Is Hacksaw Ridge Going To Be Mel Gibson's Big Comeback?

Mel Gibson has been persona non grata in Hollywood for some years now, following his famous and very public meltdown.

But some critics are now saying he could be welcomed back into the fold, following what appear to be blazing reviews of his new movie ‘Hacksaw Ridge’.

In Variety, Owen Gleiberman writes: “It will likely prove to be the first film in a decade that can mark his re-entry into the heart of the industry.

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“Yet to say that ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ finally leaves the Gibson scandals behind isn’t quite right; it has been made in their shadow. On some not-so-hard-to-read level, the film is conceived and presented as an act of atonement.”

He adds: “It immerses you in the violent madness of war – and, at the same time, it roots its drama in the impeccable valor of a man who, by his own grace, refuses to have anything to do with war.”

So far the reviews for the Second World War movie, which stars Andrew Garfield in the true story of an army medic and conscientious objector who refused to bear arms, but was still given the Medal of Honor for his service, are hugely positive.

It held its premiere yesterday at the Venice Film Festival, with some drawing comparisons with Spielberg’s benchmark ‘Saving Private Ryan’, due to its brutal and unflinchingly violent portrayal of war.

The screening also received a rapturous 10-minute standing ovation.

In The Guardian, Andrew Pulver writes: “As repellent a figure as many may still find Gibson, I have to report he’s absolutely hit Hacksaw Ridge out of the park.

“Gibson is a man looking for redemption, and in this redemptive vision he may just have found it.”

Screen International adds: “’Hacksaw Ridge’ returns to the themes which have professionally and personally motivated 60-year-old Gibson for his entire life; he’s never been subtle, but he’s certainly effective when it comes to delivering his heart-felt message.”

It’s been a decade since Gibson’s last directorial jaunt, 2006’s ambitious ‘Apocalypto’, which came out at the beginning of his personal issues.

Gibson was recording hurling anti-semitic abuse at a LAPD officer after being arrested for DUI in July, 2006.

He separated from his wife of 26-years Robyn Gibson that same year, paying out one of the highest Hollywood divorce settlements of all time, around $400 million, in 2011.

He hit headlines again the year before after his new partner, the pianist Oksana Grigorieva, filed a restraining order against him.

Recordings were also released of his making threatening phone calls to Grigorieva, in which he used racist language.

Hollywood has largely shunned the actor and director since, though friends like Whoopi Goldberg and Jodie Foster have publicly defended him.

‘Hacksaw Ridge’, which also stars Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving and Teresa Palmer, is due out in the UK in November.

Image credits: Summit/AP