Helen Mirren is out promoting her latest film, Love Ranch, where she plays the owner of Nevada’s first lawful brothel. Mirren had no problems playing the character, because she’s all for legalized brothels. Mirren is all about protecting prostitutes and ending human trafficking. In Mirren’s words, “You are never going to get rid of prostitution so you might as well make it as safe as possible.” Amen, Dame Helen. She’s not just paying some lip service, either. She even visited the Mustang Ranch (a famous brothel) in Nevada to research her role. Honestly, I would prefer to see a movie about “Helen Mirren goes to a real brothel” than “Helen Mirren plays a brothel owner”, but I’ll make due with Love Ranch:
Helen Mirren has called for brothels to be legalised after spending a night with hookers at a notorious bordello. The Queen star Mirren goes from monarch to madam to play a raunchy brothel boss in her latest film.
And the 62-year-old Dame visited the infamous Mustang Ranch in Nevada to learn more about the vice trade. The star, who played a call girl in 1980 Brit movie Hussy, said: “I researched the whole notion of a brothel and went to a legal brothel in Nevada.”
“I loved the girls and the madam was wonderful – she became our advisor. She was invaluable – a wonderful woman. I am a complete believer in legal brothels. The girls are protected and free and it takes out that horrible situation of pimps and drugs.”
“Also the men who go there know the girls are medically checked and it is very carefully controlled – everyone is in a safe environment. I don’t think you are ever going to get rid of prostitution so you might as well make it as safe as possible.”
Her comments can be revealed just days after the star caused controversy by suggesting some date rapists should not be prosecuted.
Mirren plays Grace Botempo in Love Ranch alongside Goodfellas star Joe Pesci. The thriller is based on the real-life story of Joe and Sally Conforte, who opened the Mustang Ranch, Nevada’s first legal bordello, in the 1970s.
In 1976 boxer Oscar Bonavena was shot dead, allegedly over his affair with Sally.
One of Mirren’s main reasons for taking the gritty role is that the film is directed and produced by her husband, Oscar-winner Taylor Hackford.
[From The Sunday Mail]
I never would have thought to put Joe Pesci and Helen Mirren together as a married couple, but it makes some sort of sense. I bet they had a great time working together, and it sounds like an interesting movie.
It should be noted that Dame Helen is taking a stand for legalized brothels, not necessarily legalized prostitution across the board. This is much like what Nevada has – legalized prostitution is limited to licensed brothels, but all other forms are outlawed (like street-walking and escort services). Except in Nevada, legalized prostitution goes county by county, it’s not a state ordinance. With a spokesperson like Helen Mirren, do you think the cause of legalized brothels will gain some traction?
Here’s Helen Mirren at the State Of Play – UK film in London on April 21st. Images thanks to WENN.com .
love her.
I completely agree with her. That’s always been my opinion as well, prostitution is not going away so we may as well make it safer for them, by introducing some regulation and bring it out of the back alleys. Way to go Helen.
Have to.
I totally agree and even more so in the third world countries where it is a form of slavery. Yes, I realize it can be here too. Make it a well run business, pay taxes, take care of the women, and make sure no one is under 18.
Helen would make a brilliant Madam, on and off the screen.
I’ve been saying the same thing for years. I met her in New York once and she was so nice and gracious to me. Love her
I was having a conversation regarding the legalization of brothels a few days ago, odd timing. But yes, I totally agree with her, and it’s really a great thing to have someone that is so well respected to take a public stance on such a sadly taboo issue. The number of violence and STD related occurrences would drop significantly, and not just amongst the women (or men) who make their living in the sex trade.
I think the number of issues beyond sexually transmitted disease, and violence that could be greatly improved w/ the legalization of brothels are much higher than many want to give it credit for, whether this is due to a morality issue, a social issue, or whatever else, I’m not sure, I just find it a little disconcerting that in this age, and with the knowledge that we are armed with, many people are still so hung up in the 1950’s square mentality that sex is bad and immoral, and even worse that the people who participate in the business are disgusting worthless whores who don’t deserve to be treated w/ respect, or a safe work environment. It’s almost up there with the whole oh she was wearing a short skirt and therefore was asking for it sort of mentality. Not pretty.
It’s just refreshing to hear such a progressive stance on the topic. Good stuff.
I agree with Helen, but I don’t see it happening in this country. Frankly, we’re bad at women’s rights. Just look at how we deal with domestic violence and people’s attitudes about that (on this very website). Also, women’s reproductive freedoms are constantly assailed and women still make significantly less money than men. I did read something recently, though, that surprised me. Apparently, the police will now start to regard teenage prostitution as child abuse and the girl as a victim, rather than a criminal. This is eminently sane and I really do applaud this move, if, in fact, it’s true.
you know i just dont know what to make of her-as this is very different to her comments about date-rape last year.
Were our forefathers wrong? Was Benjamin Franklin wrong? He used to hire so many prostitutes that he even joked once that he was surprised “it” didn’t fall off.
I just watched a special last night about human trafficking. I was very surprised at how prevalent (with the advent of the internet) sexual slavery of young girls has become. Jeez. I’m having to dodge a large orange kitty to get to me flamin’ keyboard…..
More and more people who used to be in the drug trade are turning to this because it’s so lucrative and harder to get caught. Pimps are even trolling for underage girls to kidnap from all kinds of innocuous places (even home) and then beating them into submission and brainwashing them into believing their families will be killed if they don’t comply. I was blown away by how big a problem this has become.
i completely agree… i find it rather shameful how little society does to protect women… with all the murders, rapes and beatings that women endure, i’m really surprised there isn’t some sort of private company that has taken up this cause (for a profit albeit).
for instance, home safety and car safety are big businesses.. why aren’t there more products and services to protect women’s safety? the only thing i can think of is mace…
can’t we as a society think of SOMETHING to protect women instead of criminalizing them even further? dunno, seems like there’s a dire need…
Much like other posters, I agree with her, and for the same reasons. There is no job I would want less than working in the sex industry (seriously….I’d clean up bloody crime scenes first!), but it isn’t about morality or personal choices, it’s about protecting women and girls.
Worst. Argument. Ever.
Just because you’re never going to completely eliminate something doesn’t mean you should legalize it.
I wouldn’t mind this argument so much if the proponents of it used it for everything, like murder. You’re never going to get rid of it – legalize it! Forget laws; people are always going to break them.
Orangejulius : that makes me really sad. and scared!
I mean, i know this stuff goes on, but isn’t all happening in like, eastern europe?
@ menace,
i see your point, but the difference is that legalizing brothels actually serves to protect both sex-trade workers and their clients while legalizing murder would obviously do the exact opposite. it’s apples and oranges.
Her boobs are really nice for a 62 year old woman. Just saying.
She’s right & shoes aside she looks great.
Ms. Mirren is super sexy for a woman of her age.I look forward to the release of the film ,Bonevena was quite a character,he gave my man Ali a hell of a rumble.
Helen Mirren is a great-lookiing actress for a woman of her age.I look forward to seeing her in this movie. Bonevena was one tough fighter who gave my man Ali one hell of a fight.
Legalize it, tax it, and regulate it.
Makes a lot more sense than trying to prohibit it.
Let prostitution GENERATE money for the common good, rather than COSTING the public coffers a lot for police, court costs, etc.