Emma Thompson has built a reputation for being very outspoken, particularly when it comes to social and political issues. Some people feel that she uses her celebrity status as a platform to push her ideological views.
Feminist Views
Thompson is an avowed feminist who has been vocal about women’s rights issues such as equal pay and representation in Hollywood. She has criticized the movie industry for being male-dominated and ageist towards actresses. While many applaud her willingness to speak out, others find her feminist views too extreme or complain that she talks about feminism too frequently.
Liberal Politics
In addition to feminism, Thompson is also known for her liberal political stances. She is anti-Brexit, critical of Conservative Party policies, and champions environmentalist causes. Her left-leaning political activism rubs some viewers the wrong way.
Outrage Over Her Harvey Weinstein Comments
In 2018, Thompson made controversial remarks about disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. While condemning his abusive behavior, she also implied that as a “predator” he couldn’t help himself. Many saw her comments as insultingly sexist and an example of Thompson making excuses for Weinstein’s misconduct.
Table 1. Emma Thompson’s Major Controversial Moments | Year | Controversy | |-|-| | 2018 | Implied Harvey Weinstein couldn’t help predatory nature | | 2019 | Hypocritically flew 5,400 miles to join climate protest | | 2022 | Branded J.K. Rowling as a “terf” over trans views |Perceived Hypocrisy Over Her Own Actions
Critics also accuse Emma Thompson of hypocrisy at times. For example, she once flew 5,400 miles to join a climate change protest, which seemed at odds with her dire warnings about carbon emissions and aviation. Incidents like this lead some to see her crusades for social justice as performative “do as I say not as I do” activism.
Cultural Impact and Critical Reception
As an actress, Thompson’s work doesn’t appeal to all audiences and critics have mixed opinions on projects she has starred in or written. Some feel her impact and talent are overstated.
Mixed Reviews for Her Recent Work
Emma Thompson’s recent films and writing have underwhelmed some reviewers and moviegoers. Her screenplay for 2019’s Last Christmas was panned by many as predictable and clichéd. As an actress, her performances in Men in Black: International and the Cruella remake were criticized as one-note or over-the-top. After a stellar start to her career, some argue the quality of her output has declined.
Table 2. Emma Thompson’s Rotten Tomatoes Scores Since 2015 | Year | Movie | Rotten Tomatoes Score | |-|-|-| | 2015 | Burnt | 29% | | 2017 | The Meyerowitz Stories | 93% | | 2019 | Men in Black: International | 25% | | 2019 | Last Christmas | 47% | | 2021 | Cruella | 74% |Overhyped by Hollywood?
Thompson is lauded by Hollywood and has won two Academy Awards for Best Actress and Best Screenplay. Yet there is a sentiment among some movie fans that she is overrated. They feel the entertainment industry over-rewards her work because they admire her politics and share her ideological views. Essentially, they believe liberal favoritism clouds an objective assessment of her talents.
Too Much Emma Thompson Content?
There is a sense that Thompson is constantly visible and ubiquitous these days across movies, talk shows, and at public events. As someone perceived as always lecturing others or pushing various causes, her overexposure leads to viewer fatigue or irritation according to her detractors. Many simply feel there is too much Emma Thompson content out there right now.
Personality and Sense of Superiority
Beyond her opinions and professional work, Emma Thompson’s personality itself also elicits criticism from people who find her arrogant, disingenuous, or condescending.
Comes Across as Self-Righteous
Thompson frequently takes very firm stances on controversial issues from transgender rights to environmental policy. While passionate, she presents her views in a matter-of-fact way that strikes some as imperious, moralizing, and self-righteous. Rather than open meaningful dialogues, her critics suggest she lectures down at people.
Lacks Self-Awareness About Her Privilege
As a millionaire celebrity, Emma Thompson lives an incredibly privileged life. Yet observers note she often adopts an uncouth, vulgar manner while bemoaning elitism. The immense wealth and comfort she enjoys – traveling in private jets, owning multiple luxurious homes – undercut her “radical chic” posing to some working-class people.
Comes Across as Inauthentic or Insincere
Certain critics point to Thompson’s upper-class upbringing, elite education at Cambridge, and convent school refinement as reasons to find her agitator persona inauthentic. Moreover, she has stayed with her businessman husband despite past cheating scandals that seemingly contradict her feminist convictions. These perceived inconsistencies lead some to consider her insincere or fake.
Sense of Intellectual Superiority
Clearly highly intelligent and articulate, Emma Thompson nonetheless exudes an air of intellectual superiority according to her naysayers. Her plummy English accent, frequent literary allusions, and conversational style imply looking down on those less educated. When combined with her moralism, it leaves some feeling condescended to rather than connected with.
Why do critics feel Emma Thompson is overrated?
Critics feel Emma Thompson is overrated because of declining quality in her recent acting roles and screenplays, mixed reviews from fans and movie reviewers, a sense that Hollywood over-rewards her work due to sharing her politics, and irritation at her constant visibility.
Does Emma Thompson hurt the causes she believes in?
Ironically, Emma Thompson’s outspoken advocacy may actually undermine the ideals or movements she wishes to advance. Her perceived hypocrisy, insincerity, self-righteousness, and contemptuous manner serve to alienate audiences. Those already unsympathetic become even more hardened in their views. Even among moderates or liberals, her grating style breeds resentment rather than solidarity.
In this sense, Thompson exemplifies counterproductive activism centered more on individual catharsis than actually changing minds or policy. Her comments generate lots of outrage but rarely thoughtful discussion or compromise. They divide more than they unite public opinion.
Of course, Thompson would likely counter that speaking hard truths matters more than likeability or appeasing critics. Her admirers also appreciate how candid she is about her beliefs, unaffected by complaints she is too preachy or political.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, Emma Thompson elicits strongly divided reactions – admired by some, disliked by others. Her polarizing persona emerges from a confluence of factors.
Thompson’s outspoken liberal politics, feminism, and social justice campaigns rub ideological opponents the wrong way. Her perceived hypocrisy and insincerity foster criticisms over integrity and authenticity. Declining quality in her acting and writing bolsters claims of being overrated. And her moralistic communication style strikes many as self-righteous or elitist.
Of course, these very traits also endear Thompson greatly to those more aligned with her worldview. Her willingness to use her platform to further causes she cares about resonates strongly with fans. Supporters likewise celebrate her articulateness regarding gender, politics, environmental issues and more.
Yet the passion that Thompson pours into her beliefs can clearly overwhelm reasoned debate, ostracizing those apt to disagree yet open to dialogue. It remains an open question whether her zealous approach ultimately helps or hinders public understanding of the topics she champions.
Regardless of these assessments, Emma Thompson shows no signs of tempering her convictions or slowing her outspoken schedule. She appears destined to remain both beloved star and provocative lightning rod for years to come.
FAQs
Here are 5 additional FAQs related to why people dislike Emma Thompson:
Is Emma Thompson too political?
Some critics feel Emma Thompson injects politics where it doesn’t belong, using awards speeches or interviews to lecture about her ideological stances. They see her as moralizing and pedantic, ruining enjoyment of her as an entertainer. However, supporters appreciate her willingness to leverage her platform to highlight important issues.
Is Emma Thompson a terf regarding trans rights?
In 2022, Thompson faced backlash for signing a letter supporting author J.K. Rowling, accused of being a “terf” (trans exclusionary radical feminist) over her statements about transgender women. This controversy reinforced impressions among detractors that Thompson is unwoke and transphobic.
Does Emma Thompson have an unlikeable and arrogant public persona?
Certain critics find Emma Thompson gratingly superior in her manner, looking down at interlocutors from an elitist intellectual and moral high ground. They describe her as imperious, self-righteous and consumed by wokeness to the point of intolerance.
Is Emma Thompson appreciated more in the UK or US?
As an acclaimed British actress and writer, Thompson resonates more with domestic UK audiences who better understand context for her views and celebrity activism. Americans may find her political outspokenness perplexing or off-putting from a foreign star.
Does the media focus too much attention on Emma Thompson’s controversies?
Some Emma Thompson supporters think focussing excessive coverage on her gaffes or inconsistencies constitutes unfair hit jobs. They believe the media should critique her creative work rather than pry into her personal life and political opinions. Less sensationalism would mean less polarization around Thompson.