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We saw it with Harvey Weinstein — who enjoyed a prosperous career and untouchable hero status until the #MeToo movement exposed his repfehensible behavior. On a smaller scale — but still a symptom of the same toxic culture in the industry and society at large — we’re seeing it now with Brad Pitt.
How many times have you watched an award show and heard attendees gush about being in the same room as Pitt? Or thanked him in their acceptance speeches? That's because Pitt made himself indispensable to people’s careers and to the industry in general. You might think of him as a 90s - 2000s heartthrob, but he spends more time producing than acting these days. And, most likely, he’s responsible for many of your favorite films.
Plan B, the production company he co-founded with Jennifer Aniston and then assumed control when they split, is known for taking huge swings at movies that have been neglected by other studios. One of their biggest successes was 12 Years A Slave, which went on to win Academy Awards and cement Plan B as a major player in the industry.
So, no wonder nobody wants to say the quiet part out loud: Brad Pitt is an abuser, a bad father, and a prime example that Hollywood will protect its money-making interests at all costs.
What Did Brad Pitt Do
From the outside, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie looked like the perfect Hollywood power couple. Even if you were Team Jennifer Aniston, you had to admit: they were the dream. In 2005, they even did a notorious magazine spread for W Magazine: “Domestic Bliss: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at Home.”
However, when Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, she alleged that she had suffered physical and verbal abuse at the hands of Pitt in front of their children.
The abuse allegations are one factor that’s dragging out their divorce proceedings, as they struggle to gain control of their custody agreement. However, as most of their children are no longer minors, their continued relationship with Jolie and their fractured — in some case estranged — relationship with Pitt tells us all we need to know.
An old screenshot from Pax Jolie-Pitt’s Instagram account recently went viral due to his open vitriol for his father. The screenshot, posted on a Father’s Day to his Instagram story, read:
““Happy Father’s Day to this world class a**hole!! You time and time again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person. You have no consideration or empathy toward your four youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence. You will never understand the damage you have done to my family because you are incapable of doing so. You have made the lives of those closest to me a constant hell. You may tell yourself and the world whatever you want, but the truth will come to light someday. So, Happy Father’s Day, you f***ing awful human being!!!”
Despite all this, Brad Pitt’s career seems unconquerable. He won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a (abusive, racist) stuntman in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time … In Hollywood. People whine about canceled culture but Brad Pitt is proof that it doesn't exist. What happened to believing women? It’s like the industry is saying that people will be held accountable for their actions … unless they’re hot. And although some sputter about separating the artist from their art, the amount of praise and adoration Brad Pitt far outpaces his art.
And now he’s trying to capitalize on the success of his most popular role — Rusty in the Oceans movies — by pairing with George Clooney once again for a new film, Wolfs.
What Is Brad Pitt and George Clooney’s New Movie Wolfs About?
Think, George Clooney in The Ides of March, but a thriller. Directed by Jon Watts, Wolfs stars Brad Pitt and George Clooney alongside Amy Ryan and Austin Abrams. The duo play two lone wolf fixers who are assigned to the same job. It’s slated for a September 20th release with the first teaser dropping on May 28th.
It’s brooding. It’s gritty. It seems like it will draw entirely on the pair’s history and chemistry. The teaser trailer is just the two of them sitting in silence in a car, sharing in comical discomfort. But I’m not laughing.
While all the reports are celebrating their reunion after 16 years in 2008's — Burn After Reading — none are questioning Brad Pitt’s recent penchant for buddy-thrillers. He’s trying to keep us on his side. And with Hollywood firmly in his corner, they’re more than happy to make mountains of money while sweeping his behavior under the rug.
Anyone could’ve played this role. Instead, the industry would rather protect one of their own and try to distract from the newscycle by feeding us this nostalgic pairing.
Watch the full trailer here (and throw tomatoes at your screen, like me):
In some ways, I understand. It’s hard to believe your heroes are capable of doing such awful things — especially when they continue to support underrepresented groups and produce admirable work. But this support is akin to blood money. This is all to say: Boycott Brad Pitt.
Nicola Coughlan probably also had something to do with it — who doesn’t love that tiny Irish woman? After playing “the wee Lesbian” in Derry Girls, she’s the People’s Princess. Nod to mention Bridgerton’s breakout underdog. For her, I’d endure a lot. Even a friends-to-lovers plotline. In theory.
But not the season we got, it left much to be desired. Yes, we got an soaring strings rendition of a Pitbull song and a few golden Kanthony scenes. But the main couple’s storyline was underdeveloped and underwhelming. Let’s get into it.
What Is Bridgerton Season 3 About?
BridgertonNetflix
It’s no secret that Bridgerton is for the girls. And it’s not just because of the Empire waist dresses and soundtrack of pop songs (including a LOT of Taylor Swift) reworked by string quartets. The Bridgerton series, which started as a beloved collection of books, gives fresh life to all those familiar romance tropes.
The first season was Fake-Dating, the second season was Enemies-to-Lovers, Queen Charlotte was Arranged-Marriage, and season three was Friends-to-Lovers. With these familiar tropes come familiar roadblocks, zany plot lines, and the comfort that we already know how the story will end: with our protagonists in love. The fun is in how they get there.
The Shondaland series became a pandemic hit in a prescient move that predicted everyone’s renewed love for cheesy romance. Even now, BookTok is overrun with a reinvigorated hunger for romance novels — from spicy fairy novels to quick-witted contemporary literature. And when it comes to TV adaptations of books, Bridgerton is top tier.
But this season I knew I’d have my doubts.
After the masterpiece of emotional storytelling that was Queen Charlotte — not to mention one of the most chemistry-filled press tours I’ve seen in years — and the beloved couple that was Jonathan Bailey and Simone Ashley as the iconic Kanthony, Season 3 had soooo much to live up to.
It had some advantages. We knew the characters, we knew the actors, and we’d already primed to be invested by the previous two stories. But their romantic storyline started on a bumpy road. So for me — a devout follower of the gospel of that Rihanna video where she says, “I’m not looking for a man, let’s start there” — the success of this season depends on how believable their reconciliation is, and how powerful both their growth arcs are.
The arcs in question? Not powerful enough.
Season 2 concluded with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) pulling a close to unforgivable move: slandering his so-called friend Penelope to his friends. Tragic for Penelope (Coughlan), she overhears her crush of many years calling her undesirable … then loses her best friend just moments later. Coming into Season 3, all she has is her secret identity as Lady Whistledown, the most popular gossip writer in London’s high society.
Friends-to-Lovers — Except With The Worst Friend You Can Imagine
@jesaep omg colin #bridgerton #colinbridgerton #penelopefeatherington #bridgertonseason3 ♬ sonido original - jen
Season 3’s premise is troubling enough. I personally would never forgive someone who treated me like Colin: ignored me for years. almost married my cousin, then told his friends he would never date me. But the harder they fall, the greater the potential comeback.
There were some foundational flaws in their purported friendship, true. While Pen has always harbored feelings for Colin, he wasn’t just oblivious — but rather took her for granted. He disregarded her opinion on his doomed attempt to the altar, he used her as a sounding board for his big dreams to find a purpose but underestimated her potential to find her own, and, of course, neglected to defend her against the mockery of his friends.
Yet, Polin stans were holding out hope for a romantic reconciliation. Instead, we got a makeover scene, a Cyrano plot, and a rushed declaration after only one episode of Colin pining for Pen. The real friends-to-lovers seem like Eloise and Cressida — who have way more simmering chemistry than Polin.
In contrast to the leading couple, Creasida and Eloise have mutual respect for each other and treat each other as equals, calling each other out, and making each other better humans. Meanwhile, everybody has noted how Colin treats Penelope like a sister at best and a pet or pet-project at worst. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
It’s Not Even About Him. It’s About Her … Or It Should Be
Yes, the show is called Bridgerton, but Colin is the most boring one. With limited development to back up his character, his transformation falls flat. All of a sudden, every character is insisting how sensitive and thoughtful Colin is. Violet Bridgerton gives a heartfelt monologue about his character, which is the most we’ve ever heard of it. It’s a classic case of “show, don’t tell.” But Bridgerton hasn’t shown us anything about Colin but his desire to travel, his lack of business savvy, and his ignorance about Pen.
Meanwhile, Pen is Lady Whistledown — she has the attention of the whole Ton! With Colin’s failings revealed to her at the end of Season 2, I was hoping Penelope would pull Colin off the pedestal and rediscover her own worth. Instead, she mopes around at the sight of him and forgives him too easy. Even when she’s angry, she fashions her makeover after his transformation. Stand up, Penelope, please!
You Shouldn’t Have To Beg to Be Loved
Season Two was a masterpiece because Kate and Anthony compliment each other so well. Despite their own reluctance, it was clear to everyone paying attention that they’re well suited. But where is that compatibility with Colin and Penelope? Everyone notes their differences — even Colin.
That’s why, when they finally kiss, it’s out of pity. Penelope, afraid she’ll never be loved, begs Colin to kiss her. Instead of reassuring her and pointing out her inherent worth, Colin makes light of her request before finally giving in. It’s only now — after she’s changed her outward appearance and is desirable to others, that he opens himself up to the idea of her.
But I can’t romanticize this. One of the most empowered women on the show (despite her lack of confidence in courting), Pen shouldn’t have to beg to be noticed — to be loved. Her other suitor, Lord Debling, sought her out in public and was genuinely interested in her. Conversely, Colin took years to notice her and when he finally did, almost didn’t pursue her until she was about to receive another proposal.
Pen deserves better. And everyone who’s rooting for Polin deserved a juicier storyline than the one they got.
When Is Bridgerton Season Three: Part Two Coming Out?
Bridgerton Season 3 still has time to redeem itself. Part Two is coming to Netflix in June. It promises to explore Pen and Colin’s post-engagement — perhaps they’ll have even the barest flicker of chemistry? — a hunt for Lady Whistedown, and Eloise confronting Pen about her secret.
Will Part Two redeem this season? We can only hope.
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