Protesting “Tropic Thunder”
Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 09:13amI’ve been looking forward to the release of Tropic Thunder. So it was with a bit of sadness that I read the Special Olympics are calling for a boycott of the film due to its repeated use of the word “retard.”
The linked article has a very good explanation of what’s going on and why people are concerned about it. I recommend giving it a read. It’s no secret how I feel about the word when it’s used as a pejorative, but I also think I have a sense of humor and most of the time can figure out when the person using the word intends harm.
I haven’t seen the movie yet, so I can’t really say how I feel about it. This quote in the article does stand out for me, though:
“I think it’s something that’s getting more and more prevalent,” said Soeren Palumbo, 19, of Palatine, who works for Special Olympics and whose sister has an intellectual disability. “I think we’re getting to the point where the word retard or retarded is used to describe anything undesirable or anything stupid.”
So. Do you think Tropic Thunder is being used as an example — just an instance of “we are sick of this crap, and we’re protesting your high-profile movie to make our point”?
Another thought…is the word “retard” entering the lexicon now, like “that’s so gay” or “spaz”? Does that make it okay? It doesn’t for me, but I might be too close to it to be objective.
Michael on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 9:41 am
NOT OKAY. I hate the argument that goes, “When kids today say ‘that’s so gay,’ they’re not referencing homosexuality at all. They are just using it to describe something negative in general.” OK, what now?! That’s worse, not better!
People will say what they’ll say, but they should AT LEAST be aware of how it makes others feel, so in that respect, I have no problem with the Special Olympics people using this movie, if the word is used repeatedly in the same manner as the example above.
I’ve been guilty of the same thing with a few words, and have been rightfully called out on it. That’s the only way it gets better.
Sara on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 9:48 am
I saw a sneak preview a few weeks ago and honestly I barely recall the word being used. Since this is something I would normally cringe at I can only guess I didn’t because of the way it was used. It’s a comedy, there is nothing serious about the movie and that’s the mind set I had going in.
Still, I think they are making a valid point.
Also, the movie is hilarious! I spent the first half trying to decide if in fact that was Tom Cruise. He was freakin’ awesome and I kind of like him, again.
freakgirl on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 9:52 am
Without having seen the movie, but knowing what kind of blowhard characters Ben Stiller writes, I imagine the use of the word “retard” is probably quite realistic for the character using it — especially since this movie is supposed to be a satire of dumb Hollywood actors, right?
Having said that, I agree with both of you that the Special Olympics are making a valid point. And we’re discussing it here, and it’s in the papers, so the conversation is happening. Which makes me happy.
Sara, I’ve heard that this movie is going to make people like Tom Cruise again. I don’t know about that, but he is at his best when he’s doing something unexpected (like his role in Magnolia).
krup on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 10:14 am
so does this mean i can’t say tom cruise is gay or retarded ever again?
Michael on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 10:15 am
Only if you think those are bad things! ;-)
Jen in OH! on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 10:26 am
I’m big on context with humor and language, and for me, the big hinge in bringing the funny to what could otherwise be mean/unfunny bits is all about what’s functioning as the target of the humor. Are we being asked to laugh at some cultural images evoked by the mere use of the word “retard” or are we being asked to laugh at people who think casual use of the word “retard” is appropriate? From my pov, there’s a pretty big difference there. Hammering on the victims of bigotry is never funny, but turning tables on bigots often is.
Of course, even when humor of this sort is exceptionally well done it can be wildly misconstrued by certain less-than-savvy audiences, such as how a lot of white “fans” completely do not get what guys like Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle are actually doing, so there’s always a risk. I assume the objection here is that either the jokes are using the wrong targets or they’re too blurry and too prone to being misapprehended by their target audience, so there’s a concern with further normalizing slurs against an already marginalized population, which is only funny if you’re a total asshole.
I usually think the best comedy is the riskiest stuff, but an awful lot people seem to confuse risky high-minded satire with rote low-minded bigotry, so I think it’s always a really dicey thing to do, too. Many people mistakenly believe they have the mad comedy skillz to pull it off but I think only a few are really that good.
freakgirl on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 10:32 am
I agree, Jen. A lot of people dislike Howard Stern because — for example — they feel he’s dangerous to people who don’t realize that he is actually ridiculing the KKK guy, not celebrating him. Conversely, I’m loathe to make the argument that the majority of people are too stupid to get the nuances of Stern’s humor.
I think Stiller is probably asking us to laugh at people who think casual use of the word “retard” is appropriate. One of the biggest laughs I had in “Something About Mary” was Matt Dillon’s line, “I work with retards… I love those goofy bastards.” It just showed what a colossal douchebag the character was.
On the opposite end, Adam from Big Brother 9 referring to his own clients as “retards” was completely out of line and heartless. Of course, he has a million dollars now, so whatever.
GeekBoy on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 11:02 am
Maybe this is just a case of the Special Olympics being jealous of all the attention the Summer Olympics are getting right now, and trying to get noticed?
You know how siblings can be sometimes.
freakgirl on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 11:03 am
That made me snort.
Bianca on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I saw a screening of Tropic Thunder last month. I don’t recall how many times the word is used. Or if it was excessive. The context is that Ben Stiller’s character was in a movie called Simple Jack in which he played a slow person on a farm. To be honest I think all the representation, reenactments and visuals of Simple Jack will infuriate activists more than just the word “retard”. It’s not something that just comes and goes in the film.
I haven’t been keeping up but I expected a lot of blackface backlash leading up to the film and I haven’t seen any. Maybe I missed it.
On Tom Cruise. I will admit he does a great job. However, I actually didn’t even know it was him until the very last 5 minutes of the movie when I said “hey that smile looks familiar is that tom cruise???” If I knew he was in the movie before going into it I may have had my bias wall up already haha.
freakgirl on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Yeah, I kinda wish we didn’t know about the Tom Cruise thing — it’s more fun when you get to discover those things yourself. But it’s been in every magazine and review.
Dave on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Since RDJ is playing a white man playing a black man, does the NAACP have a problem with that? Or are they pointing out how over the top actors can get when they have an Oscar-bait role?
Maybe I’m just tired of everyone looking for a reason to get so frackin’ offended.
freakgirl on Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Or are they pointing out how over the top actors can get when they have an Oscar-bait role?
That’s my guess. Also - I don’t know if it’s what you meant, but I don’t think the people at the Special Olympics or anyone who’s an advocate are looking for a reason to get offended.
There ARE people like that, though. Like Focus on the Family and those groups that will sit and watch hours and hours of television, just hoping to catch a stray nipple or a gay kiss.
freakgirl on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Our friend Walter sent us this video, made for the Arc of Northern Virginia.
ali on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 9:54 am
ummm…i saw it. and if they’re offended by the use of the word, they didn’t watch the movie. the entire simple jack movie scene + the reenactments later - that’s *way* worse than the use of the word…and i’m confused.
(as for tom cruise, i didn’t know he was in it. and i hate to admit - he did great.)
Laura on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I wasn’t offended at all. I have an autistic child, but I’m not extra sensitive to stuff like that or anything. I thought the movie was hysterical, and I thought the word was used in context perfectly.
ali on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 2:27 pm
laura - i think that’s how i explained it to my mom. it was in context. (and yes, the entire movie was funny.)
note: my best friend has an autistic who i adore and none of her family (me included) is sensitive either.