05 August 2008
The about-to-be-released Ben Stiller flick “Tropic Thunder” includes offensive remarks about people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and a character named “Simple Jack”. Movie marketing materials refer to him as a “retard”. The movie also features a character in blackface. Disability rights groups are protesting and DreamWorks executives will meet with disability advocates this Wednesday. A DreamWorks Chief Executive says, “I’m proud of the movie. It is hysterically funny. I do think it’s got its heart in the right place.” Tropic Thunder is rated “R”. In addition to stars Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, and Tom Cruise also appear in the film.
SOURCES:
"Dreamworks to Meet With Disability Groups" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/arts/05artsDREAMWORKSTO_BRF.html?ref=arts
"Ben Stiller - Stiller Movie in Disability Row"
The about-to-be-released Ben Stiller flick “Tropic Thunder” includes offensive remarks about people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and a character named “Simple Jack”. Movie marketing materials refer to him as a “retard”. The movie also features a character in blackface. Disability rights groups are protesting and DreamWorks executives will meet with disability advocates this Wednesday. A DreamWorks Chief Executive says, “I’m proud of the movie. It is hysterically funny. I do think it’s got its heart in the right place.” Tropic Thunder is rated “R”. In addition to stars Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, and Tom Cruise also appear in the film.
SOURCES:
"Dreamworks to Meet With Disability Groups" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/arts/05artsDREAMWORKSTO_BRF.html?ref=arts
"Ben Stiller - Stiller Movie in Disability Row"
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/stiller%20movie%20in%20disability%20row_1076449
"New Film Tests Crudity’s Limits"
"New Film Tests Crudity’s Limits"
RELATED:
Patricia E. Bauer Addresses the Film Fray:
· http://www.patriciaebauer.com/
DreamWorks Animation Stock Downgraded, Falling:
· http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/30/ap5271924.html
· http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awaI3ASDxVWk&refer=home
· http://online.barrons.com/article/SB121745096033198073.html?mod=googlenews_barrons (Barrons requires subscription)
Patricia E. Bauer Addresses the Film Fray:
· http://www.patriciaebauer.com/
DreamWorks Animation Stock Downgraded, Falling:
· http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/30/ap5271924.html
· http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awaI3ASDxVWk&refer=home
· http://online.barrons.com/article/SB121745096033198073.html?mod=googlenews_barrons (Barrons requires subscription)
10 comments:
I did see this movie, and to be honest I did find it funny. Before seeing the actual film though, I did have a feeling that the blackface Robert Downey Jr. used was going to garner the film animosity with the public. I wasn't aware at the time but the use of language and jokes towards people with disabilities is numerous. Including Nick Nolte pretending to be an Vietnam Veteran with amputated hands.
- Carlo G.
This movie may of been offensive to people with disability, but many things aren't always right. By now we should know some people are out there to make money,no matter who they hurt.
Raquel M
I had not even heard that there were people trying to boycott or ban this movie, until I came to class. I am a fan of most of the main characters in the movie Tropic Thunder and I am very interested in watching the movie. I would like to see and hear for myself how the movie offended people with disabilities. I have been told that in the movie the word “retard” is overused. I do believe this is cruel word, but I have used it with my brothers and sisters. I do not mean it for them to take it offensively but I have used that word in place of dumb or stupid. Which stupid is still a mean word but when in rage I cannot detain myself from saying it. One of my professors assigned a list of movie to watch for the course and this is one of them. I will try to see this movie with a professional perspective, I know in some situations I will laugh because it is a comedy but I will try by best to point out the offensive remarks.
Crystal S.
2 of 12
After reading this article I decided to watch the movie before posting any comments. I would have to say that it is a funny movie. The word retard was used several times in the movie, but I do not feel that this would be a reason for disability right groups to protest. The reason I say this is because there have been other movies and comedians like Carlos Mencia and Larry the Cable Guy that refer to the word retard and use intellectual disabilities as a form of entertainment far more than Tropic Thunder has without having disability groups publicly going after them. I can see on the side of the disability advocates how the movie targets people with developmental and intellectual disabilities as entertainment. I think that protestors might also feel that the general public feels that having a certain disability is funny but I do not believe the public feels this way. We all know that having any disability is nothing to laugh at.
James D.
I have not seen the movie and refuse to see it. I will not contribute money to an industry that promotes and make fun of people with disabilites. Besides, when I go to see a movie I expect to enjoy it and not come out of there with a big disappointment which I know I will be! If I feel bad I wonder how a person with a disablitiy feels. Now that it is coming out on video I will admit to being a bit curious but know I will be disappointed and upset by watching it. People can be so nieve and uneducated or do they just not care and all they are interested in is making money? Well, could be both!!!Igarza
I saw this movie and I thought it is was funny, but too exaggerated. However, now that I come to think about it the movie was offensive. It did portray people with disabilities are idiots or that they take advantage just like Nick Nolte did by pretending to have no hands.
I agree with Raquel I don't think this movie was created to offend people with disabilities but to make money; unfortunately, disabilities were used in this movie.
Mariam G.
Many movies have been in the market that use the word “retarded.” And no one really has said anything. Presently, ADA is growing and more people are people advocated for people with disabilities. I think this I just a movie, for example movies that make fun of ethnicity, partner, race and gender. One should be informed that the movie is a “funny movie.” And if one does not want to be disturb or upset about it, they should not go to see it.
M.Munoz
I agree with mariam G. This move was intentially meant to be funny like other groups PWD were the target.
Monica M.
i did also think the movie was funny. when i saw it i couldnt stop laughing but i really do not think that people should take anythink offensive come i am sure that the writer of this film sat there and said "ok lets make fun of people with disablilities" i dont think that is what happened. And its true though its for the money in the entertainment indrustry. i liked it and i agree with James there are way other things out there that are worse.
Carmen G.
I did happen to see this movie. Most of the movie was funny, but there was a part when Ben Stiller did act like if he was intellectually challanged. He was making fun of some movie that came out and he was pretending to be that kid. In my opinion when I saw that part I thought it was not right to show because some people might get offended. Once they so that people might say that all people with an intellectual disorder are that way but in most cases they are not. This was a good movie but in a way it was also bad the way they made people with disabilites look. Maybe some of the actors felt bad for acting as if they were disabled but they are getting paid for it so I dont think it really bothered them or they even thought about if it would offend anyone.
Tracy S.
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