Tropic Thunder Controversy: Stiller Responds
Filed under: Film Flickers > Ben Stiller
As previously mentioned, a number of disability groups are calling for the boycott of Tropic Thunder because of its portrayal of the mentally challenged.
Director/Writer/Star Ben Stiller just spoke to MTV about the outcry.
He says:
"It's sort of edgy territory, but we felt that as long as the focus was on the actors who were trying to do something to be taken seriously that's going too far or wrong, that was where the humor would come from," Stiller insisted. "[The joke is on] actors reaching for roles in terms of hopefully winning awards."
"Some people have taken this as making fun of handicapped people, but we're really trying to make fun of the actors who use this material as fodder for acclaim," co-writer Etan Cohen echoed to MTV. "The last thing you want is for people to think you're making fun of the victims in this who are having their lives turned into fodder for people to win Oscar
Advocacy groups have called for the studio, Dreamworks to make changes related to the portrayal of the mentally challenged in the film.
Will you see the flick or do you plan on boycotting?
OH FUCK GET OVER YOURSELVES RETARDS, IF THATS WHAT YOU WANT TO CONSIDER YOURSELVES!
Re: Seriously – FUCKTARD!
the controversy about this is RETARDED! seriously, chill out…
this movie is comedy GOLD.
i'm still seeing it.
screw the boycott
its just a bunch of nonsense.
Re: poopstain – okay, if i was the type of person who did nothing to help people with disabilities, had no idea what i was talking about, and had no connection to these people what-so-ever i would put my tail between my legs and run away crying. but i have a little sister with down syndrome, a mother who is a huge supporter of families who have children with down syndrome, volunteer at events like the buddy walk and watch my sister and her friends take part in things like the special olympics and ndss confrences around the world, i'd say that i have the right to give a shit that all of you are being completely ignorant.
Re: dlj1021 – OH FUCK OFF! I WAS TEASED SO WAS EVERYBODYELSEBUT IT CANNOT BE EQUATED WITH BEING CALLED A RACIAL MOTIVED WORD. WOMEN HAVE HAD TO FIGHT STEREOTYPES AND THEY ARE STILL IN MOVIES BUT COME ON IT'S REALLY NOT HINDERING OUR PROGRESS, IT'S COMEDY! FUCKTARD! AND I AM NOT RFERING TO MENTALLY CHALLENGED PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE A LOT SMARTTER THAN "REGULAR" PEOPLE!!!
Re: Novel1 – VERY TRUE!
Re: iceicekt123 – MOST PEOPLE AREN'T THAT STUPID!
Re: catiesmom – You gotta calm down. It's a fuckin' movie and a comedy at that. Folks take shit too seriously
Re: khaaarm – You have not seen the movie! How can you get Sooo worked up over what you may have heard?? Thats what's wrong these days, see for yourself and then judge for YOURSELF!! All of you.
I agree with 'Moluver'. I think people need to get a sense of humor. It's not intended to bash disabled people. It's intended to be a satire! This is just as ridiculous as the overreaction over the Barack Obama political cartoon!!
Re: khaaarm – I UNDERSTAND HAVING A FAMILY MEMBER WITH A DISABILITY! I MYSELF HAVE A HEARING IMPAIRMENT AND DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF A RETARD BUT I USE THE WORD TO DESCRIBE PEOPLE WITH NO DISABILITY, BECAUSE WITH WITH NO EXCUSE, ARE MENTALLY CHALLENGED!!! YOU MAY NOT AGREE AND YOU DEFFINETLY HAVE THE RIGHT!
I just got back from seeing it….they are all OVER REACTING. This ridiculous overly PC wah wah liberal bull that they're protesting about the film is crap. I'm not trying to make fun of a political group so don't get your panties in a twist, but really? it was funny..I thought that pineapple express was better….but it was funny and I think that before they protest…they should see it. You should too!
i am seeing it! love ben stiller
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By the way: the new politically correct term for mental retardation is intellectually challenged.
I heard that term used by the Special Olympics people.
Intellectually challenged seems like a pretty broad description, don't you agree? Unfortunately I can think of many people who fit that term, and they are not mentally retarded either.
yeah, i should see the movie before i make any judgements about it, you're right. that's one good point i've heard made from someone with a different opinion. but i am not going to pay money and support something that i am this sure i will find incredibly offensive. everyone keeps replying and telling me i need to calm down, i believe i have the right to speak my mind on here without being told "shut my bitch ass up", i didn't tell any of you to shut up. this movie will have thousands of people quoting the popular saying 'never go full-retard' (there were shirts made with this on it for anyone who doesn't already know). imagine being an expecting mother who was just told the baby inside you has some chance of having down syndrome and hearing such hurtful things. i am less caught up in the image this movie is potraying, and more enraged by how insensitive a lot of these comments are. let me attempt leaving this argument alone with a fact that continues to blow my mind; at this point in time, there is a 90% termination rate for children with down syndrome in LA alone, i don't think this movie is going to help make that rate go down at all.
I think this is all just absolutely absurd. Why don't people get a sense of humor anymore? I personally want to see the movie because Robert Downey looks funny as a actor playing a black guy.
THE POINT IS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING WRONG, EVERYTHING IS OFFENSIVE, RACIST, SEXIST IT'S JUST RIDICULIOUS. I LOVE A GOOD LAUGH AND ALOT OF THESES PEOPLE NEED TO FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WITH THEIR TIME. FOR EXAMPLE IM BLACK AND I THINK ITS FUNNY AS HELL THAT ROBERT DOWNEY JR. IS PLAYING A BLACK GUY!
I think the movie looks great! I can't wait to see it! We need more people who are willing to push the lines in this country on things like this. We need to become more open-minded and learn to laugh more things off.
I'm gonna watch this… I agree the whistleblowers get too dumb sometimes.
Re: khaaarm –
Except they aren't making fun of people with mental disabilities. It's satire about our culture and all the people who don't understand that their behavior of using the word "retards" and making fun of people with disabilities makes them look like jackasses. It's not about telling people to get a sense of humor, to be honest, I think half the people who commented about this in support of Ben Stiller don't really get the idea either.
I'm mentally challenged everyday just trying to justify my obsession with this website. Get over your precious self. Oh blah!!!!!
im on disability for mental illness.Im bipolar and i will fuckin laugh through this whole movie !!!!
No 'boycott', I just would never pay $10 to see a Stiller or Black or Downey movie who look and sound like old guys hanging out in a steambath.
Why don't they use hot tall funny guys instead of these smurfs?
I'm gonna watch it!
HONESTLY…
i effin hate America. I'm a chicago born american citizen but LIKE MANY TIMES BEFORE i am embarassed.. GET A SENSE OF HUMOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tom cruise?
sorry. won't see it.
tom cruise = homophobic $cientolobitch
That's absolutely ridiculous, I'm seeing it. This country is so rabidly radical about EVERYTHING. It's a movie, get over it!
Just get OVER IT, for christ's sake.
WWJD? Jesus would GET OVER IT, for christ's sake!
Re: khaaarm – Thank you for saying the things that you have said.
Whether the movie does make fun of those with disabilites or not, the unbelievable amount of venom and hatred shown in these comments and probably in many places when it comes up shows just how damaging a movie like this can be. There are many old movies that if we saw today, we would be shocked by the racism and sexism. Hopefully someday everyone will feel that way toward movies that belittle the disabled.
i thought the mentally/physically challanged people wanted to be create equal?? if so then they're allowed to be made fun of like everyone else! i mean it's nothing to take serious have a sense of humor people!! i love robert downey jr and i cant wait til it comes out
Puleeze if nobody's offended by Robert Downey Jr painted Black… we can get past this too. I can't wait to see it!
Does thinking that it's stupid and not worth my money count as boycotting?
khaaarm : I'm encouraged to know there are other people who are shining through the nonsense here. I don't have a family member with a disability; I just think.
To all: You are saying, "It's a joke, laugh". "Have a sense of humor." I laugh at everything . . . that's funny. I even found humor when Perez posted Two Girls, One Cup. My sister has epilepsy, but I laugh at seizure jokes. Epileptics aren't socially or historically outcast.
I know people who get off the bus in a rage or in tears because they were called a "retard". I know a woman who was raped, and the guy never cared because she was "a 'tard".
Are any of you capable of realizing that portraying people with disabilities as "others"–people less than human, devoid of value, and comic fodder–causes real social problems?
And to whoever said that they were teased the same as kids with disabilities . . . Grow up, think. If you believe that, you are ungodly self-absorbed and likely incapable of seeing your life objectively.
How often are GLBT treated as others? How often are they killed for it?
Totally seeing it, people need to lighten up.
Re: marijane – I'm a Chicagoan, too. I suspect we're on different ends of the city.
I'll see it…
I think that people like to jump on the bandwagon, I bet none have seen it but yet make up their mind about it. We need to have a sence of humor.
love ben stiller….will definitly see it for sure…..why do ppl gotta take things so seriously anyway
its a comedy movie lol lighten up '[
Re: annabel_thorrie – Wow! Super-great logic there!
If all of us against the movie should see it before making a judgment, does that mean all of you in favor of it and telling us to lighten up are going to spend a week with someone with a disability? Or even read up on the topic?
Hmmm . . .
I hate how people take this shit too damn seriously!
Like Robert Downy Jr, he's just acting! He's not making fun of black people.
Ben Stiller, is just making fun of the stupid celeberties out there, who are too DAMN FULL OF THEMSELVES! aka, Miley Cyrus
As usual I'm sure people are overreacting. I've seen things that mildly irritated me but I do not get buttsore and call for a boycott. It isn't meant to be taken seriously. And yes I'll be seeing the film.
YES YES YES it looks fantastic! It's all overreaction!
Of course i'll watch it! All funny man! Will they say… Oh gosh now you sound as retarded as that Piggy Hilton!
It's funny how using the "R" word (ooo…I'm shaking in me boots) is soooo offensive but playing black face isn't. Come on, get a sense of humor, people!!!!
I have better things to do then waste my money on this trash!
AHAHAHA some people are just so retarded.
re tard is a derrogatory remark period! its hurtful when you love someone who is mentally challanged andunless you have a child with issues, you wont get it, it isnt funny to hear no matter how its used. its got nothing to do with having a senseof humor,,
People are pissed?!?!?
I am certainly going to see the movie now!
I have been waiting months to see this movie. It's the only comedy I am going to pay to watch this summer. People are way too PC and I think it's just a minor mistake on their part. I am definitely still going to see it.
i'd check it out
I can't wait to see this!! I need to travel 1.5 hrs to see it but it'll be worth the drive I'm sure!!
Do people not have enough to do in their lives? Seriously? There are much bigger, more horrific causes going on in the world then some stupid movie Ben Stiller made that may or may not make fun of retarded people. FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WITH YOUR TIME. If you don't appreciate this form of comedy, don't watch it.
Jesus, grow a fucking backbone you ultra pc assholes.
dear retards and handicapped of the world,
Get a life. You are our free entertainment…that is why god made you look weird or walk funny.
Fuck that, I'll still see the movie.
Some people need to chillax and think before saying anything.
ben stiller trying to be sacha boron cohan now? borat has more talent and intelligence in his little finger than fucktard stiller who's about as funny as sarah silverman on a good day..ie"fuck matt damon"….don't get what's funny about that shiz. controversy? probly the only interesting thing about that "comedy"
Don't want to see or hear a joke about retards or the disabled? Save your money and don't see the movie. Simple as that. It's hypocritical for those fighting for equal rights for the disabled are lobbying against freedom of expression and free speech. It's not a documentary. Lighten up or I'll start to think the people looking out for the disability don't have a sense of humor. Idiots!!!!
What is wrong with you people? As a mother of a child with Down Syndrome I am appalled with these comments. It's one thing to make fun of people who can fight back, but my child would never hurt a fly. What happened to being compassionate and accepting of others? By the way, The Ringer was given an award for portraying mentally challenged people with humor and compassion. Get your facts straight. Someday you may have a child with a mental disability, God help them. Don't go see this movie!!!
Re: dlj1021 – ACTUALLY DUMBASS MY SISTER IS NOT DISABLED AND IF YOU ASKED HER THETEASING SHE GOT ALL THROUGH GRADE SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE WAS OVERWEIGHT WAS LIKE TORTURED! DISABLED PEOPLE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SUFFER EMOTIONALLY DAMAGING HARASSMENT! THATS BULLSHIT!
I love Ben Stiller. We all need to have a good laugh. Not make fun of people but just laugh. Life is to serious. We need a chance to smile and laugh. Even you perez take life to serious sometimes. We all are dealing with so much right now it ok to just smile.
Ok you ridiculous fat american wastes of space! There are children in other countries starving to death and begging on street corners and you idiots want to protest a movie because it might hurt someones feelings. Wake up call .. find a worthwhile cause where you are actually helping someone.
I will go see it. These people need to stop getting offended at EVERY LITTLE THING!!!! Man up! They know they wanna go see it and laugh too. There is one handicapped person that's like, "I am gonna go see it anyway." Stop Tripping over nothing!
I didn't plan on seeing it at all, cause I think stiller is a douche but now that everyones all riled up about it I think I will.
Something people don't understand is that using the "R" word is as offensive to disabled people and their families as using the "N" word is to those of African American descent. I have a precious disabled daughter and it really hurts my feelings and those of her brothers when people use the word "retard" all the time. I let people know that it bothers me and ask them not to say it, but I am also a big girl and I know people are unkind and I have to try to ignore them. I won't see the movie because it will make me uncomfortable. Hopefully anyone reading this will think twice about using the word anymore when there are many other adjectives that will work instead.
I would also add that it bugs me when people say things like, "That is so gay," when they are using it in place of stupid, lame, etc. Just as "retarded" is a technical label used for disabled people (as in MRDD-Mentally retarded/developmentally disabled), gay is a word that describes someone's sexual orientation. The words "retard" and "gay" should not be used as insults!!
im totally gonna see it, i mean im not a retard so why wouldnt i……
I've got a disability and I think that if people with disabilities want to be treated as equals, we ought to be able to take insults and mockery just like everyone else. You can't have it both ways!!
Seriously, what has this world come to?? Nobody has a sense of humor anymore!!!! Lighten up!!!
you're just causing more buzz around the film by wanting people to boycott it. any publicity is good publicity! if you find it offensive .. dont watch it. its simple. i doubt their references are going to make people say retard more or less… ITS A MOVIE. FAKE. AS IN .. NOT TRUE TO LIFE.
i wanna see this movie because i heart jack black…
my aunt was born with cerebal palsy, she's in a wheelchair 24-7, can't cook for herself, can't feed herself, can't bathe herself and has 2 different attendants that help her in the morning and at dinner time, however, she graduated from Temple University with a degree in Psychology and lives on her own in her own condo in one of the best complexs on the The Parkway in Philadelphia, for being disabled, my aunt is extremely intelligent, she's also an advocate for people with disabillities and has been featured in publications, she doesn't harp on her disability, she doesn't let it hold her back, the people that have disabilities who protest this movie are the people that let there disabilty run there life, they let the disability take over, my aunt is not like that, she tries to do whatever she can and i'm sure she would look past the controversy and see the movie if she wanted to, however, she and i do sometimes get offended, cuz some comedians or whoever do take it to far
People need to STFU and stop whining. I saw it last night in NY and it was HILARIOUS.
People need to stop taking movies so seriously. The word retard is used in just about every funny movie. Why is it acceptable to make fun of ugly, stupid, and fat people but everything else is off limits? Fucking PETA having a problem with Batman. Every movie puts sand in someones vagina so don't go see it retard.
watching it thursday! woot!
"Dahling, he can make up for it by casting Top Job and wife in the next film. They qualify as mentally-challenged."
The whole thread shows why movies like this are damaging…gives rude people more of an opportunity to make fun of others. It's not about PC, it's about human decency and respect. But, those who don't get it never will…until they acquire a disability or have a child with one. Ask John C. McGinley or Colin Ferrell if this is funny?
Re: jluke –
BINGO!!!
Re: quartknee –
Wow, not calling other people names of any kind would be a shame wouldn't it?
oh i will definitely see it.
i really doubt it's terribly offensive to handicapped people.
I'm definitely seeing this movie…who cares if different groups are made fun of and stereotyped? It's a MOVIE! If you don't like what you hear about it, don't go!!!
Oh people get over yourselves…love all three actors in this film a must see…!!!