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If Mad Max Could Speak, What Would He Tell Mel?

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Martin's sister-in-law tells him, "You have done nothing for which you should be ashamed."

"I have done nothing," Gibson's character replies. "And for that I am ashamed."

The take-away for Gibson here is that however hard he must work to put this problem behind him, the only truly bad move is inaction.

Conspiracy Theory (1997): In allegedly saying during his drunken tirade things like "The Jews are responsible for all of the wars in the world," Gibson sounds a lot like the paranoid Jerry Fletcher, his character from "Conspiracy Theory."

Of course, Fletcher didn't blame all international conflicts on any single group. "The Vietnam War was fought over a bet that Howard Hughes lost to Aristotle Onassis."

Fletcher overcomes some of his anxieties, thanks to co-star Julia Roberts, so perhaps Gibson will reach out to a few friends.

Hamlet (1990): Frailty, thy name is Mel Gibson. Having to own up to alcohol addiction is certainly wrought with the same angst with which Hamlet ponders "To be, or not to be." And the Danish prince concludes what many in recovery will tell you: "Conscience does make cowards of us all."

Until then, something is rotten in the state of Denmark … or Malibu.

Buck Wolf is an entertainment producer at ABCNEWS.com. "The Wolf Files" is published Tuesdays.

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