"Tropic Thunder" R-Word Use Draws Ire

Ben Stiller's New Film Is "Tasteless" And "Offensive," Advocates For Mentally Disabled Say

(CBS/AP)  Protesters stole the scene at the premiere of Ben Stiller's new comedy, "Tropic Thunder." They're upset about the repeated use of the word "retard" in the film, reports CBS' The Early Show correspondent Ben Tracy.

The new movie goes too far for groups representing the mentally disabled.

Dozens of people from organizations such as the Special Olympics and the American Association of People with Disabilities protested the movie-industry spoof across the street from the film's Los Angeles premiere at Mann's Bruin Theatre on Monday. The protesters held up signs with slogans such as "Call me by my name, not by my label" and chanted phrases like "Ban the movie, ban the word."

"I think it's open to interpretation and that's the great thing," Robert Downey Jr., who stars in the film, told APTN at the Monday night premiere. "You know, if I want to protest something because it offends me that's my right as an American, and it's also any artist's right to say and do whatever they wanna do."

The groups are outraged over scenes featuring the liberal usage of a disparaging term used to describe the mentally disabled. In the movie, director and co-star Ben Stiller plays a fame-hungry actor cast in a war movie who previously had a role as a mentally disabled character named Simple Jack. The DreamWorks film, which opens Wednesday, also stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black.

"When I heard about it, I felt really hurt inside," said Special Olympics global messenger Dustin Plunkett. "I cannot believe a writer could write something like that. It's the not the way that we want to be portrayed. We have feelings. We don't like the word retard. We are people. We're just like any other people out there. We want to be ourselves and not be discriminated against."

Andrew J. Imparato, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, said he and other representatives from advocacy groups representing the mentally disabled met with DreamWorks co-chair Stacey Snider and watched a private screening of the film Monday morning. Imparato called the movie "tasteless" and said it was "offensive start to finish."

"I have a sense of humor," said Imparato. "There were parts of the movie where I laughed, but it seems to me that the movie tried really hard to go too far and then pull back on everything that was offensive except the issue of people with intellectual disabilities. I just think Ben Stiller and the people involved in this movie just didn't think it was going to be offensive."

Following the original complaints from the advocacy groups, DreamWorks pulled some promotional materials, including a Web site that promoted the film-within-a-film starring Stiller's character which contained the tag line "Once there was a retard."

Dreamworks said it doesn't plan to make any changes to the film, Tracy reports. In a statement, it said "Tropic Thunder" is "an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the-top characters in ridiculous situations."

"If you want to pick on people, as the old playground saying goes, pick on people your own size," said Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, who is calling for a boycott of "Tropic Thunder" along with the other groups. "This population struggles too much with the basics to have to struggle against Hollywood. We're sending a message that this hate speech is no longer acceptable."

Great marketing move by the producers. This is publicity that money can''t buy. They should be rewarded handsomely at the movie gate.

[cbsfan73]

Merriam Webster on the word:

1 : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : impede

2 : to delay academic progress by failure to promote

[cbsfan73]

The word can be applied with equal to people who can''t try and those who won''t try.

The correct way to insult or joke with someone would to call them a retarder (noun).

[cbsfan73]

fsw3 reported:
"In my community the woman who won the chamber of commerce Woman of the Year award was so honored because of her work with the Association for Retarded Citizens. When this was reported, the local media, newspapers and broadcast were castigated for being insenstive. How about that!"

Well, I think it is far better to be castigated than to be castrated.

[gop_forever]

Down with the short bus crowd!

[azcagirl]

If you don''t like it when people use words like that, don''t go watch the movie. Stay home. Don''t ruin it for people who can take a joke. That is what this is...a joke. It''s a movie, not real life. If you are going to be offended stay home. I don''t need anyone to tell me what I can and can''t watch because they don''t like it.

[cbsfan73]

The medical field should have never used the word in the first place. They should have simply used "mentally challenged".

Next thing you know, the patients in the mental hospitals will be protesting the use of the words "crazy", loony, "nut", "fruitcake", etc...

And what about all the comedial references to schizophrenics or people with multiple personalities in the entertainment industry?

Where does it end?

[mgpm-2009]

I''ve worked with developmentally disabled people. Those people I worked with had Mental Retardation. To use the word "***" as a name which means someone is stupid is just offensive and wrong. It''s hurtful to those who have MR and those who love and care about them.

Have some sensitivity and compassion.

[wl7bzh]

Robert Downey Jr., who stars in the film, told APTN at the Monday night premiere. "You know, if I want to protest something because it offends me that''s my right as an American, and it''s also any artist''s right to say and do whatever they wanna do."
-----------------------------------

Has Downey Jr. ever heard of the artist formerly know as Imus?

[cbsfan73]

azcagirl stated:
"If you don''''t like it when people use words like that, don''''t go watch the movie. Stay home. Don''''t ruin it for people who can take a joke. That is what this is...a joke. It''''s a movie, not real life. If you are going to be offended stay home. I don''''t need anyone to tell me what I can and can''''t watch because they don''''t like it."

I agree. Had they shown a mentally challenged character being made fun of in the film, that would be cruel and tasteless. But when you use the term on a normal person, it can sometimes be seen as comedy.

[talkingham]

Well perhaps if the term mental retardation had not been used for a century and a half by USA medical professionals and educators we would not have this problem. They stopped using the term in the medical field in the rest of the world more than an a decade ago. So stop calling yourself mentally retarded and use the term intellectual disability. It''s harder to make fun of.

To blame the entertainment industry for using a word that has been in use in this country for decades is well, retarded.

[zoopster1]

Oh for the love of God, the movie hasn''t even COME OUT YET. None of the people protesting has even actually SEEN IT. Are we running out of things to get mad about in this country or something??

[sparty088]

If someone wants to use an offensive word in this country they can. Simply because something is tasteless and offensive is not grounds to suspend the first amendment, nor should it be.

[yourpointis]

If this were comedians wearing black face or portraying a black, Southern "mammy", there would be a cry to the heavens from "them" that would be heard around the world.

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 08:48 AM : Aug 13, 2008

Uh, Robert Downey Jr. plays a character that transforms himself into an African American male for the role in the movie....K?

I don''t like that word either, one of my Husband''s children is mildly disabled. It''s like fingernails on a chalkboard. BUT, it IS just a word....JUST A WORD. You hear it, let it slide and go on about your day. There are other things more important in this world to worry about other than a bad word used in a movie...Just my opinion. I''ll still see the movie.

[aldon61]

The use of the word is offensive to me and I do not plan on seeing the movie. That said, it''s their right to produce the movie in any manner they see fit. If it offends someone (like me), DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT patronize the film. If enough people refrain from seeing the movie, others will be much more cautious in producing like-minded entertainment. This is a free market, use it!

[ichabod57]

Gee, the way it''s going, Mel Brooks won''t even be able to shoot the remake of Blazing Saddles next year.

Folks, it''s just a word in a movie script. If it was aimed at any particular person, in real life, then I would be offended, too. But it''s just words on a piece of paper that were read by an actor. Grow up and get over it.

[leftyintexas]

Has Downey Jr. ever heard of the artist formerly know as Imus?

Posted by wl7bzh at 09:34 AM : Aug 13, 2008

Hold on there! Imus an artist? Hardly, unless he took up painting as a hobby. A protester? Nope. He was making ''fun'' of someone, NOT protesting.

[jumkey]

The "R" word?

Look, if Republicans don''t like being called retarded they should stop acting retarded, or maybe offer a candidate who isn''t retarded (not that they have any I guess).

It''s what the "R" stands for after all. Republicans need to embrace their stupid.

[sparty088]

"Mind if I make a movie called, "N.i.g.g.e.r"? Is that OK? Will anyone object?"

Yes, but that still doesn''t mean that it should be banned. Even a movie with as offensive and tasteless a title as that. Personally, I''d be offended and wouldn''t see a movie with the above mentioned title, but I still agree that someone should have a right to make it.

[cbsfan73]

"If someone wants to use an offensive word in this country they can. Simply because something is tasteless and offensive is not grounds to suspend the first amendment, nor should it be."

True. But any thing you say at work can and will be held against you.

[wl7bzh]

Hold on there! Imus an artist? Hardly, unless he took up painting as a hobby. A protester? Nope. He was making ''''fun'''' of someone, NOT protesting.

Posted by leftyintexas at 10:10 AM : Aug 13, 2008
----------------------------------------------

It''s called sarcasm for the tendency of some "actors" to consider everything they do as approaching art. Kinda like the artist formerly known as Prince-or was he before your time?

[leftyintexas]

Hi aldon61. Well finally we disagree on something. I plan to see the movie Tropic Thunder. Why? I like Ben Stiller and think he is one of the few actors out there who can make me laugh. Another reason, Robert Downy Jr. I think he will be hilarious in his portrayal of a black Russell Crowe. As for the using the word ''re-****'', it has no effect on me what so ever. I never use the word unless I''m referring to republicons. I think we are getting too over sensitive to what some people perceive as a ''put down''. Nevertheless, if you don''t like it , don''t see it. I strongly believe the movie should NOT be banned because they use the ''R'' word.

[mollydtt]

I have not seen the movie, and I really hope that all those that are screaming objections have seen the language in context. But--------from the reviews I''ve seen, the language is a way to make the motion picture bigwigs look like fools. Maybe the writers could have taken a step back and found a politically correct way to do that, but honestly, I see so much derogatory material in movies that I quit taking them seriously a long time ago.

[leftyintexas]

It''''s called sarcasm for the tendency of some "actors" to consider everything they do as approaching art. Kinda like the artist formerly known as Prince-or was he before your time?

Posted by wl7bzh at 10:25 AM : Aug 13, 2008

Prince is a performer and entertainer. Some like his music, some don''t. But that is what he is. Imus? He does nothing except show his sour puss every day, complains, criticizes, and puts down people for a living. Is that entertainment? Maybe for some. Not me.

[leftyintexas]

He Lefty - it''''s not the Republicans who are acting retarded here. It''''s the usual left-wingnuts and their PC Gestapo.
It''''s the liberals who are always being "offended" and getting their feelings hurt. In response, they increasing stifle free-speech (which they CLAIM to promote) and limit freedoms.

Posted by ritewingman at 10:35 AM : Aug 13, 2008

I''m on your side on this one. It''s getting way outta hand now, and we need to all lighten up.

[questionnews]

Out of everything that you write, the most poignant part comes when you say, "I''''ll still see the movie". THAT says a lot about you and the type of people who would. N.i.g.g.e.r is "just a WORD" too. Mind if I make a movie called, "N.i.g.g.e.r"? Is that OK? Will anyone object?

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 10:09 AM : Aug 13, 2008

Obviously, you live in the "white" part of town. That term is used in almost every sentence by the gangstas & players in the part of town I work. It''s used as a greeting, a term of reference, a phrase of scorn, an expression of surprise, a warning, a way of getting someones attention and host of other definitions.
How can a word that is so embraced & utilized by the very group of people it was meant to demean be so offensive to people not in that group?

Some folks live by the mantra of "If you aren''t going to be offended by this your ignorant & I''ll be offended for you."

[cbk16]

Usually the most closed minded/selfish people you will see in your life are Holywood Democrats. They will not allow other view points to be spoken, they banish people that do not think like them, they usually don''t care about others.

[cbsblogger]

I don''t care what anyone says as long as they don''t attempt to use physical force, or cause damage or cause a riot. As does the old saying about sticks and stones...............

PCness has gone waaay overboard.

[leftyintexas]

Usually the most closed minded/selfish people you will see in your life are Holywood Democrats. They will not allow other view points to be spoken, they banish people that do not think like them, they usually don''''t care about others.

Posted by cbk16 at 10:49 AM : Aug 13, 2008

Funny... I think the same about the republicon party, taken over by a group of rightwing nuts.

[haoli25]

I would probably not go to see this movie, but if it makes the R E T A R D S go spastic, I gotta see it!

lol

[cbsfan73]

My question:

Do those people in the photographs have any comprehension as to what they are protesting? Or are they just a prop?

I guess what I am asking is; do the intellectually disabled know they are such?

[r9119111]

Usually the most closed minded/selfish people you will see in your life are Holywood Democrats. They will not allow other view points to be spoken, they banish people that do not think like them, they usually don''''t care about others.
Posted by cbk16 at 10:49 AM : Aug 13, 2008

***. This is exactly what I think of Republicans. Time for a change.

[toolmangler-2009]

Quee/rs, N/ig/gers, Re/tards, Jesus freaks, Christians, Muslims, Ragheads, Demoniacs, Repugs, Se/x offenders, pedo/files. all are labels. Some have hurtful connotations, all are descriptive. the problem here is the implied intent behind the word. with many alternitives available, any use of derogatory descriptive terms carries an implied insult. If the intent behind the word is ''only'' to hurt, it should never be used. If ''shock'' is the only value attached then it is a ''hate'' word. Only people with character flaws of their own use ''hate'' words or speech. They should clean up their own act first then they will not want to hurt someone else for no reason.

[toolmangler-2009]

I guess what I am asking is; do the intellectually disabled know they are such?
Posted by cbsfan73 at 10:58 AM : Aug 13, 2008




Absolutely: the only way they cannot know is if they are totally mindless. I know many people that are handicapped in one way or another. Take one look at ''Stephen Hawkings'' and describe what you see. Then read what he has written and tell me if you are any where near his mental capability.

[candy-apple]

Blazing Saddles!! Need I say more?
We are so busy being politically correct these days that we are totally losing our sense of humor.

[papabc]

PCness has gone waaay overboard.------

Agree.. PC is so far overboard that we forget to have fun or make fun of ourselves.

A PC serious society can be a very boring one.

[jtdev1]

They mean "R"-Word as in "R"epublican?

We all know they are "R"etards


:)

[jon2012-2009]

Usually the most closed minded/selfish people you will see in your life are Holywood Democrats. They will not allow other view points to be spoken, they banish people that do not think like them, they usually don''''''''t care about others.
Posted by cbk16 at 10:49 AM : Aug 13, 2008

I haven''t seen any credible evidence of this mindset. But I have seen much from rightwingers in the available data documenting the violence they are willing to commit and in pushing for changes in the state constitution to force into law their viewpoints.

[papabc]

I am not a smart as the PHDs that sit around me. To me they are way ahead of me and seem to have total recall of what they do and see.

On the other hand I do better than most and am equal to many other.

you ask:
Do the intellectually disabled know they are such?

Answer:
You can only fool yourself so long BUT you either like and accept who you are or live a life never measuring up to who you think you should be.

The amount of brain power is something you are born with. How you use it is up to you.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by ritewingman at 11:17 AM : Aug 13, 2008



The point here is, if you look at Stephen Hawking, you cannot tell that his disability is due to ALS. I had two good friends die from it and know the disease very well. You missed everything I said. go back and re-read with aa different mindset and see if you still want to belittle me. (I am also handicapped)

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by ritewingman at 11:17 AM : Aug 13, 2008



The point here is, if you look at Stephen Hawking, you cannot tell that his disability is due to ALS. I had two good friends die from it and know the disease very well. You missed everything I said. go back and re-read with a different mindset and see if you still want to belittle me. (I am also handicapped)

[toolmangler-2009]

sorry for the double post

[toolmangler-2009]

How can a movie insult someone who doesnt have enough nonretarded brain cells to understand that they are being insulted?

Humor has always been about making fun of people! Fatties, sissies, fairies, weetards, darquees, people with glasses, politicians, priests, idiots, morons, pirates, having fun is all about making fun.

Lighten up, people!!!

Posted by DaVicar2 at 11:21 AM : Aug 13, 2008



So go poke fun at a funeral, ridicule those that are not considered good looking, Rip the heart out of a Vietnam Vet by calling him ''Babykiller''. Surely watching someone weap from insults must give you great pleasure. But don''t expect everyone to share your view.

[foxmulder33]

I had high hopes for this film because of the comedians involved. I pray the jokes are not cheap shots at people with disabilities. It seems a lot comedies take the low road these days.

[toolmangler-2009]

Yes, I am blind in one eye, can''t see out of the other.

[keev8]

When exactly did we get a right to not be offended?

[rytom64]

Freedom of speach and freedom to insult. Same thing. If you don''t like the humour, don''t see the movie. I can use whatever word I''d like and everyone should be able to. You can call me anything you want, they''re just words. I''m not easily offended.

[leftyintexas]

Posted by ritewingman at 11:14 AM : Aug 13, 2008

You know something, you may be right about bush in a way. I believe he is apolitical. I firmly believe he totally inept as a politican, not to mention, just plain DUMB. I also need to throw some rocks at Pelosi and Reid for not pushing for impeachment of bush for his total incompotence. I also believe his handler Karl Rove is the rightwing nut whose been pulling his strings the entire time he has been President. OBAMA? He is NOT A LIBERAL. He is middle of the road if anything. He''s the most intelligent politician I''ve seen in quite some time. I like everything I''ve seen and read about him. He''s a winner. He-ck, even some of the republican congressmen have endorsed him over McCain. That should tell you something about what others think of him. Yes, I believe OBAMA will make a fine President.

[gop_forever]

"Mind if I make a movie called, "N.i.g.g.e.r"? Is that OK? Will anyone object?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Posted by sparty088
=================
No in fact I would go see it several dozen times.

[toolmangler-2009]

I am not trying to insult you, merely expressing how your words appear to me, I am a kidder and picker since childhood, I cannot stop looking for the fun in life. I probably know or have heard every form of vulgarity in the English language (and a lot of foriegn ones also) It is my decision to refrain from using them without just cause. You have to live life the way you see it, I don''t have to agree with it nor do you have to agree with mine.