MovieChat Forums > Kevin Spacey Discussion > So what exactly has he done?

So what exactly has he done?


And why has his accuser taken so long to mention it? (It's not as if Spacey was that big a star 30 years ago?)

Since the Weinstein 'scandal' (if indeed, one actually exists) it seems that everyone (and their uncle) is jumping on the "ME TOO" bandwagon (if only to keep up with the jones')

Over here in the UK, we've had an MP step down this week, because he (get this?) touched a womans knee (15 years ago)

If someone rapes another person, fair enough (let's throw the book at that person......I'll even provide the rope to hang them) but the lines seem to be getting more and more blurred as to what constitutes "assault" nowadays (especially with this evergrowing generation of entitled privileged SJW snowflakes)

Soon "Chat-Up Lines" will be taken as "Evidence"

But it seems that you're putting you're life (or at very least 'your career') on the line, should you actually find someone else attractive nowadays......How on earth are new couples supposed to meet, marry and procreate in such 'over-sensitive' times we live in?

Shame on all the many turncoats that helped bury Kevin Spacey, in this witch-hunt....based on vague recollections from yesteryear (and little else)

Remember that girl you tried to get fresh with at college......guess what?

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I have had many discussions about the current storm / frenzy over this kind of thing - more so regarding Mr Spacey's downfall.
Now, I have no personal experience of sexual harassment (I would think a guy would need his eyes testing if he wanted to sexually harass me - no offence to my other half!) and I am not commenting on the validity of the victim's claims/experiences or the impact anything that was done had on them.
However, when glossing over the allegations against Spacey compared to Wienstein, it seems to me that Spacey was just a normal gay guy who was finding the young men about him attractive. He was showing his affections and basically making moves on them, perhaps a little too hotly sometimes, but he did not rape anyone. He spent money and time with them and had picnics with them -old school. Over the course of history, isn't this how a lot relationships start out? Men have been doing things like this forever with women.
One person likes another and they try and seduce them - either for some quick fun, or because they want a relationship. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes at first the object of affection is resistant but then they get to know the seducer they may end up being a happy couple. It takes time to get to know someone and some people are very hands on with displays of affection. Love sometimes takes an effort; some people are not won over easily.
I am not condoning being harassing however, but to some, sexual harassment is a friendly touch on the arm or an invitation to dinner, to others it's being pushed against a wall and molested.
Weinstein was inappropriately dressed, asked women to give him massages, raped women and masturbated in front of them. There are no claims that Spacey did anything like this - but what he did do was show himself to be a rather (in my view) over-zealous man, desperate for returned affection and he did hold off, when rebuffed. He seemed to have been rejected and to me it's all a bit sad.

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I agree that what Spacey did doesn't even compare to Weinstein. However, there have been claims that Spacey did infact grope/inappropriately touch men without their consent on the House of Cards set.
So, while most of the accusations seem like Spacey was just trying to seduce/flirt with guys that he found attractive, he did technically sexually assault some guys too.

I would say that the majority of accusations against Spacey are just him trying to flirt with guys, although that's till inappropriate to do in a workplace, i think if there is actually bigger cases (him groping people without consent, etc) then they should be investigated rather than some flirting/seducing.

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Are you serious? The guy he hit on was 14. Dear sweet lord.

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Spacey and Bryan Singer have had notorious boy orgies for twenty years.

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Got any proof of that, or just repeating internet nonsense?

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Everyone got bored of Harvey, now they need a new horse to beat to death. Spacey as far what’s been said so far is guilty of being overly aggressive in his perusing of men. The rapp thing, IMO, is little more the poor judgment of drunk 20 something. Whatever it was we won’t know. If he is into jailbait, there won’t be just one and we will know then.

As for his aggressive and sleazy behaviour, sure it’s not right, but claims of ptsd because someone came on to you? Gimme a break. Seems everyone wants be a victim these days.

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I guess he came on too aggressively is one crime, having a preference for young guys, teenage looking ones is the worst though I guess.


But it seems like once you reject him, based on stories, he turns away or stops.

Unlike others who are far more predatory like.

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Yeah i've seen multiple stories of peoples accusations - when rejecting Spacey, he would back-off. Some did say he would seem pretty annoyed and strop off when rejected, but that happens with a lot of people if they get rejected so that's nothing new.

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That seems to be a consistent theme from stories about him.

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No it's not. The first guy that came forward said he had to squirm out from under Spacey and flee the apartment. a FOURTEEN year old boy by the way. I guess if your son or brother was nearly raped you would just laugh it off and tell him to get over it, right?

It amazes me that there are fucking idiots that are still desperate to defend a guy that has at the VERY LEAST tried to RAPE A KID. I feel sorry for any children that have to be around you sick pedo supporters. I wonder how many kids y'all have "aggressively flirted with".

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I don't know that he tried to "rape a kid," although it certainly appears he tried to seduce one, against his wishes. That's inappropriate, at best.

I agree with you that characterising this kind of behaviour as "aggressively flirting with" is minimising this behaviour that's inexplicable to me.

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I know right. How is the next comment. He didn't try to rape him. Poor guy just wanted to seduce him against his will. Flock me.

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I think the me too hashtag is very unfortunate. Because it feels more like a look at me give me attention too thing rather than a serious attempt to deal with actual sexual misconduct.

I could claim sex harassment based on the standards used today, and no, no one that I could claim it against actually did anything wrong...it just with the low standards to make the claim these day i could easily do so.

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"I think the me too hashtag is very unfortunate. Because it feels more like a look at me give me attention too thing rather than a serious attempt to deal with actual sexual misconduct."

But what if it isn't? What if it is a serious attempt at exposing the prevalence of sexual abuse within one industry? Not even just one industry; it's been prevalent in many for decades. Is this okay with you? Does it not warrant being exposed for what it has been and still is?

I disagree the standards are low for sexual harassment or abuse. The standards for it has been too high for too many years, allowing the Weinsteins and the Spaceys, and who knows how many others, to get away with what they have (allegedly) gotten away with, because they had the clout with which to do it.

I could have claimed sexual harassment, now, based on the completely inappropriate and abusive behavior on a few people with whom I once worked. Would I have had a strong enough, prosecutable case, even now? No. Was I sexually harassed? Yes.

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Well, we are becoming a society of keeping healthy distance from each other. Let's have no body contact whatsoever, or it could be considered as sexual assault. Shaking hands? Don't even think about it. Having sex, are you crazy? That is asking for a lawsuit!

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Complete hyperbole. When have you ever heard that shaking hands is considered a sexual assault? Right, never.

Having sex, or sexual contact, is fine, as long as it's mutually consensual and, therefore, appropriate. It's very simple.

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Yes, but that initial period of 'attraction' before it becomes consensual....Mutual Attraction isn't always instant. Spacey may have made suggestions (lewd or otherwise) but from most of the reports I've read, states that they were exactly that....Suggestions. Are you telling me that all these accusers have never been propositioned by anyone else in their lifetimes? Is it OK to be sexually propositioned, as long as you're attracted and consent to such suggestions? If that's the case, it's more about Kevin Spacey not being as handsome, than it is about these poor violated snowflakes and their hurt feelings (via 30 year total recall)

Surely we've all been attracted to someone (and it wasn't reciprocated) but nowadays, mere suggestion is deemed as 'Assault', given that mere-speech is deemed as violent hate crime.....and usually from a generation of Millenial SJW-types who wouldn't know a true 'ism' if it hung them from a lampost for the colour of their skin, either before or after violently raping them?
(and my original question still stands.....why wasn't this incident brought up earlier than 30 years ago.....Spacey was hardly a star in 1987?)

If anything, Spacey should keep it age appropriate (although statements say the initial accuser was drunk and in a bar.....so maybe this forgettful cherub shouldn't have been in an age-appropriate location, as well?) but I highly doubt that Kevin Spacey has actually physically raped anyone.....and yet, given this hysteria....he is essentially finished as an actor (and on the say-so of vague recollections......and 'Generation Snowflake's' need for righteous indignation)

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"Yes, but that initial period of 'attraction' before it becomes consensual....is the moot point here."

Sounds like you don't know what the meaning of moot is, because it's not at all moot; it's entirely germane, the very opposite of moot. There are a multitude of ways to approach someone you're interested in to see if it's reciprocated. You have to know that. Any decent, rational, non-abusive adult knows this.

Kevin Spacey's -- or anyone else's -- physical appearance has nothing to do with anything. Someone could be incredibly good looking, objectively speaking, and yet their unwanted advances were exactly that: unwanted, and inappropriate.

It's not a "mere suggestion." Spacey (allegedly) picked this boy up in his arms, carried him to a bed, lay him down on it, and then lay on top of him, until he managed to struggle free of him. Hardly a "mere suggestion." Spacey himself said that IF that's what happened, it was completely inappropriate and apologised for it.

Let's assume you're a straight male, and someone who's higher up in the profession you're in, and therefore more powerful and "believable," grabs you by the crotch. This is something Spacey in particular has been allegedly guilty of, many times. You, as a straight male, have been physically, sexually assaulted. It was in no means wanted or encouraged by you -- quite the reverse. You don't say anything, because you know the chances of your being believed are slim, and even if you are believed, you may well be sacrificing your livelihood and ability to make a living because he's more powerful than you are. On top of that, it's embarrassing to admit such a thing happened to you; it feels shameful.

What do you do? Chances are great you say nothing, out of self-preservation.

(cont'd)

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It's completely and utterly 'moot' that Spacey has been fired (and is practically unemployable) because of accusations (and the fact you' trying to twist my words and imply that I don't know the meaning of the word....is part of the bigger problem with 'generation snowflake' I'm talking about)

It's obviously you don't know what the word 'cunt' means....because you're a cheeky one.

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Now you're switching goal posts. I said nothing about Spacey being fired, nor did you (unless you go back and edit your post), and I'm twisting nothing.

These are your words, in context: "Yes, but that initial period of 'attraction' before it becomes consensual....Mutual Attraction isn't always instant."

Are you aware that flaming (i.e. name-calling) is against the rules on this site, and that you can and will be warned about it (3 warnings = you're banned), should I decide to report you for it? Only the weak feel a need to resort to name-calling.

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Report whatever you want....it's your culture (after all)
Better yet, why not wait 30 years, then claim I verbally raped you (which will no doubt be a capital offence by then?) might stand to make a few quid, if I'm rich and famous, eh?

The fact that you think threatening to report me....is the underlying problem at heart here. And you've completely and utterly backed up EXACTLY what I called you, with your liberal butt hurt response.

Oh (and one more thing) don't assume either my gender or sexuality (that, by your own rationale and mindset) is the sort of new-fangled SJW 'hate crime' that you (and your kind) gloat on about.

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"Verbally raped," "liberal butt hurt," "SJW," "you and your kind -- all stereotypical and revealing of your mindset.

Of course, the only reason anyone would wait for 5, 10, 20, or 30 years to speak out about any sexual assault would be because the perpetrator is rich and famous, and they thought they stood to gain money, and for no other reason. It couldn't possibly be because a sexual assault actually occurred, could it? Because that could only be the result of a liberal butt-hurt SJW.

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Congratulations on the quickest (not to mention 'lamest') response ever (I can only assume you've been saving the whale....or burning down your local Starbucks....or reporting posts......in your absence?)

And 'YES' that's exactly why the accuser has waited 30 years to tell his story.....so "Well Done" you (give yourself a biscuit)

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No one's accused Spacey of rape. Not yet, and maybe they never will because no rape ever occurred. I don't know either way. All I can say is there have been no accusations of rape thus far. But there are multiple accounts now of him sexually assaulting people, and if they're true, that's hardly a result of hysteria, because sexual assault -- on a minor OR an adult -- is sexual assault, and it's illegal.

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<< but that initial period of 'attraction' before it becomes consensual....Mutual Attraction isn't always instant. Spacey may have made suggestions (lewd or otherwise) but from most of the reports I've read, states that they were exactly that.... >>

It is NOT appropriate to be sexual toward employees. Mr. Spacey was blatantly sexually pursuing cast and crew members of a Netflix show he is the executive producer of. And he pursued cast and crew members working under him when he was the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre in London for 10 years.

If you don't see a problem with this, then I guess you do not work in the modern workplace..certainly not one where millions and millions of dollars are at stake weekly, such as a TV show.
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That is the thing, isn't it? The only thing wrong is because he is important. If he isn't, people would just say no, and that is that.

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Well, it's especially bad if you're an employer making advances, because whether intended or not, there is the possibility that if the subordinate declines, there can be retaliation. (I'm going to leave the whole coworker to coworker -- ie, equals -- thing aside, as its not what happened.)

Basically, one is not paid to pursue dates or sex. Keep it outside of work and job interviews. That is professionalism, as your attention is supposed to be on achieving company goals and completing work assignments...not on an employee or coworker's @ss.
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But you agree like I said his sin is not making advances, his sin is that he is the boss. His assistant could make the same advances to him, but would not face the same consequences (A flat no would do it).

The entertainment industry does not seem to have the "employees should not date" policy (we hear plenty of co-stars dating), so there is some sort of discrimination going on here.

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<< His assistant could make the same advances to him, but would not face the same consequences (A flat no would do it). >>

You mean, grabbing a superior's crotch or ass?

What employee would do that?
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I bet plenty of fans would do that. If a big movie star you worship is nearby, what would you do?

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I said employee. And if a fan tried that on a star, they'd be thrown to the ground by security.

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An assistant could be a fan, security is not always around on set. I bet people like Kevin Spacey get harassed on daily basis.

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May I ask your age? Have you worked in a business environment before?

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I am 45 years old retired software engineer. I don't mind telling you that, but you might want to share your own age before asking others.

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I'm sorry, but your questions about what is and is not okay in workplace relations sound a bit naive to me. That's why I asked. But basically, the entertainment industry is not that different from other jobs. If you are a fan of someone you're working with/for, you wouldn't dwell on that. You're there to contribute your skills, not get a thrill.

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In an ideal environment that would be the case. But I worked long enough to know that light flirting goes on all the time around kitchen area in just about every company I worked before.

You would be really naive to think good looking men and women don't get noticed and attention just because they are in an office. In entertainment industry good looking people are just about everywhere.

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<< You would be really naive to think good looking men and women don't get noticed and attention just because they are in an office. >>

Of course. But all of these stories in the news are not about coworkers on equal professional footing, who are mildly flirting with each other at work. The stories are about leaders/employers in their field coming on to underlings, or people they were considering for work.
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Yes, it would be really wrong if they keep harassing people after being told no. What I kept hearing is that people were afraid of saying no. You see, I think that is the problem, how would Mr Spacey even know his advances were unwanted? People like him being sucked up long enough to think everyone wants him.

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<< it would be really wrong if they keep harassing people after being told no. >>

Is this what you meant to type?
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Would you be kind enough to explain to me why you don't understand?

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It sounds like your saying it's okay to harass someone, but not to continue to harass them after they tell you to stop.

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It might be time for you to state your age. Because I have no interest in continuing a conversation about word play.

You know full well what I am talking about. Or are you running out of arguments?

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"Yes, it would be really wrong if they keep harassing people after being told no. "

Harassment is harassment, whether or not someone has been told "no" or not. How is this difficult for you to understand?

It's even worse if you're in a professional environment; be professional, period, regardless of your gender or sexual preferences. How and why this isn't clear is a mystery to me.

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So you also agree Mr Spacey is not really at fault because nobody told him no, right? Because that is what we are talking about here.

Harassment is only harassment after being told no, before that it is just advances. It seems your two only focusing on that because you can't deny what I am saying above.

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"Harassment is only harassment after being told no, before that it is just advances."

No, it isn't.

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So I was right, you do agree Mr Spacey is not at fault. That was my main point anyway.

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Although I agree with your sentiments, the kid here was 14 and looked it. He could even pass as young as 12 even. Plus the kid wasn't in a bar, he was at a party he was invited to which unfortunately for him was full of adults, was bored, so he went to a room to watch tv and that was where Spacey propositioned him.

I don't think a kid that age is used to being propositioned by other kids his age even, let alone an adult twice his age. He looked like a nerd, geek, trekkie, the innocent naive sort.


Just saying ......

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Not yet anyway. But the way society is going soon people could be accused improperly squeezing someone else's hand in a sexual way and people would say they only allow their hands being touched because they worry they might get fired if they refuse to do so, etc.

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That's more hyperbole.

So let's say you're a straight male. (You needn't be, this could happen between a gay male or two females, or a male and a female, where the action given was inappropriate and wrong.) You go to shake hands. This is normal. A normal shaking of hands lasts what, 2-3 seconds? You go to withdraw your hand, and the other person refuses to let go. Say they take it further, and in addition to refusing to let go of your hand, they also take their thumb and circle it suggestively on the palm of your hand, and even more, while they're doing it, stare at your crotch. Is that okay with you? It shouldn't be.

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No, it shouldn't. And what if you have been accused (maybe wrongfully) of shaking someone's hand that way? Think about it, your career could be ruined, life as you know it could end. Is that worth the risk?

Like I said, it is better safe then sorry. So it is time to stop all body contact. In today's environment, it seems to be better that way.

Then again, isn't that just sad?

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That could happen, yes. But what if you've been accused rightfully of shaking someone's hand that way? It's clearly inappropriate and wrong. You agree with that. So then what? Nothing? Do you think someone who'd behave that way is likely to stop there in other interactions? It's not proof they would, but it's likely.

The reality is most people understand boundaries. They know what it means to give an appropriate, normal handshake, and what it means to give one that's inappropriate. They know what an appropriate and inappropriate hug is. They know that if they stand 6 inches away from you, unless they're an intimate, they're invading your personal space. MOST people know this without having to be told, or any lawsuits brought against them. If you don't know these things, then yes, it'd be better to stop all body contact.

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It is not about what really happened. It is about what people could accuse you of. That is what is happening in today's world.

Having sex with someone you risk being accused of rape. Yes, that is the reality. And now even shaking someone's hand you risk being accused of sexual assault.

Maybe it is time Chinese fist and palm salute should be implemented as common etiquette instead, the whole fist and palm gesture says "Please keep your distance".

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"It is not about what really happened. It is about what people could accuse you of. That is what is happening in today's world."

Except it really isn't, only in a small minority of cases, and even so they have to prove anything illegal happened, which is extremely difficult to prove, even when something illegal *has* happened.

"And now even shaking someone's hand you risk being accused of sexual assault."

When has that happened? Do you have any proof of this?

But if you want to overreact, by all means, have at it. I have to wonder why you are, but that's your business, not mine.

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Most people would not rape, rob and kill people, it is only a small minority of people doing that, but I wouldn't say having courts, police and prison "overreacting", or is that just my business as well?

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Eh, what? Your post makes no sense. Yes, it's a small minority of people who do those crimes, and yet (oddly enough!) police, courts, and prison haven't outlawed shaking hands, avoiding all physical contact, or even sex! Imagine that, they haven't overreacted, as you have.

o_0

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Keeping repeating the same thing does not make it true. People's lives and careers are ruined, like Mr Spacey here. Of course I bet you don't give a damn.

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And your continuing to try to wriggle away from legitimate questions doesn't mean they're invisible to anyone reading this exchange.

Victims' lives and careers have been ruined for decades, also, even more so, because those who've victimised them have been able to hide behind their power and wealth. So much so, the phrase "casting couch" is a cliche. But you don't give a damn about them, is that right?

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Ah, I understand now. You just don't give a damn about people who have wealth and power.

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Right, because that's exactly what I said, innit.

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<< If you don't know these things, then yes, it'd be better to stop all body contact. >>

I would also encourage suchn a person to consider entering therapy, to see why they are so out of touch with basic human nature and basic workplace ethics/behavior.
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"I would also consider entering therapy, to see why one is so out of touch with basic human nature and basic workplace ethics/behavior."

And I would agree. It's very basic. Not that I have any way of knowing, but I have to wonder about the people who so strenuously object and go straight to hyperbole. It *seems* like they don't know, or disregard, these basics themselves, so fear the consequences and overcompensate, or state they will or we should overcompensate.

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They're like, "What's wrong with Hoffman asking a prospective screenwriter to accompany him to a hotel during a job interview, and then walking out of the meeting when she declines??"

Golly....what could POSSIBLY be weirdly unprofessional about THAT??? People have become so incredibly UPTIGHT!!
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"They're like, "What's wrong with Hoffman asking a prospective screenwriter to accompany him to a hotel during a job interview, and then walking out of the meeting when she declines??"

Golly....what could be weirdly unprofessional about THAT??? People have become so UPTIGHT!!"

Srisly! WHAT'S WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?! What's wrong with giving your prospective employer a little massage or watching him while he naked spews into a plant!? Geez! What's the world come to?

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"It's the 21ST CENTURY, for god's sake!! It's FINE to make passes at 14-year-olds, as long as you take No for an answer!!"

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Come ON, even if you don't take No as an answer, what harm does it do AS LONG AS IT STOPS SHORT OF RAPE??

#NoHarmDone

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"Sure I was invited here to discuss my art, but watching you take a shower is JUST as productive! Why did I even GO to college, when I could have learned so much MORE studying if you like Ivory soap or Irish Spring??"

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<< Come ON, even if you don't take No as an answer, what harm does it do AS LONG AS IT STOPS SHORT OF RAPE?? >>

That's my motto: Anything that stops short of actual penetration is completely professional. Only old fashioned fuddy-duddies/ feminazis would disagree.
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"That's my motto: Anything that stops short of actual penetration is completely professional. Only old fashioned fuddy-duddies/ feminazis would disagree."

It's like we're twins, separated at birth, only to find one another on MovieChat. But then, wouldn't all reasonable minds agree?

#IrishSpringOrIvory,SOSexyWhenCombinedWithEvenARepulsiveManWho'sIntoAbusingPower.YES!!

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<< It's like we're twins, separated at birth >>

It is eerie.

AND, i like cats, and i like books. I mean, what are the chances???????

I need a moment to absorb this...
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You know what's even more uncanny? I like Cookies and grew up in L.A.! Ok, so the growing up in L.A. thing isn't that unusual; lots of people did. But ALSO liking cookies?!

*cue Twilight Zone theme song*

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Is there some sort of security camera footage of Spacey chasing 14 year old kids around on the House of Cards set or something? Most people aren't proud of some things they did 30-40 years ago either.

The main thing is Spacey a threat to children today or is this just something that happened during his apparent drunken years?

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If there is, I haven't seen that footage.

This isn't just about being a thread to minors. According to more current accounts of cast and crew on House of Cards, he's sexually assaulted several people. Several of those he worked with in the theatre in London have alleged the same.

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Yeah, it seems like everyone is hanging him because he hits on guys but doesn't actually do anything to them. I wasn't there, so I wouldn't make a judgement one way or the other without proof. But I think its pretty sad that his series and movie on Netflix have been cancelled based on allegations that he hits on guys. Ironically, all the anonymous accusers who worked on House of Cards are now out of a job. Hope it was worth it. I really wanted to see Gore and the last season of HOC.

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