More coverage of ‘Tropic Thunder’ …
August 13th, 2008The media storm over “Tropic Thunder” is well underway. Here’s just a sampling of today’s coverage. (To be updated as the day goes on.)
Tropic Thunder: Laughs and controversy — Interview on ABC Good morning America. Ben Stiller and Jack Black are asked about the controversy and protests over the word “retard.” Footage of protesters is shown with signs that say “R-word is hate speech.” An excerpt:
Q: Obviously, you know it’s a derogatory word. You surprised by the reaction?
Stiller: Well, we screened the movie so many times and this didn’t come up until very late, and I think the people who are spearheading it, at least the guy who is spearheading it, hasn’t seen the movie yet. So in the context of the film, it’s really clear we’re making fun of the actors, and actors who try to use serious subjects to win awards. It’s about actors and self-importance. So I think in the context of the movie it’s pretty clear.
‘Tropic’ demonstrators chant ‘Ban the movie! Ban the word!’ — Los Angeles Times blog
Disability groups protest ‘Tropic Thunder’ premiere — UCLA Daily Bruin
War may be hell, but Hollywood is even worse — Manohla Dargis in the New York Times. An excerpt:
Despite what you may have read lately, the biggest target of ridicule in “Tropic Thunder,” a flashy, nasty, on-and-off funny and assaultive sendup of the film industry, is not the mentally retarded. Rather, the true targets of this extreme comedy’s free-flowing contempt are the stars, makers, brokers, miscellaneous supplicants and even die-hard fans of the movies, who are all portrayed as challenged in some fashion …
Commentary: Critics of ‘Tropic Thunder’ are missing the point – by Neil Miller on CNN.com. Excerpt follows.
While groups still have every right to be upset over the use of the word “retard” or any other “disrespectful depictions,” it is the nature of their response that should be questioned. Being upset about a movie is one thing, but holding Hollywood responsible for intolerance in America is something altogether different.
Commentary: Why ‘Tropic Thunder’ shouldn’t be seen — by Timothy Shriver on CNN.com. Excerpt follows:
Some may think we ought to lighten up and not get so worked up because this is, after all, just a film. But films become part of pop culture and character lines are repeated in other settings time and time again. It’s clear to me that lines from this particular film will provide hurtful ammunition outside the movie theatre. While I realize that the film’s creators call this a parody and they never intended to hurt anyone, it doesn’t mean those words won’t.
How can you help? Ban the R-word. Ban the movie. Take a stand.
The Farrellys receive praise for…sensitivity — The Boston Globe
Tropic Thunder: Say What? — MTV.com. Excerpt follows.
The movie is … a welcome affront to the sort of humorless PC scolds who mobilized for the movie’s L.A. premiere on Tuesday — in numbers estimated by Entertainment Weekly to be “a few dozen.” Maybe the tide of whiny complaint is turning. Have any of these people noticed yet that the only child in the movie is a chain-smoking, gun-wielding heroin kingpin? Or is a protest poster already at the printer’s? Considering the business this picture’s going to do, good luck.
Tropic Blunder: R-rated comedies and the new offensive — www.filmschoolrejects.com
Bravo, Dreamworks! What courage it must have taken to make fun of ‘retards’ — www.mediaandmayhem.com
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August 14th, 2008 at 7:10 am
How about Ben Stiller? Anyone look at his track record? Something About Mary, Dodgeball anyone? Just a few of the movies he is in that make fun of people with intellectual disabilities. Anyone notice a pattern here? Sorry, the “in the context of the movie” crap doesn’t fly with me. He has a history of this behavior and attacking this group of people for a laugh. Is he going to defend these other movies with the same excuse? When is someone in the media going to call him out on this?
August 13th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I watched the Nightline episode tonight and frankly it was really just media hype for Ben Stiller and the movie. I understand that before I had my daughter maybe I would have not been so offended. But, what I do not understand are all of these actors unwillingness to even give it a second thought. I understand it is not directed at our children, but don’t they understand how it ultimately affects them? Why would they not be willing to just think into that and possibly agree to spend a day or so with some of our families and see where we are coming from? I think most of us understand what they were trying to do - can’t they try and understand where we are coming from and the affects that this can have for many many years to come?
Lisa
August 13th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
This movie was screened by reps from the NDSC, self-advocates, and many disability groups (although most who saw it were not permitted to see it until the morning of the day of the premiere.) Those who saw it thought it was much worse than what they anticipated from the now-pulled offensive promotional materials. And Ben Stiller’s response to the offensive nature of the film is that they haven’t seen it? Are we to add dishonesty to the list of offenses?
With all due respect to Chris Cuomo (at least he asked the question), Charlie Gibson never would have let Ben Stiller get away with that pathetic answer! I want someone to ask him some tough questions, such as:
1) Would you see this movie with a group of parents who have kids with intellectual disabilities?
2) Do you have any good friends with loved ones (not a second cousin or dead great-grandfather) who have an intellectual disability?
3) Did any of your focus groups include families of those with intellectual disabilities?
4) Why did you spend so much time trying to avoid offense on racial humor and none with regard to disability humor?
5) Why were Tim Shriver and many other disability advocates not allowed to screen this film until the morning of the day it premiered?
August 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I don’t get it. The country was up in arms with Don Imus over a one-line remark. He lost his job over it. Yet, Hollywood, the self-proclaimed champions of intellectual thought, civility, and sensitivity puts out a multi-million dollar assault on the intellectually disabled and everyone runs to its defense? Should we expected pitchforks and lynch mobs next to rid the world of the unwanted ‘retards’? What has Ben Stiller ever done for you? These people act like he is their best friend. It’s sick worship.
Stiller’s response in the GMA interview really shows who the real imbecile is. He even makes a big part of our argument for us:
“we screened the movie so many times and this didn’t come up until very late”
The fact that no one said anything simply illustrates the antipathy for the disabled in this country. THIS IS WHAT IS BEING PROTESTED. No one cares because they think the intellectually disabled are retards who are too stupid to understand. They even go on to admit that they are making fun of actors (themselves)…who actually feel that way. Duh!! They continually try to use circular logic to weasel out of it. It doesn’t work.
Maybe someone should give Stiller an IQ test…
August 13th, 2008 at 9:18 am
If we are going to condemn Tropic Thunder’s use of the r-word we should also condemn the use of the word in the mediaandmayhem.com title “Bravo, Dreamworks! What courage it must have taken to make fun of ‘r******’! Let’s be consistent!
August 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
We’re allowed to be upset and appalled over this photo:
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/basketball/news?slug=ro-spain081308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
but not over Tropic Thunder’s tasteless and discriminatory writing?
Though some in the picture had the same disrespectful lack of concern as Ben Stiller and Co. in their response: “It’s just a picture, what’s the problem.”