D e s e r t E x p o s u r e
April
2009
The Sum of His Parts
What kind of a governor might Val Kilmer make? We do some credits crunching.
By Jeff Berg
As anyone knows, few if any nuclear physicists or brain surgeons run for political office. It just doesn't require a lot of advanced knowledge to become a politician. But it does help to be famous. Just ask Ronald Reagan.
Numerous people whose names we already knew have become politicians at some point, sometimes carrying their acting or other entertainment "qualifications" into office with them: Sonny Bono, the former mustachioed half of the singing duo Sonny and Cher. became a Congressman. Clint Eastwood did a stint as mayor of Carmel, Calif. Briefly, there was a chance that we could have had a Reagan redux, when actor and former senator Fred Thompson dabbled with a presidential run, topping the polls for about 11 minutes.
Then of course there is Ah-nold in California, and former wrestler (another form of acting) Jesse Ventura had an interesting run as governor of Minnesota.
Maybe it's our turn for a star turn. Right here in New Mexico, there has been talk lately of a possible gubernatorial run in 2010 by actor and Pecos, NM, resident (and Jane Fonda neighbor) Val Kilmer.
Kilmer has lived in New Mexico for nearly half of his almost 50 years of life. He has been involved in more than 60 television and film productions, beginning in 1984 with a starring role in the comedy, Top Secret.
What better way to start a look at Kilmer's qualifications than by looking at his past experience in the acting industry?
Elected officials are often, indeed, required to keep things Top Secret. Sometimes it takes a Real Genius to sign off on new laws or balance the state budget.
If there is a deadlock on an issue or a budget, Gov. Kilmer could once again be The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains.
His experience in the films Willow, Red Planet, Heat, The Dirt and The Salton Sea (ironically, one of Bono's most noted issues — trying to save California's Salton Sea) certainly gives Kilmer a load of experience in environmental issues.
He also knows something about the history of New Mexico, since he once played Billy the Kid. We'll let it slide that it was Gore Vidal's odd version of Billy's life that he portrayed.
In one of his better known roles as a lesser-known famous New Mexican, Kilmer once portrayed the iconic Jim Morrison, the lead singer of the best 1960s rock band, The Doors, in the film of that name. So, there is another touch of local history: Morrison was a New Mexico resident for part of his life, and is said to have had taken songwriting inspiration from some of his experiences here.
Kilmer's views on crime and capital punishment might be apparent from his work in Kill Me Again, Felon (a great overlooked film that you should go rent immediately) and another Western, Tombstone (in what is arguably one of his best roles ever, as Doc Holliday). We can also study the upcoming Streets of Blood.
Although none of these films is about the ongoing dispute from those who want to monitor whom a person can love when it comes to legal rights, Kilmer's work in Summer Love, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and True Romance might offer hope to the folks who hope he would be an ally in pushing forward equal rights for everyone.
And then we come to Batman Forever. Certainly his role as the caped crusader gives Kilmer a superb chance to appeal to the law-and-order/vigilante community. Not to mention his lesser-known role in "Knight Rider."
The American Indian community in New Mexico should note that Kilmer has worked in Comanche Moon, Thunderheart, Trudell and Columbus Day, while ranchers can appreciate his work in the forthcoming American Cowslip.
Those of a religious bent can hook their wagon to his role as Moses in The Ten Commandments: The Musical. Catholics will be charmed that he was also The Saint (well, perhaps not if they see the movie).
And we can't forget the "New Age" crowd of our fair state, who would be represented by Kilmer's fine performances in Have Dreams, Will Travel, Prince of Egypt, Mindhunters and Wonderland.
Conspiracy theorists? Got them covered, too! Check out The Missing, Fake Identity and Conspiracy.
Our state's penchant for the arts is not to be dismissed, either. Just look at Pollock and Mark Twain and Mary Baker Eddy, a film Kilmer is currently working on, as director AND Mark Twain!
Hunters? Not a problem: The Ghost and the Darkness and George and the Dragon cover those issues to a "t."
Educators? 2:22 sounds like the time the last (thank God) bell goes off; Kilmer will already be ensconced in Santa Fe by the time we realize it was a crime thriller.
He could even say that Stateside demonstrates knowledge of immigration issues.
So, if Val Kilmer, a Democrat, decides to make a Run for the Money, or if he has to look into the Blind Horizon and make a Spartan run for office, we'll at least know that at least one candidate is not Masked and Anonymous. A Kilmer victory would not cause Dj Vu, but could put a Real McCoy into office as New Mexico's Top Gun.
Senior writer Jeff Berg celebrates the movies every Saturday as the organizer of the weekly CineMatinee at the Fountain Theatre in Las Cruces.