A few dozen demonstrators showed up outside the Tropic Thunder premiere last night at Mann’s Theatre in Los Angeles to protest the movie and its repeated use of the word "retard." The protest took place across the street from the theater, where people representing organizations such as the Special Olympics and the American Association of People with
Disabilities were carrying signs that said things like "Tropic Thunder, Colossal Blunder,"
"We have abilities, not disabilities!", and "’R’ word is hate speech."
A coalition of some 22 advocacy groups has launched a
boycott of the film, which opens for wide release tomorrow, and Andrew J. Imparato, president of the American Association of People with
Disabilities, reportedly called the film "tasteless" and said it was "offensive start
to finish" after watching a private screening of the movie on Monday.
Director and star Ben Stiller — who plays an actor portraying a mentally disabled character named Simple Jack in the film’s movie-within-a-movie — acknowledged the protesters’ right to speak their mind, but also defended his film. "I did not set out to offend anybody, but sometimes, when you are making an R-rated
comedy, that happens," Stiller said at the premiere. "That is not what I set out to do, but I think the movie is
good and it speaks for itself."
Co-star Jack Black said he doesn’t think any of the protesters have seen the movie yet and that he feels that once they do, they will understand that the
joke is really on Hollywood, not people with disabilities. "The jokes
are all in context of what some actors are willing to do to win an
Oscar," Black explained at the premiere. "That is a longstanding joke
in Hollywood — that certain types of roles, like the one joked about in
the film, help put you in the minds and eyes of the Academy voters and
to what lengths some actors will go to bring one of those gold bad boys
home."
Co-writer/executive producer Justin Theroux added that he was surprised by the ire — then humorously (we hope) pointed the finger at other, ostensibly more earnest projects that deal with mental disabilities. "[T]here’s a part of me that’s a little puzzled and disappointed, like, ‘Where were
you when Radio came out? Because that was pretty offensive," Theroux said. "Or where were they when they made that Rosie O’Donnell Riding the Bus With My Sister film? Because that
was way worse in my eyes than our film." (Reporting by Carrie Bell)
Co-star Jack Black said he doesn’t think any of the protesters have seen the movie yet and that he feels that once they do, they will understand that thejoke is really on Hollywood, not people with disabilities. "The jokesare all in context of what some actors are willing to do to win anOscar," Black explained at the premiere. "That is a longstanding jokein Hollywood — that certain types of roles, like the one joked about inthe film, help put you in the minds and eyes of the Academy voters andto what lengths some actors will go to bring one of those gold bad boyshome."
Co-writer/executive producer Justin Theroux added that he was surprised by the ire — then humorously (we hope) pointed the finger at other, ostensibly more earnest projects that deal with mental disabilities. "[T]here’s a part of me that’s a little puzzled and disappointed, like, ‘Where wereyou when Radio came out? Because that was pretty offensive," Theroux said. "Or where were they when they made that Rosie O’Donnell Riding the Bus With My Sister film? Because thatwas way worse in my eyes than our film." (Reporting by Carrie Bell)
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You don’t call retarded people “retards”. That would be in bad taste. You call your friends “retards” when they’re acting retarded.
Anyone who gets offended by this film’s use of “retard” is completely missing the joke; thus, rendering their act of taking offense absolutely ridiculous and a joke in itself.
I’ll be laughing!
I’m fed up to death with hearing the word “retard”. I think anybody who uses it is either 10 or should have their own IQs tested. It’s every bit as repulsive a word as those used to insult racial, religious and sexual minorities and women.
The use of the term shows an apalling disregard for the sensitivities of people with developmental disabilities. It’s just another big payday for Ben Stiller and Jack Black. They are just profiteering. Why not use an actual disabled person instead of having Stiller play one? Bad move and movie, Ben!
As I have always said if it offends you do not watch or read it. However do not keep others from enjoying it as they may not be offended.
All this is going to do increase the interest level for this film which will translate into more dollars at the box office!
My son has a cognitive disability. He fights every day to be involved in this world. It is not helpful when bullies yell across the playground “Retard.” It torments him. Why is hollywood becoming the next big bully? It isn’t funny – and I am very sad that some people do not understand that. Perhaps those who say retard – are bullies grown up.
Sal, by your logic, using the “n” word would be okay too! Neither word is okay!
Franko, Stiller does not play a mentally challenged character in the film. The story is a little misleading. He plays an actor who played a mentally challenged person in a movie, in an attempt to win an Oscar. If you don’t want to see the movie because of the word, then don’t. But don’t judge something you haven’t seen yet.
Keep making a big deal out of this, it is really good for the film.
Nothing like a good old protest to get people to pack the theatre. Can’t wait to see this film!
Thanks for the tip, PC Nazis. I’ll be seeing it tomorrow on your recommendation.
To everyone that commented that it’s a bad movie or the one guy/gal who said that they should get someone with a mental disability to play the role, you are retards. I hope that’s insulting, it should be, and I hope that no mentally disabled person would want to be grouped in with you retards.
You don’t call ‘anyone’ retard. It
be like calling a white man ‘honky.’
I’m disable myself due to an injury
using a w/c and walker. My voice is
impaired and I don’t like being called
a handicap. Prefer ‘disable’.
Retard?….that like calling a Black man the ‘N’ word. Disrespectful.
Gerhart, using the “N-word” *is* ok.
It is a movie. Lighten up.
By complaining about the movie, they are only helping it’s popularity. Go to the middle east if you can handle people saying what they want.
@Thomas Welch: Retard means slow. Calling someone a Honkey is completely different.
When will the P.C. B.S. end. Shut up, put away your personal paradigm and enjoy the stupid comedy.
Justin Theroux made an excellent point and it seems to be the point of the movie itself — to satirize exactly what the protesters are angry about: Hollywood being disrespectful to the developmentally disabled. Shouldn’t this be a good thing?
i haven’t seen the movie, but, imo when you call a male “b*tch” its not misogynist, you are re-purposing the word. similar to when i call my girlfriend ‘retard’….except my girlfriend is actually a “b*tch”, which makes me the r-tard.
ben stiller likes boys.
this one caught me offguard–when I saw the headline, I thought it was going to be a protest about Robert Downey Jr’s character in the film (a dumb white actor trying to play a black character). I’d heard nothing about mentally challenged characters in the film, so it’s interesting that the protest was about this rather than about race.
I think they should’ve used RTard, like they do on South Park…. Do these people protest every South Park episode? Do they ride school buses, and go out on school playgrounds? That’s another place that word is used and it’s frequent. It’s too bad that this is the way the world is but it’s true. You can’t sanitize and control every aspect of life.
I don’t think people in the disabled community should “lighten up”, Michael. You insult people who fight every day of their lives to get the respect that is their human right.
THE WORD RETARD IS A NASTY REMARK AS THE WORD N****R IS TO A PERSON OF COLOR AND A FORM OF RACISM ! I HAVE SEEN THIS WORD GET THROW AROUND A LOT IN MOVIES AND ALSO ON TV IN THE PAST 10 YEARS JUST TO GET A CHEAP LAUGH FROM SOME STUPID SCUMBAGS THAT FIND THAT FUNNY. BEN STILLER,JOHNNY KNOXVILLE,CONAN O’BRIAN ETC. SHOULD FEEL THE PAIN I HAVE FOR A SISTER AND A BROTHER WHO HAS AUTISM GROWING UP BY TEASED MOST OF THEIR LIFES FOR NOT DOING OR ACTIING THE WAY SO CALLED NORMAL PEOPLE DO. IF STILLER HAVE LIVED THAT OR HAVE A CHILD THAT HAS AUTISM MAYBE HE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION ABOUT USING THAT HATEFUL WORD.
a word is a word and it’s only offensive when used in a certain context “retard” is used to describe someone with a low i.q. so maybe we should protest calling people stupid? you don’t need a disability to be a retard i.e. George doubleya Bush
waaahhh WAAAAHHH!!! f’ing crybabies…I swear. Now we can’t even have R rated comedies because they’re going to offend you fragile little miserable people. Don’t tell me as an adult going to a R rated movie not to be seen by children, what I can and can’t watch or find funny. If you’re so oppressed get the f out of my country and go live in some communist sh*thole where they don’t make films that will hurt your little feelings.
When I was growing up, we didn’t say “developmentally disabled” yet or any of the other euphemisms, so I grew up with a “retarded” brother. My brother called ME a “retard” all the time, meaning he was irritated and I was acting like an idiot. I never really called him that because it was a little pointless. And now with all our PC words, he still uses that word the exact same way and thinks it’s funny because it means something different to him. And again THE MOVIE IS MAKING FUN OF PEOPLE FOR USING THAT WORD.
Are there any actual retarded people who are offended?? Let them speak for themselves.
I would rather be called a retard than “mentally handicapped”, “impared”, etc. Anybody can be a retard at one time or another. “mentally impared” might as well be “beyond hope”. Tell somebody your friend is “mentally impared” and watch them shy away and leave him alone or get overly sensitive and cautious around him. Tell them he’s just being a retard and they shrug it off. Such is society.
fiveK. Wow, what an idiotic post. I wouldn’t be throwing stones at the mentally disabled if I were you!
I think that the important thing to remember is that those who were protesting and those who find offense in the use of the word are bringing something worth discussing into the light. Too many of us talk without thinking. That is worth reiterating:
To many of us talk without thinking.
Including those who become so angry in response to something, that they start tossing slanderous remarks of their own.