James Franco Breaks 4-Year Silence On Allegations

Graeme O'Neil reacts to James Franco's first interview in nearly 4 years as he addresses sexual misconduct allegations made against him.

[michaelromero]

If he is truly repentant and has changed his ways, then yes, I believe he could be forgiven.

[victoriamacpriest]

Yes. Redemption is a core element to the human experience. If we no longer give room to others, and ourselves, to genuinely learn from our wrongs, what incentive is there to better oneself if the only outcome is eternal isolation from others?

[Tusc]

I'm not his victim, nor a student of his school, nor a relative of his nor his friend nor his associate. Therefore, personally he doesn't owe me any apology.
However, he does owe those ppl an apology, and if he means it, and keeps himself in check, then yes, he deserves a second chance.

After all, the public has forgiven iconic individuals that have done worse things.

[courtneyawalsh]

The power imbalance question is: KEY. That needs to be asked a lot more of a lot of these public men. They keep conveniently minimizing or outright denying that crucial part.

[yamilehearn]

I don't know the circumstances that took place, none of us were there. I DO NOT condone sexual harassment in any way, however, were these ladies underage? Did he force himself on them? I don't know, but as a woman, I do make my own decisions and have a gut and ethical reasoning to know right from wrong. Women, make the right choices and don't be so eager to blame others for decisions you mindfully made. We are NOT weak!

[randycox]

Yes, We can move on. Only time will tell regarding his career. The fact that he acknowledged this behavior is progress.

[Readiculous]

If someone can't be redeemed, how can they find their way back to humanity?

[janetc]

I hope more men will take this as an example and start really changing bad behaviors

[marcialsblendsfragrance]

James Franco should be allowed to come back.

[alpha]

He’s admitted his wrongdoings. We’re not in his head to know exactly what he was thinking at the time. We have to believe the victims but we also have to believe him instead of playing mindhunters and dragging his name through the mud.

[kindellk.a]

I find it really hard to believe that he didn't think sleeping with his students was problematic🤔

[JORDANLEWISFILM]

All you have to do is read the literature he was putting out at the time, that'll tell you everything you need to know about him.

[alisonnoble]

Yes, he sounds like his done work on himself. He’s putting himself out there and admitting wrong doing.

[courtneyawalsh]

This would’ve been better than “it wasn’t a master plan”…”I was sexually opportunistic, unevolved and immature about women, consent, boundaries. I’m diligently working on healing that incongruence and lack of empathy/integrity within myself and hopefully down the line I can make genuine amends to the women I may’ve harmed by my attitudes, actions, words and overall insensitivity.”

[guitarsz]

This whole opportunistic crucification of men in the biz has gone seriously out of control. Especially when it DOESN"T even reflect what the people want. I love James in movies. The pendulum has swung way too far on the correction after Weinstein.

[tomthetank]

I hope more women continue to come forward, speak up, act out, make your voice known and your presence seen, here.

[hshoustontx]

It’s case by case. He slept with students. But for some reason it doesn’t feel like his intentions are malicious or evil.

[JamieNixx]

“I did sleep with students, BUT…” not an apology James!

[sasa-ymeo]

As someone who experienced harassment, I feel like if someone is TRULY and GENUINELY remorseful and is willing to work on themselves and better themselves then yes. I feel like if we don't leave room for forgiveness and redemption, soon we'll lose everything and everyone.

[PaladinesAngel]

I hope we could all be given a second chance if we understand what we did wrong and make massive steps and changes to ensure that doesn’t happen again. How will we ever learn anything as a race if we are never given the chance to change.
It doesn’t mean he should be allowed to get back into the teaching industry, but I do think if he is given a second chance all eyes should be watching him closely to ensure he means what he’s saying.