Polanski: Genius and Criminal

I just want to go on the record as saying I think Roman Polanski is one of the greatest filmmakers who ever lived and he totally belongs in jail. Yes, it's possible to hold the two thoughts in your head at one time. Like, say, acknowledging the merit in both Republican and Democratic notions, or recognizing the value in both Shakespeare's sonnets and "Greek" on ABC Family.

"Chinatown" is one of the greatest movies ever made and its director drugged and raped a seventh grader. The two are allowed to co-exist.

I recently heard someone ask why Polanski should have to answer for his crime when Ted Kennedy bounced back from Chappaquiddick. Instead of slapping that person across the face with an open palm like I wanted, I simply pointed out that Kennedy, while being wrong for what he did, stuck around and answered for it. No one doubts his last name played a role in keeping the book from being thrown at him but still...the man didn't high-tail it to France for 32 years.

Polanski, after having been convicted, split for Europe where he's evaded jail time longer than I've been alive. If he'd stayed, he probably would have served his sentence and been out in no time flat because, let's be honest, he was convicted in Los Angeles where even when you stabbed your wife and another guy you can get out of it.

So yes, the man is both a genius and a criminal. Believing both to be true is allowed. Just like it's OK to think Martin Scorsese is both awesome and kind of a tool for signing a petition demanding that Polanski be freed. Marty...seriously? Unless you only want him free so you can unleash Joe Pesci on him with a baseball bat. In that case, I might be with you.