Comments on: Tropic Thunder: ‘Once upon a time … There was a retard’

By: al

al — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:24:59 +0000

Should we never have a serious or comedic portrayal of a person of color or nationality or religion, etc. etc. ever again? Didn’t Cheech and Chong give us entertainment with their portrayals of Mexicans, biker-types, and pot-smokers? Didn’t the Wayans do the same with portrayals of life in “the ‘hood” with movies like “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” almost 20 years ago, which not only used racial stereotypes, but also spoofed gangster movies? “Blazing Saddles” almost 30 years ago and it’s jokes using the “N word?” How many of you laughed at so many scenes in “Airplane?” However, (of course!)I would never go up to a real biker, person of color, etc. and make the same fun because it would probably land me in a hospital. Hollywood does not exist as an ‘example-setter’ for the world. It exists as a form of entertainment (serious or not)plain and simple. The important part is that parents do THEIR JOB in talking to their children (challenged or not) and make it clear to them what is real and what is fantasy/entertainment, that the world is not perfect and that we are all going to come across ignorance, prejudice, carelessness if not just outright stupidity of one kind or another sometime in our lives, it’s unavoidable. The real test of courage, strength, self-preservation, dignity and righteousness is how you as an individual are going to deal with that adversity, and how deeply you’re willing to let it affect you. There are some, of their own ability to think for themselves, who will shrug it off; and there are those who won’t/can’t make their own decisions. Is that Hollywood’s or the public-at-large’s fault? No. The plain fact is there are weak, and there are strong; the strong will sometimes help the weak, the weak may teach the strong something. And all of it goes to varying degrees. There are some truly ignorant people who wouldn’t hurt a flea; then there are very intelligent people who do extremely stupid things…It would be wrong for me to assume that a mentally-challenged person couldn’t stand up for themselves in any regard…There are some people I’ve worked with whom I’d call retarded to their face, just for the fact they have no sense, and there are mentally challenged people for whom I have more respect, to do the right things, and maybe even have more courage…I found the characterizations funny as hell at some points, and they DID make fun of different Hollywood movie characters, and yet, I still know right from wrong: to not assume lack of intelligence, usefullness, and not to harm based purely and solely on someone’s difference such as skin-color or mental capacity.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:01:07 +0000

This movie, according to it’s makers “is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the-top characters in ridiculous situations.”

Your children are not the intended audience, so don’t let them watch ANYWAY. Why would you let your children watch R rated movies even if they didn’t offend you personally?

Also, maybe you should view the movie then form an opinion of it? That would seem to be the only way to make an objective decision unless, of course, you are told what your opinions are instead of thinking for yourself. I actually have not seen the film yet, so I’ll save my judgment until I have. I myself am curious of the context in which these terms are used.

As a person with a minor disability I am grateful to live in a country where I can speak freely and advocate for myself. I do understand though, that that right sometimes means I have to hear things I don’t want to hear. When I do hear something I don’t like, I remember that it is a GOOD thing. My rights are still intact.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:20:25 +0000

I am the mother of a eight year old son who is moderately mentally retarded. I will not be watching this movie. I will not spend my money to hear even in a movie someone being called retarded. My child is young but knowing the way kids are my child will be called this word eventually. You can go see the movie if you want to but as the mother of a child who is mentally retarded I will not.

By: SimpleJack

SimpleJack — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:40:32 +0000

So many pure people in here. Aren’t there better things to worry about? No? Thought as much since you have time to get angry about a movie.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:38:37 +0000

Everyone of you who says that this movie is a slap in the face to people with disabilities needs to realize that part of being treated equally is being expected to tolerate offensive jokes. Or are you implying that the disabled lack the capacity for humor?

By: Neasa

Neasa — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:04:54 +0000

I saw the movie tonight and as a relitave of someone with special needs I didn’t think they were making fun of those people. Rather the Hollywood industry who try to make a buck off these people. How come there was no outcry over Forrest Gump? Is it just the word retard? But isn’t/wasn’t that the term for a certain disability? Maybe next year we won’t be allowed to say “intellectually challenged” or “visually impared” or heaven forbid, “special needs”. We’re going to have to use sign language soon because these days you can’t say anything without offending someone.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:33:51 +0000

“Retard” French for “slow.” The fact that a word can be deemed “offensive” is laughable. Words are what you make them to be.

Simple solution to the situation: Don’t get riled up and write a blog/demand retribution when the word is used commonly. You are giving those who are making the joke more fuel to keep using the word that you see as offensive.

By: Choader

Choader — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 20:27:11 +0000

Thanks for the pic! I’ve been looking for stuff on simple jack but people keep pulling it. I’m glad someone’s not afraid to publicize humorous material online! Kudos!

By: David

David — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:46:51 +0000

This whole discussion is retarded.

By: Tamir

Tamir — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:01:17 +0000

Whoever made this article really needs to get some sort of life. The only people who make these articles are people who couldn’t take a joke in high school and where probably an outcast. You have to take a joke every once in a while or else no one will like you for being serious all the time.
It’s the same with people who get disgusted with video game violence,blood,gore etc. It’s just a video. It’s no one else’s problem but the parents of the child. FOX news ribbed on Geoff Keighley on the Mass Effect game because it had “loads of sexual content in it”. In reality it had next to none and FOX said kids shouldn’t play it. Well thats why it was rated M for Mature. Same goes for movies. If you can’t take a movie or a video game with a “grain of salt” then you my sir are a retard…