Tom Arnold challenges Time Out's critics

Tom Arnold responds to Time Out's criticism of his new film with details of his own sexual abuse

Tom Arnold has responded loudly to Time Out's criticism of his latest film, 'Gardens of the Night', in which he plays a paedophile.

Time Out Film editor Dave Calhoun recently returned from the Berlin Film Festival, which was considered by many critics to have been a lacklustre affair.

One of the films which screened at the festival was British director Damien Harris’ ‘Gardens of the Night’ – a flashback drama about a seven-year-old girl (Ryan Simpkins) who is kidnapped by a paedophile (Tom Arnold) and abused over several years.

Our report said that 'Gardens of the Night' was 'objectionable' and 'a mediocre flashback drama'.

Our critic also confessed that he left the room before the end of the film.

Arnold quickly responded to our report. He detailed his objections and also offered intimate details on how the sexual abuse he suffered as a child informed his role in the film.

Arnold even explains how he once took vigilante action to warn other potential victims of abuse – sending his own ranch-hands to put up posters all over Des Moines, Iowa.

Read our original report and Arnold’s candid response.

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