Helena Bonham Carter boasts an exceptional acting prowess, deserving of accolades and industry recognition. However, from my perspective, her cultural insights are not as remarkable as her acting achievements.
In an interview with The Times, Helena Bonham Carter spoke positively about her partner Johnny Depp, who also serves as the godfather to her children. Many may recall Helena and Johnny as integral members of the light-gothic trio they formed with Bonham Carter's former partner, Tim Burton.
During the 2000s, the Burton clan was so prolific that it even became the subject of a Ricky Gervais jest: "And, of course, Helena Bonham Carter is Johnny Depp's counterpart in Tim Burton's latest film." It might not be groundbreaking humor, but the gist is clear.
So, it comes as no surprise that Bonham Carter vocally supported her longtime friend Johnny in her recent interview with The Times. Depp, as you may remember, became embroiled in a highly-publicized legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
Following a British court's ruling in favor of The Sun's description of Depp as a "wife beater," the Pirates of the Caribbean star brought his defamation lawsuit to the United States, targeting Heard over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed on domestic violence. Depp alleged that her words defamed him by insinuating he had abused her during their marriage.
This legal saga eventually ended with the court determining that both Depp and Heard had defamed each other. Although the verdict was somewhat murky and confusing, Heard is currently appealing it. However, it was misconstrued as a moral victory for Depp, who shifted the narrative on the stand, portraying himself as a male victim of domestic violence at the hands of Heard.
The Depp vs. Heard case centered on defamation rather than assigning victim or abuser roles. Yet, it resulted in a social media narrative that painted Heard, lacking Depp's charisma, wealth, star power, fan base, and influence, as the vilified woman everyone loved to hate.
Heard became the 21st-century version of the femme fatale archetype, blamed for the downfall of an innocent man through her alleged deceit and malice. She was held accountable for every aspect of Depp's career's decline, obscuring the seriousness of his alleged aggression, cruelty, misogyny, vanity, and profligacy in the eyes of his admirers, who had initially been enamored by his soft-spoken demeanor, striking androgynous beauty, and "old school" manners.
The prevailing sentiment was, "We are not wrong, we can identify a domestic abuser when we see one, we won't be beguiled by beauty and fame." It was all squarely laid at Heard's feet.
And, it appears that Bonham Carter shares this perspective. She believes that the American verdict "vindicated" Depp. Heard, on her part, aligned herself with the #MeToo movement, positioning herself as a symbol of domestic abuse.
Putting aside the fact that Heard's restraining order against Depp predates the #MeToo movement's prominence, Bonham Carter's stance seems to echo the idea that revealing partner violence isn't a victory for any woman.
Years ago, when I confronted a senior colleague about harassment, I sought advice from a higher-ranking woman. She was fraught with anxiety. What should she do?
I was already aware that reporting harassment could be detrimental to one's career. Having worked in various industries since my teenage years, I knew that harassers were often treated more favorably than whistleblowers, who, in my experience, were often ostracized in the workplace.
If I was seeking solace, I was left disappointed. She shared her own experiences, recounting incidents of harassment akin to a comedy sketch. She responded to my explicit messages with her own tales of harassment. It felt like a grim contest to determine who had endured the worst silent harassment. "You'll fare worse if you complain," she cautioned. "Keep quiet, keep your head down, and be pleasant," she advised. "Women who speak out about these things don't fare well."
Regrettably, as many women have discovered to their detriment, she was correct. Heard's public ordeal serves as a stark reminder that my former colleague's words still hold true. Despite the #MeToo and #EnoughisEnough movements, women still must carefully choose their words.
Even months after the trial's conclusion, Heard continues to be ridiculed. However, Bonham Carter seems unfazed, asserting to The Times that the U.S. libel verdict has "completely vindicated" Depp. The televised trial exposed the unsavory aspects of Depp's behavior, such as explicit text messages, bullying, racism, and misogyny, but Bonham Carter remains undeterred. She commented to The Times, "I think he is fine now. Totally fine."
