Disability advocates to storm 'Tropic Thunder' premiere in protest
Tonight's star-studded premiere of Ben Stiller's buzzed-about comedy, "Tropic Thunder," may turn into a real rumble.
According to Reuters, advocacy groups for the disabled have called a national boycott of Stiller's film, citing a negative portrayal of people with "intellectual disabilities," as the wire service politely puts it.
"We are asking people not to go to the movie, and hope to bring a consciousness to people about using derogatory words about this population," said Peter Wheeler, spokesman for Special Olympics, one of 22 groups nationwide that are protesting the satire.
And they plan to picket the Westwood premiere that will feature Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and maybe even Tom Cruise, who has a much-lauded role in the film as a fat, balding, dorky film backer rumored to be a dig at Sumner Redstone. That's right, I said fat, balding and dorky. AND he dances.
The groups take offense at the repeated use of "retard" to refer to a character, Simple Jack -- a role played by Stiller's "Thunder" character in a film within the film -- in one of the "Tropic" subplots.
Reps for the Special Olympics, the Arc of the United States, the National Down Syndrome Congress, the American Assn. of People with Disabilities and other groups met with DreamWorks execs last week, but no changes were made to the film, according to Reuters.
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Even though Peter Travers gave this film 3.5 stars in Rolling Stone ("Funny As Hell"), I had my doubts.
Now that's all cleared up: Calling someone a "retard" IS funny as hell! (Why didn't Diablo Cody think of that?)
I'm laughing so much milk just shot out of my nose! Now, THAT'S retarded!
Ben, and Tom, stay by your phones. I've got a funny feeling it's going to be Oscar calling!
They should make simple jack into a movie btw Ben Stiller fumars marijuanas thats how he comes up with this stuff, riding on the ganja train.
So what you are saying is that retards are boycotting this film? Good maybe I can go see it in the theaters without people talking through it
C'mon, screw censorship, give me a break already...have they not heard of the first amendment?
What are they retards?? LOL
C'mon, screw censorship, give me a break already...have they not heard of the first amendment?
What are they retards?? LOL
I think we all know that retarded people are too...well, uhm...retarded to be offended by this movie, so where's the harm?
From the womens' movement starting in the early 1900's, to the civil rights movement in the 50's and 60's, disability rights advocates have been speaking out. The problem is they just can't seem to mobilize into action. I know it sounds like I made a cruel pun, but this is the real problem. Medical issues keep some of our best advocates immobilized. Unfortunately, the ones that are mobile tend not to be the best advocates (though some are great huggers). Whereas I can recognize that what Tropic Thunder is doing is funny, it is as wrong as making fun of women for being women and minorities for being minorities.
I am happy to hear that individuals with disabilities are getting out there to support their own cause.
After reading some of these comments, it is clear to me why we will never be a truly civilized society. You people make me sick.
I look at it this way. A white man is in black face amd it's the disabled with the protesting LOL
ONLY IN AMERICA!
:)
Come on, relax. That's how movies become boring. Everyone's expected to stay in the middle of the road. Then every comedy will become a boring romantic comedy.
Until of course, gay rights groups protest the excessive portrayal of straight relationships.
And what was the hoo haa about rob downey acting as a black man?
Remember whitechicks? that was funny...