THE 
June 14, 2007 The Mighty Heart Controversy
The new Daniel Pearl based movie, A Mighty Heart, will probably be a success due to its subject matter and lead actress—Angelina Jolie. Ever since the announcement of Angelina Jolie’s appearance as Mariane Pearl—Daniel Pearl’s wife—there has been flack from black activists and movie goers alone who are miffed at her playing the role of a black woman. The upset stems from the fact that there are so many black actresses waiting for their opportunity on screen, especially a noteworthy one in a powerhouse film, and the glass ceiling is too hard to break. Usually black female roles are hard to come by, and normally they are filled by the same people over and over, but it’s rare that you see them handed over to someone of another race.
In a released statement, here’s what Mariane had to say about the casting decision:
“I am delighted that Angelina Jolie will be playing my role in the adaptation of my book,” Pearl said in a statement. “I deeply admire her work and what she is committed to.”
The interesting thing to keep in mind is that Halle Berry was also cast in Dreamworks’ new film Class Act. It’s based on the life of a Nevada teacher, Tierney Cahill, who was challenged to run for Congress in 2000 by her sixth grade class. Tierney Cahill is a white woman. Take note that equal resistance has not been posed about her playing such a character. A Mighty Heart hits limited release on June 22 here in the States, so we’ll see if Angelina proves herself to her critics. She is talented, and being that she is who she is, controversy will only fuel the buzz, not squash her success.
So this raises the question about the industry and race. When is acting about acting alone? At what point, if ever, is it important to draw distinctions between who could play a role because they are talented and who should play a role because it makes more sense? Who can pin point the difference where granting a black woman a breakthrough role is indeed a breakthrough and doing the same for a white woman is disrespectful? What do you think?
ART
June 14, 2007 at 9:43 pm
I remember when it was announced that she would play this role. And after numerous debates and conversations with friends, many of whom are black actresses, I am still torn on the issue. One thing I DO know though, race aside, is having her play this part will catapult the film into a whole different category. She is one of the top actresses in the world right now, like it or not. With her behind this film, not only will it make more money, but so many people will go and see this great story. If you look at it that way, I think that’s probably the most important thing: people should know about this woman and her life. Period.
bambam
June 15, 2007 at 2:30 am
I second that! Art!
La La
June 15, 2007 at 9:24 am
I agree with you Art. I would also like to add that Angelina Jolie playing Marianne Pearl and Halle Berry playing a white woman is like Denzel Washington getting offers to play roles of white men and Jodie Foster getting roles designed for men. Every time this happens I feel it helps tear down the boundaries of sex and color, bringing us one step closer to how the world SHOULD see and what we ought to actually focus on – the essence of the person, not the look.
Kat
June 15, 2007 at 9:58 am
If it was anyone other than Angela Jolie, I might be upset. But she’s my idle, so what the hey!
Cha Cha Loca
June 15, 2007 at 11:28 am
When you consider that Mariane is Afro-Cuban and Dutch, anyone could have played her so this really is a non-issue.
Rikki
June 15, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I definitely believe that Angelina is the right person for the role and am a black female. I have no problem with it….she’s super talented and this film means something to her, she’s not just doing it for the money. I can’t think of any black person I’d give this role to.
ttime
June 15, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Well, Halle is part white, so its not like its a complete turn around. There is no black nothing in Angelina, but hey if she can pull it off, i say do it! As a black woman i could honestly care less.