Emma Thompson on the refugee crisis (and climate change) on Newsnight last night

[Donotknowhownottomind]

She was IMO articulate, funny, intelligent, caring, not at all lovey and I hope David Cameron was watching.

link

[ElkeDagMeisje]

I got a slightly different impression, without discussing the cause. I thought she came across as fanatical, very much using her acting skills and swung from acting angry to acting syncophatic. I can't really explain why, but I didn't get a great impression of her. But then again, I don't really see actors as spokespeople for the masses.

[GoblinLittleOwl]

Emma Thompson is a very good actress. Full stop.

[derxa]

I didn't see it but I think she is generally quite self important a complete pain in the arse

[nicoleshitzinger]

She's right though - environmental problems in Equatorial countries will cause political unrest in those places and mass migration.

Good for her to speak up about it - she's an intelligent and extremely well informed woman.

[InimitableJeeves]

What she said was absolutely right.

[RedEllen]

I thought she came across as fanatical, very much using her acting skills and swung from acting angry to acting syncophatic. I can't really explain why, but I didn't get a great impression of her.

I'm not really an Emma Thompson fan but I think that's unfair. I didn't detect any fanaticism but it's obvious that it is something deeply important to her. So being emphatic and passionate is to be expected, really.

As to actors being spokespeople - you probably wouldn't be posting about it if Jane Bloggs from accounts had been talking about this subject on Newsnight, would you? And Jane Bloggs would probably never have got as far as being interviewed on Newsnight.

Which is sort of explains why they get famous people involved in these campaigns, doesn't it?

[KanyeWestPresidentForLife]

It's just a case of somebody who is fantastically wealthy and privileged demanding policy changes which may be detrimental to other people but never to them.

[PlaysWellWithOthers]

Yes, Kanye, I suspect a 50% tax bracket will have no effect on her at all.... oh no, hang on a sec....

[Discogeek]

I really like her, she obviously cares very deeply about the subject and uses her influence and voice to speak up for those who cannot.

I don't know if she still is but she used to be a patron of Refugee Council and did a lot for them.

[juneau]

She's very eloquent and she's a great actress, but all these people urging 'open the doors!', I wonder how think that will help. If we let in 3,000, does she really think that would be the end of it? That's the issue - its not just 3,000 or even 300,000 - there MILLIONS of people who'd love to move to developed nations if those nations do just 'open the doors'. And where we all be then?

[MissBattleaxe]

It's just a case of somebody who is fantastically wealthy and privileged demanding policy changes which may be detrimental to other people but never to them.

I disagree. She put her money where her mouth was and adopted a refugee. Her son is An African Orphan and she and Greg Wise adopted him and paid for his education as if he were their own. He is now a graduate, and fluent in English.

I think she is both passionate and well informed and willing to do something that many people would not.

[RedEllen]

I'd forgotten that, MissBattleaxe. You've reminded me that I read an interview with Phyllida Law ages ago where she talked about the adoption.

[MissBattleaxe]

www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/actress-emma-thompson-introduces-her-adopted-refugee-son-at-mandela-party-6931277.html

[Squooshed]

She put her money where her mouth was and adopted a refugee.

Exactly.

[RachelZoe]

I can't take any Roman Polanski sympathizer seriously regarding their angst over humanitarian issues.

[ElkeDagMeisje]

RedEllen I'm not really an Emma Thompson fan but I think that's unfair. I didn't detect any fanaticism but it's obvious that it is something deeply important to her. So being emphatic and passionate is to be expected, really.

I actually thought she was erratic and a bit unhinged, and I'm surprised that people are raving about it. She continually talked over Emily Maitliss, she swung from one extreme reaction to another and came across as very egotistical and convinced that she was right. Despite having no relevant qualifications say in science that would qualify her comments. Which brings me to your comments below:

As to actors being spokespeople - you probably wouldn't be posting about it if Jane Bloggs from accounts had been talking about this subject on Newsnight, would you? And Jane Bloggs would probably never have got as far as being interviewed on Newsnight

I couldn't give a fig whether some actor wants to be a mouthpiece or not, there are school students who could make relevant points more rationally and construct a better argument. And do so without promoting their own public image and ego or trendy humanitarian cause which is what some actors do, some of whom are pretty unhinged and not people I'd generally take as a guideline on how to live my life.

MissBattleaxe He is now a graduate, and fluent in English.

I should bloody hope so. Most children who have been though the entire English school system are, whether or not they began life as African refugees or not!

[MissBattleaxe]

I should bloody hope so. Most children who have been though the entire English school system are, whether or not they began life as African refugees or not!

but he wasn't adopted until he was a teen and barely spoke a word of English when they adopted him at age 15 or 16. I call that an incredible achievement. He wasn't adopted as a pre schooler.

[howabout]

Agree with Elka on this one. I found her incredibly patronising. Being a good actress who can sell a story does not make you an authority on environmental or political World affairs. If she had referenced someone with actual credentials I might have had a more forgiving opinion of her haranguing the poor ignorant masses.

I don't remember Madonna getting unqualified plaudits for going around adopting refugees.

[MissBattleaxe]

You can be well informed without having to be qualified. She has adopted a refugee and also been on the Refugee Council as a patron and has been very involved with them. She is using her profile for a good cause and to inform others. I don't see how she needs to be a professor in it before she can share knowledge.