CRIME WATCH : Plenty of Examples

In the debate over Hollywood’s effects on society, particularly the effects of movie and television violence, a central question is whether art imitates life or life imitates art. The latter half of that question is being sounded amid fear and anger this week after an assault last Sunday in which a flammable liquid was squirted into a New York City subway token booth and then set ablaze, severely burning the clerk inside.

The crime is strikingly similar to a scene in Columbia Pictures’ new release “Money Train.” The producers say they got the idea from a series of attacks that took place in New York in 1988.

“Money Train,” which grossed $15.5 million in its first weekend, is turning out to be a headache for Columbia executives who, even as they watch the dollars roll in, have found themselves having to fend off the accusation that their movie fueled copycat mayhem.

Leading the charge is Sen. Bob Dole, a frequent but selective movie critic. Earlier this year he deplored some violent films as “nightmares of depravity,” while lauding other violent films. The Senate majority leader is now urging moviegoers to derail “Money Train” with a boycott.

Hollywood’s lamentable fixation with violence does invite criticism. But it’s important to remember that violence in America is a complex issue that grows out of many causes. If only we could lay the blame for heinous acts on the movies. That could be satisfying for a fleeting moment. But real-life crime unfortunately provides more than enough bad examples to imitate.