Tropic Thunder and the R-Word
Tropic Thunder Movie Poster with Ben Stiller
A coalition of disabilities groups is expected as early as Monday to call for a national boycott of the film “Tropic Thunder” because of what the groups consider the movie’s open ridicule of the intellectually disabled. The film, a movie-industry spoof directed by Ben Stiller, is set for release on Wednesday by Paramount Pictures and its DreamWorks unit.
“Not only might it happen, it will happen,” Timothy P. Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, said of the expected push for a boycott. Speaking by phone, Mr. Shriver said he planned to be in Los Angeles with representatives of his group and others to picket the movie’s premiere on Monday evening in this city’s Westwood district.
A particular sore point has been the film’s repeated use of the term “retard” in referring to a character, Simple Jack, who is played by Mr. Stiller in a subplot about an actor who chases an Oscar by portraying a mindless dolt. To read more of this story.
- To read a column opposing the film by Timothy Shriver, chairman of the national Special Olympics
- To read a column defending the film by Neil Miller, an online film critic.
- For a good description of the film and discussion with disability advocates
about the controversy.
To Learn about the Stop the R-Word Campaign
Banner for the Stop the R-Word Website
15 Aug 2008 10:35 am MTH 0 comments