Which adjective is usually used to describe Hollywood? If you guessed "liberal," you win a cookie. We've all heard about "liberal" Hollywood, filled with far left-wing actors who gain national attention for their activist causes. But what of the conservative and/or Republican actors in Hollywood? Is Hollywood truly as liberal as the mainstream media would have us believe? Writer/director Jesse Moss attempts to answer this question in his documentary Rated R: Republicans in Hollywood. What we learn is ultimately unsatisfying.
Before turning to filmmaking, Moss was a Democratic activist and speechwriter (and is still a Democrat). Having been involved with Democratic political campaigns, Moss frames his film around the campaign and eventual election of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Governor of the State of California on Oct. 7, 2003. Given that Schwarzenegger is such a well-known Republican, would his election bring Hollywood actors who are conservative Republicans "out of the closet"?
Along the campaign trail we meet several Republican actors. Moss opens with an interview with actor/comedian Drew Carey, who makes the claim that when he speaks out in support of the war in Iraq, or in favor of gun ownership, it has the effect of hurting his chances at finding work in Hollywood. Given Carey's huge success, I have to wonder why he would think his political opinions would harm his career. Moss doesn't challenge him on this assertion, which is a problem throughout Republicans in Hollywood. I can understand Moss wanting to maintain some objectivity in his film, and not add to it his own political opinions as a Democrat, but there are times in the film where an actor/director/writer makes the claim that they have essentially been blacklisted for being a Republican in Hollywood.
We hear about Charlton Heston, and how people in Beverly Hills will not attend a charity function if Heston is present. This, according to film producer Doug Urbanski, who goes on to make the absurd claim that he knows what it's like to be a minority due to his conservative views.
Moss interviews conservative radio talk-show host Michael Medved, who makes the claim that he's been described as "ultra conservative," but that he cannot think of anyone in Hollywood described as "ultra liberal". Which is flat-out ridiculous. Do a Google search with the keywords "ultra liberal Susan Sarandon" and you'll get 23,500 hits, starting with an entry from the conservative web site World Net Daily. Again, Moss does not challenge the assertions made by his interview subjects. Obviously people like Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, and Barbara Streisand have been described as "ultra liberal" many times.
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Article comments
1 - Joanie
Unless Drew Carey declares on camera that he's a Republican, I'd have to disagree with you here. Last I heard, he had stated he's a Libertarian. Sure, sure...conservative...but, still...not a Republican.
2 - Scott C. Smith
You're right, although the film presents Carey as having conservative views (pro guns, pro military) and he does say that if he were to use a label it would be Libertarian...because, as he defined it, a Libertarian is a conservative who smokes pot.
3 - Joanie
This article has been chosen for Ed. Picks
4 - Scott C. Smith
Wow! Thanks!
5 - Eric Berlin
Interesting topic and very well done, Scott! I would have liked to have seen a more penetrating view myself into the myth of liberal Hollywood. My suspicion is that, like so many other things, money drives the bus far more than politics. Look at Michael Moore -- the highest grossing documentary of all time very nearly got produced.
6 - Scott Butki
Good review. Sounds like an interesting movie project. I wonder how many liberal entertainers turn republican as they get more rich.