Tropic Thunder controversies

pure_mercury · 08-16-2008, 01:51 AM

So, in the new Ben Stiller-directed film Tropic Thunder, we have Ben Stiller playing a (just regular-stupid) actor character who is most famous for playing a retarded farmer called "Simple Jack," and we have Robert Downey, Jr. playing a white Australian actor who has his skin surgically darkened to play a black soldier character (basically, Downey is in blackface). Has anyone else been following the controversies with this? Actually, Downey's character has gotten way less attention; the use of the word "retard" in regards to the Simple Jack character has been the main point of contention, and there are some calls for boycott by advocates for the mentally disabled. Any thoughts? I am going out to see the film tonight, and I will follow up on this;

NOTE: I really enjoy offensive, transgressive comedy. Something would have to be incredibly unfunny (as well as offensive) for me not to laugh and be upset about it.

sassafrassquatch · 08-16-2008, 01:56 AM

People who are offended by movies, unless it's something really egregious like shooting a naked woman in the face, are retarded.

ajblaise · 08-16-2008, 01:58 AM

I don't get why such a big deal is being made. There have been plenty of movies that make fun of retards. And the white guy playing a black guy has been done.

Zergling · 08-16-2008, 02:10 AM

I don't really see the "retard" stuff as aimed actual mentally disabled people, As various other have said, it seemed more aimed at how characters in movies are shown than actual people.

The White guy playing a black guy didn't personally offend me, but I could see how someone might get offended at that.

The Alpa Chino character actually seemed the most possibly offensive character to me, since its such an obvious stereotype. Some of the movie southeast Asians also seemed like they could offend somebody.

Jack Flak · 08-16-2008, 02:27 AM

Idiots make a fuss about this because it gets press coverage; the press covers idiots like this because it makes a splash.

pure_mercury · 08-16-2008, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajblaise

I don't get why such a big deal is being made. There have been plenty of movies that make fun of retards. And the white guy playing a black guy has been done.

He's actually a white person IRL playing a white actor playing a black guy, if you didn't get that part.

Thursday · 08-16-2008, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassafrassquatch

People who are offended by movies, unless it's something really egregious like shooting a naked woman in the face, are retarded.

see!
this is why bluewing hates feelers

pure_mercury · 08-16-2008, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassafrassquatch

People who are offended by movies, unless it's something really egregious like shooting a naked woman in the face, are retarded.

That sort of thing doesn't bother me as much as knowing that the movie is based on real events. Documentaries and docudramas of actual horrific events in history tend to pull at my heartstrings more. I have been pretty well desensitized to non-torture onscreen violence. You know what ALWAYS gets audiences outraged, though? Violence toward animals.

millerm277 · 08-16-2008, 03:27 AM

I never get these controversies....unless the movie is doing something like saying "Everyone should go kill *insert group here*" or something like that, who cares? If you don't like it, don't see it and shut up.

Then again, being ISTP, I'm pretty much unoffendable when it comes to this type of thing.

As for this specific controversy, I don't see the point, people use retard all the time anyway, so that battle has been lost a long time ago.

Tallulah · 08-16-2008, 05:26 AM

I just saw the movie. My personal philosophy is that all's fair in comedy. If you don't like stuff being made fun of, you can save yourself the $8.

I thought the "retard" stuff was obviously more of a statement about the kinds of clueless actors that Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. were playing. I thought it was hilarious.

08-16-2008, 01:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
pure_mercury Order Now! Join Date: Feb 2008 Type: ESFJ Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,598	Tropic Thunder controversies So, in the new Ben Stiller-directed film Tropic Thunder, we have Ben Stiller playing a (just regular-stupid) actor character who is most famous for playing a retarded farmer called "Simple Jack," and we have Robert Downey, Jr. playing a white Australian actor who has his skin surgically darkened to play a black soldier character (basically, Downey is in blackface). Has anyone else been following the controversies with this? Actually, Downey's character has gotten way less attention; the use of the word "retard" in regards to the Simple Jack character has been the main point of contention, and there are some calls for boycott by advocates for the mentally disabled. Any thoughts? I am going out to see the film tonight, and I will follow up on this; NOTE: I really enjoy offensive, transgressive comedy. Something would have to be incredibly unfunny (as well as offensive) for me not to laugh and be upset about it. __________________ Who wants to try a bottle of merc's "Extroversion Olive Oil?"

08-16-2008, 03:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
millerm277 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Type: ISTP Location: NJ Posts: 808	I never get these controversies....unless the movie is doing something like saying "Everyone should go kill insert group here" or something like that, who cares? If you don't like it, don't see it and shut up. Then again, being ISTP, I'm pretty much unoffendable when it comes to this type of thing. As for this specific controversy, I don't see the point, people use retard all the time anyway, so that battle has been lost a long time ago. __________________ I-95%, S-84%, T-89%, P-84%

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08-16-2008, 01:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
sassafrassquatch Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Type: Posts: 967	People who are offended by movies, unless it's something really egregious like shooting a naked woman in the face, are retarded.

08-16-2008, 01:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
ajblaise Stealing your stem cells Join Date: Aug 2008 Type: INTP Location: New York Posts: 4,360	I don't get why such a big deal is being made. There have been plenty of movies that make fun of retards. And the white guy playing a black guy has been done.

08-16-2008, 02:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zergling Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INTx Location: Champaign, Ill Posts: 1,378	I don't really see the "retard" stuff as aimed actual mentally disabled people, As various other have said, it seemed more aimed at how characters in movies are shown than actual people. The White guy playing a black guy didn't personally offend me, but I could see how someone might get offended at that. The Alpa Chino character actually seemed the most possibly offensive character to me, since its such an obvious stereotype. Some of the movie southeast Asians also seemed like they could offend somebody.

08-16-2008, 02:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jack Flak Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Type: INTP Location: The Everlasting Sky Posts: 9,359	Idiots make a fuss about this because it gets press coverage; the press covers idiots like this because it makes a splash.

08-16-2008, 05:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
Tallulah Testify! Join Date: Feb 2008 Type: INTP Location: The land of awesome Posts: 2,946	I just saw the movie. My personal philosophy is that all's fair in comedy. If you don't like stuff being made fun of, you can save yourself the $8. I thought the "retard" stuff was obviously more of a statement about the kinds of clueless actors that Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr. were playing. I thought it was hilarious.