Andrew Garfield has recently expressed his support for Mel Gibson, a move that has not gone down well with social media users. In an interview with People, the 41-year-old actor, who starred in Gibson's 2016 film “Hacksaw Ridge,” spoke about his experience working with the 68-year-old director. Garfield shared, “I learned a lot, actually. I learned that people can heal. I learned that people can change, that people can get help. I learned that everyone deserves respect.” “Hacksaw Ridge,” a World War II drama, garnered multiple Oscar nominations, including a “Best Actor” nod for Garfield. The actor from “Under The Banner of Heaven” further elaborated, stating that he learned from Gibson, “that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. That none of us are infallible.”

However, Garfield's comments were met with criticism on social media. One user responded, “No no no no Andrew,” while another wrote, “I love Andrew – but no on Gibson. And I’m sad that Andrew is making excuses for him.” Another user sarcastically commented, “Fourth chances??? Who gives someone a fourth chance?? At that point you are a f-kin rube.”

Garfield, who is Jewish, mentioned having “deep, important conversations” with Gibson, who made anti-Semitic remarks in 2006 during a DUI arrest. Despite this, Garfield defended Gibson, saying, “He’s done a lot of beautiful healing with himself… he’s an amazing filmmaker, and I think he deserves to make films. He deserves to tell stories, because he has a very, very big, compassionate heart.” After his 2006 arrest, Gibson issued a public apology, specifically addressing the Jewish community for his harmful words.

In a 2020 interview with The Sunday Times, Winona Ryder, also Jewish, recounted an incident involving Gibson at a party. She mentioned Gibson making derogatory comments about her friend, who is gay, and then about Jews. Despite these incidents, Garfield praised Gibson's “empathy” and his ability to connect emotionally with his actors.

Another critic commented on Garfield's stance, saying, “Bro you were doing so well for like a minute there.”

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