One name we haven’t heard so far in this Bill Murray fiasco is his “Being Mortal” co-star, actress Keke Palmer, the only woman on the main cast list.
I had a sneaking suspicion Palmer might have been the one who submitted the “complaint” to Searchlight and today those suspicions have only been enhanced.
I’m not sure how anyone missed this Monday rant from Palmer, but she had posted on Instagram what could basically amount to criticizing Murray’s “unprofessional behaviour”:
It’s not always about how good you are at the actual job… It’s about how you show up to the job. Are you on time? Do you have a good attitude? Are you efficient? Are you flexible? Are you calm under fire? Do you represent yourself and the employer well? Are you a good communicator?
These are the things people sometimes don’t think matters, especially those who work in fields that come natural to them. It can double your rate in any field if you create an enjoyable EXPERIENCE for the client. And it can lower your rate when people don’t like the experience of working with you, no matter the outcome of the actual task.
I’m talented but I’m not arrogant enough to believe that there aren’t many talented people. However, not every talented person is a professional and people PAY for PROFESSIONALISM.
Whew. Where to start? Maybe we just shouldn’t. Again, why would Fox Searchlight stop a marquee production with an 8-figure budget over a “complaint”? Even worse, if the complaint was not sexually related then that’s just pure incompetence on their part.
Of course, Palmer’s Instagram post doesn’t specifically refer to Murray, but who are we kidding here? It’s quite clear that Palmer had something to do with Bill Murray being thrown under the bus.
Was his behaviour that repugnant that there couldn’t just be a cast and crew meeting to settle their differences? It’s so idiotic. Just tell everyone to be a professional, put a lid on the bad blood, put in a happy face and finish goddamn the movie. Maybe Keke needed a safe space and couldn’t go on with the show.
Of course, we all know the rule: take these reactions with a grain of salt rather than treating them as gospel. Still, I will say that the film tested like gangbusters earlier this year, and Lionsgate clearly has confidence.