Sean Penn and gay rights, 'The Wrestler' and 'Cadillac Records'

I was rather annoyed at Kenneth Turan's review of "The Wrestler" ["As Fake as Wrestling," Dec. 17]. I saw the film at an academy screening and to dismiss this fine piece of work by the director, Darren Aronofsky, as an "essentially fake film" does a major disservice to the daring and creative director, but to the L.A. Times' readers as well.

To see and experience the degrading quality of the lives of these hulking wrestlers was a revelation, and the powerful performance by Mickey Rourke in the lead role was more than astonishing -- it was lived-in and honest and touching.

Peter Mark Richman

Woodland Hills

No substituting for blues greats

It's one thing to reinterpret the work of a music icon, but it's quite another to merely offer up even a "striking" imitation ["How 'Cadillac's' Art Imitates Life," by Robert Hilburn, Dec. 16]. Jeffrey Wright may be an excellent actor, but it is beyond presumptuous for the makers of "Cadillac Records" to substitute his vocals for those of blues maestro Muddy Waters (same for Beyoncé and Etta James, et al).

In doing so, these preening egomaniacs insult their audience and demonstrate contempt for the very blues and R&B pioneers this film purports to celebrate.

William D. Wolff

Tarzana

Sean Penn and gay rights

Toward the end of his column about Sean Penn ["The Advocate Is Not Standing by Sean Penn," Dec. 13], Patrick Goldstein wrote: "Should we concern ourselves only with Penn's wondrous work as an actor in 'Milk' . . . Or does his off-screen embrace of gay-bashing dictators matter just as much as his on-screen artistry . . . ?"

First, who's "we"? We movie-goers? We lefties? We Americans? We organizers?

It seems clear that on matters of gay rights, which I support with every fiber of my being and pocketbook, Penn is ignorant to support thugs like [Hugo] Chavez and [Raul] Castro, who are hypocritical and power mad. As a lefty, even I recognize this.

But Penn the actor should not be judged by we the people for his dunderheaded opinions. He should be judged by his talent on the screen, which is undeniable. His performance in "Milk" does more to advance the human rights of lesbians and homosexuals than any Op-Ed piece. His performance does more to make human the suffering our brothers and sisters encounter than any embrace of murderous thugs.