because the alternative is a cold doctors office and I wouldn't want that for her. As always my love to you and John. I keep waiting for the tweet that says Chey I finally have an answer to your question about which was my husbands favorite role to play. xoxo