Looks like the comedy stylings of Ben Stiller and company are coming under harsh criticisms by groups like the Special Olympics that are calling for an all out boycott on Tropic Thunder for its portrayal and derogatory use of terms referring to the mentally handicapped.
Dreamworks already pulled down a promotional web site that was considered offensive a few days ago, as William Goss reported, and has altered some television advertising, but that’s as far as they’re going. A spokesman told the NYT : “No changes or cuts to the film will be made.” Both Stiller and Dreamworks exec Stacy Snider insist they are not targeting the disabled, but the foolish ambition of certain actors. Shriver told the NYT he’s asking members of Congress “for a resolution condemning what he called ‘hate speech’ in the movie.” The film’s repeated use of the term “retard” is “a particular sore point.”
Well how do you write about that without coming off as either an insensitive jerk or picking up a sign and joining in the protest. Personally, I think if the content of a movie offends you, then don’t go see the movie.
I agree that using terms that some might find offensive is nothing short of insensitive. I won’t make excuses for that.
Unfortunately, I don’t think this will make any progress for awareness of their organization short of eye rolling mockery. Using “retard” in a movie as an insult or even making fun of a person comparing them to that condition is insensitive, but thats what insults are.
Last week I went to the Circus and there were animal activists protesting outside. Not one person turned back.
I don’t see much coming of this, nor do I expect it will hurt the potential box office.
Two words…. WHITE CHICKS
Where was the uproar over two black men doing white face? I am tired of the racism that white people are facing. If everyone is equal then we should be treated equal…
Where is white history month?
Please….
I am so sick of the protests involved with this movie. How dare they try to censor the artistic integrity of this work. The director of the Special Olympics is mad because they use the word retarded. Come on this was the scientific name associated with this disability like 10 years ago. Now they change the name every year or so because they don’t like the negative connotations associated with the word de jour, but every time they change the name the same connotations are then associated with the new word. Really they are mad because people think retarded people are funny. That is not going to change, even if you try to attach serious sounding words to the disability. Ok, so what happens in five years when intellectual disability (the Special Olympic director’s word of choice) becomes passé. Will we then label this man as a bigot for uttering this insensitive word.
This is fu#king stupid. The all out assault of political correctness strikes again! It is an “offensive comedy”. This is nothing more than the media trying to stir up crap where there is none. As far as special interest groups taking offense, get a life. Spend your time more constructively helping those you should be helping and don’t waste your resources whining about a comedy movie for free negative publicity to your cause!
You get no sympathy for your cause from me for attacking a comedy movie, move on and do something worthy of media attention.
“Hate Speech” is best defined by the attitude with which words are used – not the actual words themselves. This is beyond foolishness. It is getting to the point where one cannot say anything for fear of offending the delicate senses of the – dare I say it – retarded.
The films rated R, you don’t like it don’t see it….
This is really retarded. I mean seriously. The comment in the film is actually against hollywood for playing mentally disabled characters in movies just to get Oscar cred. So, to punish the film for making fun of the industry itself is just silly.
Best comedy of the Year by far. Check this out and forget the boycotts.
ok chris i agree with u 100% but i can see a race uproar over this one more so than white chicks because of the “blackface” history….im black and i think downey jr. is gold for this role….but i wont be surprised if there is an eventual uproar…..i dont condone it at all but i wouldnt be surprised…
See its rated R,,,for a reason….
Kristina made a great point!
Good god. Enough with the care bear society already. It’s called Tropic Thunder and the movie is obviously not a serious propaganda flick targeted at people with mental problems so why the controversy?
@Rodney
There is absolutely no reason for this to go racial..AT ALL. If it does then I think we should start discussing the completely absurd double standard in our society. “White Chicks” anyone?
Rodney, I thought the same thing when I first saw this trailer, but the two African American guys I’ve mentioned this movie to are planning to see it. They thought that it looked hilarious.
If they really want people to boycott this, they should just tell everyone Tom Cruise is in it. Insults, wacky child abuse, and racial comedy are box office gold.
simple jack is fucking HILARIOUS
dont worry rodney its only a matter of time…
i agree with KRISTINA, this will only give them publicity & make people wanna know whats going on. if you get offended walk out of the theater & try to get your money back or just dont buy the dvd when it comes out…
And I am surprised that the “white guy who under goes surgery to play a black man” in the movie isn’t getting the racial group up in arms too.
Oh wait. Its a comedy. You are not meant to take it seriously.
Just Sayin
I have a mentally handicap sister and I strongly agree that this word is inappropriate and insensitive. However, I have to say this is a little ridiculous. This is a comedy, insults are part of it. Now what Michael Savage said, WAS insensitive and they had every right to protest and try to get him fired. This is a comedy, boycotting this film for these reasons is silly. I mean why don’t we just boycott for child abuse, I haven’t seen the movie but I saw the trailer. The part when Stiller throws the Asian kid off the bridge, that’s child abuse. That’s about how ridiculous these claims are.
“…asking members of Congress for a resolution condemning what he called ‘hate speech’ in the movie.”
Oops. Freedom of speech nimrod.
When will people realize that boycotts only give your target FREE PUBLICITY and draw in people who are curious to see what the fuss is about? You really wanna fuck with a movie, don’t talk about it!
For Christ’s sake, people are too sensitive. Get over it. If you hate it, don’t see it and leave everyone else alone.