Date: Thu, 1 Jun 1995 13:36:14 -0400
From: Gabo3@aol.com

New York Newsday - Thursday, June 1, 1995
GAYS SHOULD BEWARE OF MEN IN KILTS
by Gabriel Rotello

	New York - Film critics are falling all over themselves to bestow blurbable
superlatives on "Braveheart," the blood drenched epic directed by, and
starring, Mel Gibson. But one superlative they've all managed to miss is
"most homophobic film of the year." That's disappointing. If Braveheart had
ridiculed any other minority the way it ridicules gays, most critics would
have been quick to cry foul.
	"Braveheart" tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish rebel who leads
a revolt against King Edward I of England. Aside from revolt in the north,
King Edward has a pressing problem back home. His son, the prince, is a
queen. And not just a sissy, but a sissy with a clear dramatic purpose,
namely to inspire revulsion and contempt in the audience. Prince Edward and
his overly prettified male lover are so cowardly and whining and fey compared
to the ax wielding bravehearted he-men who populate - and to an extent
depopulate - thirteenth century Britain that I wouldn't be surprised if even
some gay audience members feel a shiver of disdain.
	When we first meet the pouting prince he is getting married to a lovely
princess while casting longing glances at his male lover. The audience at the
screening I attended snickered. When the king orders him to do something
about Wallace's rebellion and he lisps, "I shall convene my military
council," the audience roared. When a lady in waiting whispers to the
prince's love-starved wife that, with any luck, Prince Eddie will be killed
in battle, another roar. When the king decides not to send Eddie north to
negotiate with Wallace because "the sight of my gentle son would encourage an
enemy to take over the whole country," yet another roar. 
	At one point the prince and his lover traipse about the castle in full drag
while a page struggles to carry a full length mirror in front of them so they
can admire themselves as they preen. If this is some kind of statement about
male narcissism, director Gibson  - all hair extensions and million dollar
close-ups - is hardly one to talk. Finally, when the prince's boyfriend
offers the king his (obviously ridiculous) military services and the king
puts his fatherly arm around the youth's shoulder, walks him to a tower
window and shoves him to his death, it's so funny it'll kill you.
	Lest anyone think this is somehow unintentional, Mel Gibson's notoriously
anti-gay  remarks to the Spanish newspaper El Pais a few years ago leave no
question about his brazen homophobia. 
	And lest anyone think that this characterization of Prince Edward was
dictated by historical accuracy, "Braveheart" hardly follows the history
books in this respect. True, Prince Edward had a favorite, Piers Gaveston,
and their stormy relationship eventually contributed to Edward's downfall -
years after King Edward's death (Gaveston was never shoved out a window by
the king). But according to the Encyclopedia Britannica - a solid source on
British history if there ever was one - Prince Edward was "physically strong
and...primarily interested in such rustic pursuits as making ditches." That
hardly sounds like the mincing drag queen depicted in the film to me.
	Not that there's not anything wrong with drag queens or, for that matter,
effeminate gay characters (even though it's annoying that so many directors
still feel that the only way to depict gay men is with a lisp). Or even, for
that matter, villains who happen to be gay. What's wrong is deliberately
exploiting prejudicial stereotypes in a manner designed to elicit hatred and
contempt of an entire group. In Braveheart, Prince Edward is not a villain
who happens to be gay. He's villainous and despicable *because* he's gay. 
	The critics should have given Mel Gibson a cat o' nine tails upside the head
for this one. Instead they cheered. No doubt he'll make millions. 

Copyright 1995 - Gabriel Rotello
(Gabriel Rotello's column appears every Thursday in New York Newsday. His
email address is gabo3@aol.com)