Save Tropic Thunder

By Josh Tyler: 2008-08-05 23:40:46

Tropic Thunder is one of the funniest movies you’ll see all year… assuming the champions of political correctness don’t destroy it first. Disability advocates are marshaling their forces to save us all from the shocking use of the word “retard” in the film. Unfortunately for people with a sense of humor, it’s one of the funniest things in it. Apparently "retard" is now worse than the N word, which seems to show up in every other film without the slightest complaint. That's right, a word used to describe mentally handicapped people who for the most part don't know or care anyway, is now worse than a word which was for hundreds of years a symbol of slavery, oppression, and hatred.

It started with some rumbling in comments sections and on message boards around the internet, now disability organizations are apparently starting to demand changes to the movie in order to water it down, lest it hurt the feelings of retards (yep, I said it), and they’re starting to scare off DreamWorks pictures.

At issue is the movie’s funniest premise. Ben Stiller plays actor Tugg Speedman, an action hero type whose one attempt at serious acting had him baiting Oscar with his portrayal of a stereotypical retarded man, complete with bad haircut and buck teeth. The funniest line in the film relates to his character, as Robert Downey Jr. explains to him why the character didn’t work the way so many other mentally handicapped characters have. “You never go full retard,” he says after one of the most inspired, satirical conversations on the state of things in Hollywood that I’ve heard in anything all year. It’s the movie’s big laugh, it’s the thing you’re remember most, and now you may not even see it because DreamWorks has in fact, already started to cave.

According to the NY Times they’ve agreed to meet with the leaders of angry disability groups who will demand they make changes before the movie’s release a mere week away. They object to the use of the word retard, and will probably want it replaced with something more politically correct and completely unfunny, especially in an R-rated movie which gets most of its strength from being flat out, hilariously offensive. Simply put, these groups want to ruin the film, in the name of political correctness. There’s no other way to put it. That’s what’s going on. There’s no way to give them what they want without destroying one of the funniest movies of the year.

This is ridiculous isn’t it? With only a week to go and glowing reviews of the movie already piling up on the internet, there’s no way DreamWorks would cave in to their ridiculous, anti-free speech demands is there? Well not so fast there cowboy. They just may. In fact, they’ve already started to give in.

A viral website dedicated to Ben Stiller’s mentally challenged “Simple Jack” character has already been ripped off the internet. And if you click over to the viral site for his Tropic Thunder alter ego Tugg Speedman, you’ll see no mention of Simple Jack, a pivotal part of the film and Tugg Speedman’s career, listed anywhere in his fake filmography. DreamWorks is already giving in. What will happen when faced with even more pressure on Wednesday? Speaking as a fan of the movie, and retards everywhere, folks, I’m not digging these odds.

The galling thing here is that in context, the character of Simple Jack and in fact even the use of the word “retard” is used specifically to lampoon the callous way in which Hollywood sometimes uses the mentally challenged to score acting points. Tropic Thunder is actually on the side of the very people trying to ruin it. Unfortunately, many of these people seem to have absolutely no sense of humor.

DreamWorks needs to know that this is merely a very loud minority they’re dealing with. And the only way to do that is for you to tell them. Email, comments, whatever. DreamWorks is watching. Hit your keyboard and make yourself heard. Save Tropic Thunder. Save Simple Jack. Save free speech. Save adult conversation. Save the retards.

For a reference, here’s the clip in question… I’d recommend waiting until the movie to see it in context when it’ll be funnier, but who knows if it’ll even make the movie. Watch it while you can:

Read Katey's counter-rant - Tropic Thunder Deserves Controversy.

RELATED: political correctness, simple jack, ben stiller, retard, tropic thunder

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Adnan Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 00:15
I want them to keep it in the movie, but If they must take it out, I hope they put something more. These groups might as well ban the word anywhere on TV or film, if one funny comedy is not allowed to use the word, when it's specifically rated R and warns you before hand. The movie is intended for adults, they should leave it alone.

HaywoodJablomie Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 01:25
Maybe Dreamworks should just grow a set, and keep this scene in the movie. And these disability groups ought to grow up a little, stop sitting down to pee, and learn to laugh at a joke! At this rate, there will be almost
nothing that we are allowed to say by 2025 because it will/might/could possibly/ theoretically hurt someones feelings. Has the whole world gone emo, or just Hollywood? I need to go vomit now.

Justin Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 13:51
For the love of God, when will this nonsense end? Our country is being destroyed by special interest nonsense one day at a time! Since when do we censor art because a small minority finds it offensive? The United States has become so politically correct that even the term "politically correct" isn't politically correct anymore! That's too harsh. Now it's "socially sensitive." Absurd.

Evi Treffs Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 13:52
Dear Josh and others of like mind,

Hooray for you. By the luck of the draw you apparently were all born with at least average intelligence, albeit subaverage comedic sensibilities.

My son, on the other hand, was born with Down syndrome; and I assure you he knows and cares when he hears the word "retard", especially when applied to him. When he was young it made him cry, now it makes him angry. Hooray for him.

AgentDaleCooper Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 13:52
i'm allergic to retard jokes. take it out.

liz Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 13:56
Hey guys, It's not so much the fact that the R word is used, it's that it seems OK to ridicule those who are retarded. If you are trying to tell me that Stiller is actually trying to raise awareness and promote sensitivity, then I just don't buy it! How about a load of Christians make a movie that rips the sh*t out of Jewish people? The difference there of course is that they could adequately defend themselves if they were offended, but those who are mentally disabled often cannot. And that's a BIG difference. I'm afraid Stiller just picked the wrong minority group to make a point (if he really was trying to make one) He should just admit it was a mistake - not easy I know with all this money at stake, but that really shouldn't make a difference.

Kal Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 14:07
Liz:

It is ok to ridicule the retarded. It's ok to ridicule anyone. That's one of the consequences, the best consequences, of living in a free society. Never said Stiller was trying to raise awareness, and he doesn't have to.

There are TONS of movies that rip the shit out of Christians and Jewish people. It happens every day, in movie after movie. Look up the movie Religulous, coming out later this year. Comedy exists to point out the ridiculousness in the world around us, and everything is fair game, or is supposed to be.

JoshT Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 14:22
Dear Evi Treffs and others of like mind,

Hooray for you. By the luck of the draw you apparently were all born with good looks and the ability to get girls.

I on the other hand, was born nerdy and awkward; and I assure you I used to know and care when people would call me a nerd, and kick me in the back when I walked through the hall at school. When I was young it made me cry, now... it has made me stronger. Words only have power over you if you give them power. It is not the job of society to coat the world in fluffy pillows to protect everyone from having their feelings hurt.

William Usher Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 17:33
Well said.

matt Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 17:33
It is a joke. We live in a society where everything is fair game, and everyone is allowed to be made fun of.

That said, this scene and that bit in the movie is making fun of hollywood for casting actors in handicapped roles and then saying how wonderful and "brave" those actors are. This bit is making fun of pretentious hollywood - not handicapped people. Even if it was directly making fun of the handicapped it should be allowed. Free speech means sticking up for the speech you may not like.

So suck it up defenders of the handicapped, and don't be afraid to laugh once in a while.

bob Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 17:33
what kind of world do we live in if something that might possibly offend somebody gets removed. should we do the same with people deathly allergic to peanuts remove all peanuts from the earth because some people could die from it yeah good for the allergenic but what about the peanut lovers now there are no peanuts for them to eat is that fair no because most people aren't allergic and this applies to this movie most people aren't offended so why do anything.

SimpleJack Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 17:33
Are you people, um, retarded? Seriously.

Tropic Thunder is a comedy- it's satire (which, if you look it up in the dictionary is: "the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc." Also, while you're at it, look up the word retarded- who's root is French and means, literally, to be late or slow.) Also, you have to see the ENTIRE movie before you get rankled about ten seconds of it.

Even I understand that and I am, actually, retarded. And since it's my heritage, I get to "reclaim" the word for "approved" uses, right? Well, I'm happy to see that guys I adore- like Ben Stiller and Mr. Robert Downey Jr. are putting the word to good, productive use. Forget the haters and keep us laughing.

gavin thompson Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 17:33
KEEP it in.....they need to let things be...if family guy can get away with shit like that one normal tv ....a rated R movie should be able to do whatever they want....its in the warning as a rated r movie that offensive things will be said....if you dont like it....dont see it

REATRDS ROCK Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 17:34
Why don’t we take a stand on something important? How about we all get together to end the war..or to feed starving children..or to…GET THE WORD “RETARD” EXCISED FROM OUR LEXICON!

Yeah..that will make the world a better place.

Come on.

This is similar to what happened to Lenny Bruce..or Zappa..or Dee Snyder...

Lighten up and put this into some context other than your own narrow, super sensitive world view.

Please, please, everybody go see this movie before it gets shit canned by the press and other hyper sensitive thought police!

jonashpdx Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 18:07
attempting to comment for the second time:

"a word used to describe mentally handicapped people who for the most part don't know or care anyway"... Really, that's your argument? Wow, that's idiotic.

I'm not one of the people talking about banning and/or protesting against Tropic Thunder, even though I have some personal interest in not using the word "retard" because, as you say, I'm reserving judgment until after I see the movie (and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie) -- and from all reports, it is a satirical look at the way Hollywood portrays disabled people and will hopefully shine a light on that situation. Whether it leads to the neighborhood kids on the block calling each other the "full retard" is another question entirely but not one that can necessarily be blamed on the filmmakers.

However, your completely dismissive "oh, those retards won't know about it anyway" is pretty stupid-- and seems to be rejecting your own argument further down in the article and the point Tropic Thunder is ostensibly trying to make. So if black people didn't go to the movies, we could still throw around any number of derogatory names around without context or afterthought? How about Jews, can we still make fun of them? Gays? Who else? And if you think there's no hatred or oppression associated with using the word "retard," well, you're flat out wrong.

While comparing it to using the N word is a false construct -- and again, you cite its use in every other movie, but what's the context of those other movies? -- it's safe to say you wouldn't use it in a casual conversation on the street 'cause you'd get your ass beat. But somehow calling someone a retard is okay because not only will a mentally disabled person "not understand" that you're being an asshole but they're also less likely to punch you in the face.

patrick Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 23:06
The point isn't that you didn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings - the point is that you DID hurt the feelings of defenseless children and their devoted parents. Even worse, you have made it ok for everyone else to do the same. I will think of you every time someone says "don't go full retard" in front of my sweet, loving, defenseless daughter, because she is what you and your fans call a retard. But everyone who knows her, our neighbors in our apartment building, our neighbors on the street, our dry cleaner, the mailman, the bus driver, our police officers and our firefighters, all love her and delight in her, and would do anything to protect her from thoughtless, self-righteous, money-grubbing bastards like DreamWorks and Ben Stiller.

Rachel Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 13:39
We all get the satire. It isn't that funny - really. It is aimed at teenage boys who still love fart jokes. The real problem with this is that the disability community has waited too long to do something. It has been growing as mentioned in earlier posts referencing tv shows. This word is in family movies and they did nothing. Of course the studios weighed this prior to the movie. The problem is that words affect attitude as made evident in one post who said people who have mental retardation don't know or care. You have been made insensitive to the basic human rights of members of your society. They are equal members of your society but their quality of life is constantly threatened. The nerdy person who overcame her abuse can go out and buy a home, get a doctor, apply for a job easily. No one has a pre conceived notion that you are stupid before you even walk in the door. A Dr. does not make assumptions about you prior to even seeing you. People with mental retardation have a harder time with all of these things not because they are incapable but because society has a percieved notion of what they can do and how they feel or don't feel. The reason this is a big deal to disability groups is evident when reading the posts that are so intent on being able to laugh at the expense of someone who can not defend themselves in the same way. The person is right who says we should focus on bigger issues - stop this so we can.

Melissa Says:
August 10th, 2008 at 23:22
I am a parent of a 5 year old son with Down syndrome.

I'm sure that, growing up, I used the word "retard" in a derogatory way.

Now I know better.

I didn't plan on having a child who was mentally retarded, and I'm sure that if you asked me before he was born if I wanted one, I would have said no. But now, I have him. I love him. I cannot imagine life without him. He is a wonderful human being, who has feelings. And people are ridiculing HIM by using this word in a derogatory way. It IS the same as the N word. You are using a word to bash a group of people. And the majority of the population with mental disabilities cannot advocate for themselves, which makes you a BULLY. And my child does not deserve to be bullied. What has he done to you?

I am tired of having this word thrown around. Right away I think of "Napoleon Dynamite", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "2 1/2 Men". There has been many a night that my husband and I have changed the channel because, suddenly, there was THE word. The problem is, I can't stop the kids in school from saying it. And my son will be starting kindergarten next month. And I have three other children who have to hear it, and the word bothers them, also.

I am all for free speech, and I am by no means a prude. However, I am against something that is hurting others. It's one thing to say the word in the movie, but another to have it be what you consider an important tag-line, and will probably be on t-shirts, etc. (oh boy, can't wait for that).

It is my job to protect my son. And I will do whatever it takes. I don't care if you think that I'm whining...think of somebody that you love with all of your heart and soul. Now think of how you would feel if other people were making fun of them. I don't care how tough you say you are, it would hurt you, also.

It's time to grow up. Making fun of others isn't funny. I pray that you never find yourself in a situation that, suddenly, you or a loved one are mentally challenged. How about a horrific car accident that leaves your brother, sister, or even your child with a traumatic brain injury? You want your friends calling them a retard?

Not to mention that most children born with Down syndrome have to fight for their lives due to heart defects and have gone through more in the first year of their lives than most adults have. Do they deserve to be called "retards?"

Stepping off my soapbox and going to hug my son.

Toofunny Says:
August 12th, 2008 at 14:45
First off, thanks for that "retarded" clip.

Second, IN NO WAY is this film malicious towards handicapable people. Here is a GREAT example, Harold and Kumar. They poke fun at themselves being asian and NO ONE says a god damn word. My wife is asian and finds them funny as hell.

In my family, we have a cousin that is a bit slow and needs special schooling. Do I think this movie is AGAINST him in any way??? Hell no. Heck, I might even take him to see it in the theatre.

So what is the difference? Because and actor is portraying a handicapable person it is not ok???

THIS CRAP IS SO HIPOCRITICAL!!!! You don't like it??? THEN DONT WATCH IT!!!

Head Nut Says:
August 13th, 2008 at 15:49
Toofunny.........The difference is Harold and Kumar are Asian and Indian.

It is not okay when that handicapped person is referred to as a retard. You can play a mentally challenged person in a movie and give an accurate portrayal without being demeaning and calling them "retard"

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