#JusticeforJohnnyDepp. The Saga of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
By: Robert Turner
Tags: Cinema, Entertainment, Amber Heard, Johnny Depp, Movies

#JusticeforJohnnyDepp. The Saga of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s complex and controversial relationship

Johnny Depp is trending at the moment on Twitter, but for reasons he’d rather forget. His acrimonious relationship with Amber Heard of Aquaman fame is once again front-page news and things have just heated up on Social Media.

What’s all the fuss about?

In 2019 Depp filed a $50 million defamation case against Heard, after an op-ed piece she published in 2018. In the article, she painted herself as being domestic abuse survivor. Although she didn’t mention names, it was clear who she was referring to. That article led to Depp being fired from Pirates of the Caribbean. It was a huge blow to him. Jack Sparrow was no more and Depp had had enough.

The couple married in 2015 and by 2016 had agreed to separate. Heard filed for divorce and they released a joint statement at the time, shortly after their divorce was finalized.

“Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.”

Statements and counter statements followed from both Heard and Depp shortly after that proved the relationship had in fact been beset by problems. Big Problems.

An audio tape just released by Depp’s legal team from a 2015 therapy session he and Heard attended, clearly indicates Heard was abusing Depp physically. She admits as much on the 2-hour long audio that has sparked a wave of support for Depp across the internet.

The tape is now seen as vindication by Depp’s many fans, who have taken to social media in a united front of support for the actor. Heard, who initially caused controversy by suggesting Depp had been abusing her, was, in fact, the abuser. Whether the abusive behavior was in fact perpetrated by both parties is currently under dispute and may never be resolved. It seems clear though from mounting evidence that Depp was the victim.

Shocking reports of Heard defecating in his bed, burning him with cigarettes and cutting off his fingertip have emerged. She admits on the tape to throwing objects at him in fits of rage.

Depps’ career has suffered massively because of Heard’s allegations of abuse. He lost his prized role of Jack Sparrow in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the two actors have been engaged in reciprocal attempts to try and derail each other’s careers over the last three years.

Gal Gadot (Wonderwoman) even entered into the fray and was venomous in her condemnation of Depp when Heard’s allegations surfaced, coming out on Twitter in support of Heard. She accused Depp of being an abusive drug addict. She later withdrew her comments but the damage was done.

Abusive relationships are complex and incredibly difficult to resolve. There is a natural inclination to assume the man is abusing the woman, but often, as in Depp’s case, the reverse is true and occasionally the abuse is reciprocal.

The fact Depp was found guilty by the media and public without a shred of evidence to support Heard’s claims, shows the inclination to persecute first and ask questions later.

It is impossible to pass comment, let alone judgment in these situations, unaware as we are of the intimate details of the relationship. No one ever really knows what transpires behind closed doors and yet, it is in our nature to pass judgment.

Depp was judged and found wanting in the court of popular opinion, simply on the word of his estranged wife. The responses were swift and damaging to his career. He rapidly became a pariah in the eyes of Hollywood, with only his closest fans remaining loyal.

It remains to be seen if Heard will be judged with the same vigor in the courtroom of popular opinion and if her career will be sidelined as a result of her actions, with some on social media calling for criminal action.

Heard’s defense team has released a statement denouncing the tape and suggesting that it instead shows Depp was abusive and she was responding to his abuse. It’s a reach, a huge one, and unlikely to succeed.

From the responses on Twitter and the trending hashtags, it would appear Depp has the popular support and if public opinion is anything to go by, the trial scheduled for August 2020 will not end favorably for Heard.

Depp has produced a huge catalogue of work over the last thirty years and can arguably be pointed to as one of the most influential and talented actors of his generation.

His versatility and love for bizarre characters, starting with his 1991 role of Edward Scissorhands, have afforded him cult status with many of his followers and he has received numerous peer-based awards for his roles.

None of us will ever truly know what transpired between Heard and Depp but there is a lesson to be learned from their debacle. Don’t be too quick to assume, and if you don’t have the facts, all the facts, don’t pass judgment.

Let’s hope the trial is swift and allows Depp to get back to doing what he does best. Entertaining us. We want our Jack back. Our world is that little bit poorer without him.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, the follow on piece which calls for an end to the #metoo movement may be of interest.