Lightning Fast Protests Against ‘Tropic Thunder’
Posted on 15 August 2008 by Manny
What looks to be one of the year’s funniest movies of the summer ‘Tropic Thunder’ was already being protested during its Monday premiere. On what grounds you ask? Well for going “full retard.”
One of the most talked about scenes of the film is Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) giving Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) advice on how to play an award winning “retard” role. The scene goes into detail of the different award winning actors and how they approach the role by only going partially disabled. However, going “full retard” would be a guarantee shut out during award seasons.
The scene caused advocates for the mentally disabled to go up in arms at the premier. Tim Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics was among the protesters at the premier and said, “Name calling is a subtle but malicious practice that only serves to perpetuate stigma, fear, intolerance and more.” The actors, including actor/director Ben Stiller, feel that the satire of the movie is prominent enough to trump the allegation as a serious attack against the mentally disabled.
Related posts
Tags | ben stiller, comedy, protests, Robert Downey Jr., summer movies, tropic thunder
