Nicolas Cage, Movie Stars and Antics

They're really not antics when film stars get drunk and batter their spouses, or hit vehicles and yell at policemen. All three criminal acts, actually.

Does it say something about privilege?  Does it tell us that thinking that because the world loves you (and as an actor, who doesn't love Mr. Cage) that you can do whatever you want? Do what feels good? For raging feels better, everyone knows, than holding it in and acting like a civilized human being.

That's what we do when we hold it in.  We act.  Because most of us, when we're upset, angry afraid, perhaps owe the IRS a tidy sum of money, are anything but happy about it.

The Internet tabloids tell us that Mr. Cage is down on his luck, owes the IRS money. A morning news team tags that number at 12 million, so the timing is spot on. 

An excuse to hurt your spouse and have a tantrum in public? Or anywhere else?  His wife isn't pressing charges, and he's already out on bond, but the star has a history of angry outbursts.

This time he told police, "Why don't you just arrest me?"  And they did.

Life's not a movie.  But hey, the cameras are still running.

Not the role model, exactly, some of us have in mind when we think, movie star.