Reading between the lines and the narrowing of spaces

Ilove Kevin Spacey. On screen. I love it when he smiles and his side dimples crumple up: adorable, with a hint of sardonicism. His is the first name I blurt out whenever someone asks who my all-time favourite actor is; then, I wonder why I name him given I’ve not watched too many of his films (I can count them on my fingertips). Maybe it’s just the impact he’s had on me with his brilliance in The Usual Suspects, American Beauty and L.A. Confidential. His role as US President Frank Underwood in House

of Cards — that I’ve binge-watched, all five seasons — despite his fuming machinations and table-thumping theatrics — is so him. Like when he says, “There’s no better way to overpower a trickle of doubt than with a flood of naked truth” in Season 3, Episode 6 — if you’ve been following his recent confessions, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

These days, I’m also wondering if House of Cards — on its way to its final season — will be Spacey’s swansong; will his career come crashing down after allegations of a molestation attempt, 31 years ago, went viral — alongside an apology tendered by him which, in turn, validates the accusation? Soon after, two others from the film frat — an actor and a filmmaker — have also alleged indiscretions on Spacey’s part. From the looks of it, more murky accusations will play a starring part in his life.

Already, the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences — that organises the Emmys — has announced that the “founders award” that was going to be presented to him at the International Emmy Awards Gala later this month will now be rescinded. And Media Rights Capital, the producer of House

of Cards, and Netflix (the parent channel of the show) released a joint statement a few days ago, saying, “In response to… revelations [Anthony Rapp claiming Spacey tried to have his way with him when he was 14 and the latter 26, in 1986], executives from both of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon to meet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue to feel safe and supported.” That’s almost like saying out aloud a sexual predator — Spacey — could be on the prowl, so take out your safety net.

All in all, he seems well on the path to becoming persona non grata.

I was speaking with someone about how allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood are getting such delayed releases — everything appears to be a throwback from years and years ago.

Her response: It’s still a great show of strength — to be able to speak out now. Me: But why wait so long to speak out? She: Because others are talking about it too — everyone suddenly feels empowered. There’s less shame when there are others to share it. (Cf: “The best thing about human beings is that they stack so neatly” — Frank

Underwood, House of Cards, Season 3, Episode 1.) Me: But why should there be shame in the first place? There’s nothing shameful about the fact that someone tried to molest you — it’s horrific, needs to talked about and action taken.

She: Maybe there were constraints… Maybe the “victims” didn’t want to incur the displeasure of these people in power who were doing this to them — because that may have put them out in the cold in the industry. (Cf: “For those of us climbing to the top of the food chain, there can be no mercy. There is but one rule: hunt or be hunted” — Frank Underwood, House of Cards, Season 2, Episode 1.)

Me: But why be part of an industry where you are “victimised”?

She: Maybe because it was important for them to succeed.

Me: But what if the Harvey Weinstein exposé hadn’t happened? None of this — including Spacey’s indiscretions — would have been out in the open

The discussion ended right there.

But here’s my extra two cents in any case: while what Kevin Spacey did is horrific and condemnable, it’s because of the reluctance — for opportunistic or circumstantial reasons — of “victims” to speak out that he and his ilk assume they can get away with it and, therefore, get mired in the institutionalisation of sexual oneupmanship. (Cf: “The road to power is paved with hypocrisy, and casualties. Never regret” — Frank

Underwood, House of Cards, Season 2, Episode 9) Why did it need a Harvey Weinstein to jimmy the can of worms? And how long is the shelf life of this can of worms? Will sexual assault stop now? How do we know it’s not happening right now, even as you read this? Will the victims be reporting this only when there’s “safety in numbers” and “when the time is right”? Why can’t we be more proactive, speak out, stem the rot, instead of being reactive and tweeting “#MeToo” and then sitting back to see how many people ‘Like’ our hashtag? (Cf: “I have often found that bleeding hearts have an ironic fear of their own blood” — Frank Underwood, House of Cards, Season 2, Episode 2)

Imagine what would have happened if Anthony Rapp had outed Spacey in 1986. Spacey’s Hollywood aspirations would probably have been nipped in the bud. (Cf: “It only takes ten seconds to crush a man’s ambitions” — Frank Underwood, House of Cards, Season 3, Episode 13). And an entire generation of us would have not gotten used to his greatness — only to have it snatched away.

While what Kevin Spacey did is horrific and condemnable, it’s because of the reluctance — for opportunistic or circumstantial reasons — of “victims” to speak out that he and his ilk assume they can get away with it