Chuck Koplinski was born and raised in Kankakee before setting out for the windy city where he studied film at Columbia College and earned an education degree at University of Illinois-Chicago. Having moved to Champaign-Urbana 17 years ago, Koplinski has been spouting off about film in the area's various local independent newspapers for the last 12 years. Completely confused as to why Caddyshack and Fargo are held in high regard but confident that Judge Dredd and Big Trouble in Little China are films that time will reveal to be classics, he's forever in his father's debt for having introduced him to the cinema of the 1930s and '40s.
This week, Ask Politely is a special commentary by our resident film critic, Chuck Koplinski. The rest of the piece can be found by clicking "Continue Reading" below. Please join in the discussion.
This is going to be messy.
There is a current controversy raging around Ben Stiller’s new film, “Tropic Thunder.” At its core, it is a vicious satire about vacuous Hollywood movies, the avarice of the bean counters that finance them and the narcissistic film actors who star in them. Method acting, the process through which performers go to great lengths to research and inhabit their roles before the cameras begin to roll, takes a particularly strong beating. In the film, five time Oscar winner Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) goes to the nth degree with this method by undergoing a skin pigmentation process that makes him look like an African American in order to play his role.
However, this modern take on blackface isn’t causing the firestorm. Actually, I haven’t read a single derogatory thing about it. Nope, the controversy is about the film’s frequent use of the “R word.”
No, it's not “rim job,” either.
It's “retard.”
In an effort to save his flagging career, action star Tugg Speedman (Stiller) has made a film called “Simple Jack,” in which he plays a mentally challenged innocent along the lines of Lennie from “Of Mice and Men.” It’s an unmitigated disaster and when the topic of his performance comes up between the actor and Lazarus, the latter advises that in taking on a role, “You never go full retard.” Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump” and Dustin Hoffman in “Rain Man” were fine, according to the master thespian, because they each possessed some sort of other talent (playing ping pong and counting cards, respectively.) However, Sean Penn made the mistake of going "full retard" in “I Am Sam,” which according to Lazarus, was a big mistake.
The offensive word is used about a half dozen times during this exchange and, while I’m not doing the material justice, the intent of the scene is to demonstrate how ignorant, out of touch and insensitive these actors are. They are in the movie business for two reasons and two reasons only; to make money and achieve fame. And they will do anything to get it, as well as step on and use anyone that can help them gain their self serving goals.
Protests have sprung up at theaters around the country concerning the use of this word, claiming that the film is insensitive in the way it uses the term, conveys that its usage is acceptable and that it demeans those who are mentally challenged. (I am, of course, not sure if this is an acceptable term now either and am fearful of offending anyone by using it or any other declarative terminology.)
As an area middle school teacher, I cover Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men each year and I discuss his use of offensive language in the novel, in particularly his use of the “N word.” I point out that simply because the author used the word, does not make him a racist. Quite the contrary, as evidenced by his portrayal of Crooks, the only African American character in the book, whose tragic sense of low self esteem is a product of the racism he’s had to endure his entire life. When the characters in the novel use this offensive term, it portrays them as ignorant, crass, and, in certain instances, racist.
The same principle applies to Stiller and “Thunder.” In using the word repeatedly, the actor/writer effectively underscores simply how misguided these actors are. There’s nothing cool or endearing in the way they use “retard.” The characters come off as uninformed and insensitive and the more they utter this term, the more powerfully this point is driven home.
While I, other critics, and the makers of the film can defend it until we’re blue in the face, it does nothing to assuage those who have been offended by it. I am not the father of an autistic son, I do not have to care for a daughter with Downs Syndrome and I do not have any first hand experience in dealing with anyone who has a mental disability. I do not know of the daily challenges they face or the struggles they are forced to endure regarding other’s perceptions of their children. While it would be easy of me to tell these heroic people to see the other side of this issue or to simply loosen up, I would not be justified in doing so as I have not walked in their shoes or dealt with their trials.
That being said, the thing that bothers me most about this controversy is that it seems as though more than a few people are raising a stink without having seen “Tropic Thunder.” Some are basing their activism on samples of the script they have read, which does not reflect how the material is presented on the screen, or are protesting simply because other organizations are, much like Jennifer Schrad who set up a table in the lobby of the Savoy 16 to raise viewer’s awareness of the issue. (She and others will be at the theater this weekend to distribute information. Kudos to the manager of the theater, Jeremy Curtis for facilitating this open forum.) Similar to those who protested “The Last Temptation of Christ,” sight unseen, during its release and those who join efforts to ban books without having read them, taking this sort of position without examining the source material is a dangerous stance to take and undercuts the credibility of their argument.
OK, there’s my two cents (I know, reads more like 50 cents worth).
Now it’s your turn. Is the use of the word “retard” ever acceptable? Does “Tropic Thunder” use this term in an exploitive manner or in an effort to underscore ignorant behavior? Is this controversy a valid one or a tempest in a teapot?
Comments (10)
Friday, August 15, 2008 9:17 PM
I think the use of controversial language/stereotypes can be acceptable within the confines of a creative work. And I also think protesting a film you haven't seen is questionable. However, "Tropic Thunder" is more than just the movie appearing in theaters this week- it's a new marketing juggernaut that's been active online for months via assorted fake trailers and websites. The site for "Simple Jack" (before it was taken down) was pretty tasteless (with the tag line "Once upon a time... there was a retard") and not very funny because it wasn't directly referencing the 'real' film. The source of humor for the site was simply Ben Stiller acting and looking like a 'retard'- the extra layer of context that exists around the word in "Tropic Thunder" wasn't a part of the "Simple Jack" promotion. The same Hollywood ignorance that Stiller lampoons in "Tropic Thunder" seems to have been at work when the "Simple Jack" site was greenlighted- no one involved realized that it was tasteless until the complaints started rolling in. I'm reminded of Hume Cronyn's character's quote in "The Parallax View": 'Ever laughed at a comedian pretending to stutter? There's nothing funny about stuttering, but people laugh. They're amused. But they're not happy about it.'
Saturday, August 16, 2008 2:06 AM
Wow, this is such a tricky topic. I find it hard to believe that Stiller and company were really using r word as part of their satire... I'm sure they were just going for some cheap South Park-ish laughs. Unfortunately, I think there's a niche for that kind of humor. The term "retard," much like the term "gay," is too often used as a synonym for "fool" or "idiot," and everything about it is ignorant. The tagline "once upon a time... there was a retard" is classless, and I can't believe anyone would find that funny to begin with. I think all parties involved displayed an embarrassing lack of wit an imagination. That said, in the debate between free speech and political correctness, free speech will, thankfully, always reign supreme. Tropic Thunder may be offensive, ignorant, and low-brow, but it absolutely shouldn't be censored. And protesters are only hurting their cause; the controversy will naturally draw more viewers.
Great article, Chuck.
Monday, August 18, 2008 6:09 PM
"Once upon a time... there was a retard" can definitely be seen as satire. Here's how:
1. The "Once upon a time" half sets the tagline up as something uber-cliche, and instantly recognizable as a movie poster tagline.
2. The ellipses "..." between "Once upon a time" and "there was a retard" signify a dramatic pause, which causes the reader to build up anticipation for the payoff.
3. The payoff is "there was a retard". This is the part of the film's pitch -- if we're reading this tagline as a movie poster -- that is used to get an audience into the theater. However, the payoff of this particular tagline is incredibly bland and undescriptive, which suggests the "makers" of the poster/tagline are banking on the fact that the film chronicles a "retard" as a key selling point.
4. There have been movies that exist with the sole purpose of mining the "cuteness-factor" of mental retardation (umm, "The Other Sister") to entertain non-mentally retarded audiences. One could argue that these films exploit the topic of mental retardation for box office receipts.
5. If that is the case, then the movie poster for "Simple Jack" is just a clever comment on that trend, which would qualify it as "satire".
6. Ben Stiller, before he starred in "Meet the Parents"-clones and kiddie films, was a comedy writer/performer who even had his own sketch comedy show on Fox. He is not new to the concept of parody and satire, or the distinction between the two.
7. To all of those people with children or family members that suffer from Downs Syndrome or other forms of mental retardation, I empathize with your situation and your reaction to the casual use of the word "retard" is understandable. It truly doesn't affect most people the way it affects you. But please keep in mind that this is comedy we're talking about here -- somebody's at the butt of every joke, and it takes a lot of butts to make the world go 'round. I'm sure somewhere along the way, there was some guy who got a pie to the face that didn't find any humor in the situation at all.
8. There is no such thing as bad publicity.
I haven't seen "Tropic Thunder" yet, but I have to say that "Pineapple Express" was pretty awesome.
Monday, August 18, 2008 8:24 PM
Is this Koplinski guy for real? You mean he has nothing better to do on his birthday than write op-eds about Hollywood and protests? I protest! How can he have a soft spot Stallone AND Manilow! Big Tony might have introduced him to the classics of the 30s, but what would he say about Judge Dredd? Oy! Next he'll be waxing nostalgic about Robert Blake's Hell Town. You need to get out of the old barn once in a while. Anyway, happy belated!
Saturday, August 23, 2008 8:58 PM
I'm gonna see this movie once it comes to the cheap, beer-serving theaters in my town (Portland), but I have to comment about context.
Right. I haven't seen the movie yet. But I have seen the previews. Over and over. Like a lot of folks. The preview was made by the folks who made the movie, the folks who can best make an adequate glimpse into the heart of the movie. I know that previews aren't supposed to delve into every aspect of the movie, the surprise cameos and the justification for using the "r-word" or an actor in blackface in 2008. Still, if the film's makers consolidate the film into a preview that reminds people of the minstrel days, that either speaks poorly of the film or poorly of the editors of the preview (or both).
Monday, August 25, 2008 2:18 PM
Dear Chuck,
Thank you for the mention above. I thank you for your comment, "While it would be easy of me to tell these heroic people to see the other side of this issue or to simply loosen up, I would not be justified in doing so as I have not walked in their shoes or dealt with their trials." You’re 100% right about that.
However, you say “Some are basing their activism on samples of the script they have read, which does not reflect how the material is presented on the screen, or are protesting simply because other organizations are, much like Jennifer Schrad who set up a table in the lobby of the Savoy 16 to raise viewer’s awareness of the issue.’ I have seen the film. I saw it the second day that it was in the theaters. (I was busy with our rally the first day it was out) My opinion remains unchanged and everything that the disability community is saying about it was exactly how it is presented in the film. I have been speaking out about the pain that the “R” word causes long before Tropic Thunder’s release and long before the birth of my daughter who has Ds. You don’t have to love someone with a disability to have a basic level of human compassion. My efforts at our rally came from my passion and not a desire to do it as you’ve stated, ‘simply because organizations are.’ Where did you even get the idea that we would be involved for any other reason?
Look, it is a satire, though poorly done. I doubt Stiller intended any of this. He probably didn’t anticipate that t-shirts featuring “Never Go Full Retard” would be sold (by and to people who have not necessarily seen the film either). I ask, what image might you think of when you see it on a shirt; a pompous actor or a real person with an intellectual disability? I doubt he realized that that phrase would enter our lexicon as a cool new insult to fling at one another. I don’t think he realized that this film gives audiences permission to use the “R” word and that people with disabilities and those of us who love them would be humiliated – just by hearing the lines. I do not believe he understood that school may be a little less safe this fall because of the phrase.
None of the movie’s defenders has yet to explain the satire behind the scene in which Matthew McConaughey inquires about Speedman’s adoption process. "At least you have a choice. I'm stuck with mine." (pan to a photo with his son who appears to have an intellectual disability). Also, Stiller took great care with the story line of RDJ in blackface. Stiller said, “It was definitely a constant process of feeling it out. But [in general] what Robert was doing was so genuine and funny, it felt okay.” If they had taken any such care with the disability story line, this could have been avoided.
Retard, the “R” word, like the “N” word has a long history full of pain that most of America is blissfully unaware of. It is not possible to use it as an insult but Not mean anything bad about a person with real disabilities. It is not simply a synonym for stupid or dumb. It is humiliating. It won’t likely be an actor who comes home from school in a few weeks devastated because someone called him/her a retard or said ‘you went full retard.’ Words have power. If nothing else, this film has shaken up the community enough to stand up – finally – and educate people on how and why we can all do better. As an area middle school teacher you have a lot of power to speak up when you see this sort of thing happening and I ask you to do so.
---Jennifer Schrad
Monday, August 25, 2008 3:18 PM
I never got the option to “never go full retard” when my daughter was born. It wasn’t anywhere on the checklist that I received. Oh wait…I NEVER GOT A CHECKLIST. I am not an actor. I am not playing a part in a movie. I am real life. I am living a real story. I am raising a real little person with real life health issues that came with a diagnosis of mental retardation. So quit hiding behind “We don’t mean to pick on those people”. Come look at the little girl, mother, father, brother, aunt, uncle, grand-mother, grand-father and the list grows - that IS hurt. My son who is hurt at the core of his being when someone uses the word as a weapon. He is 13 and typical. I am happy to meet you for lunch - dinner - snack or visit your classroom. YOU have the most impact on your children outside of their home. The R word was first and foremost in all the literature that I read about my daughters seizure disorder. Down syndrome is one thing but she has far worse issues. I get it that the medical field uses this word a lot. Our therapists and doctors use the words "developmentally delayed" because it's easier on the heart and mind. However the R word is a medical word and it's profound in my daughters diagnosis. I have been patient...but no more. When you read the words "profound mental retardation" it etches on your heart and mind that this is a PERSON they are talking about. She is a little girl, 3 years old, that doesn't deserve it to be used carelessly and thoughtlessly by people who should know better by now.
Here is a secret that I know and you don’t - my world is inclusive. My world can and will welcome you at any time. Everyone is one mis-step, one car accident, one birth accident, one stroke away from joining me. Accidents happen all the time. So while you can poke fun, I am here waiting. The day will come. The day will be here sooner then you realize where it will slam into your chest - the ache of having someone you love have special needs. And as much as you don’t deserve it, you will reap the benefits as well. Unconditional love and support.
Watch what you say because your words have power. Careful where you step because you can easily slip into my shoes. And by the way it's a child with autisim not an autistic child. As a teacher you should be on the front lines of using people first language. Let me know what school you are in so I can protect both my typical and my special needs child from your class (or lack thereof)
Monday, August 25, 2008 5:23 PM
Wow. Isn't it ironic that this guy calls people out for not doing their homework (on not seeing the movie), and then gets busted for... not doing his homework on the people he is calling-out! OH SNAP!
-Markmotown
Monday, August 25, 2008 10:58 PM
While I am a big fan of free speech, I still have issue with what has happened in regard to this movie. The movie itself is rated R, therefore only consenting adults and children with permission can view the movie. That is their right. The movie company advertising is something a little different. My children see that on TV in between their shows(during the limited time they get to watch TV). This movie is obviously not the only issue with advertising, we all see more gore and sex on the TV in between shows than on the shows. And we sit here and wonder why everyone is so desensitized to violence, why sexual crimes are up, and why picking on people(creating a hostile environment that they can not get away from) is just the next form of entertainment. So, I know, just don't see the movie, right? As said in an earlier comment, what about the t-shirts that are on sale, targeted at teens who haven't seen the movie, don't understand the humor, and are insulting anyone that doesn't look like them? Where is my right to not have to listen to my daughter get upset, because she is insulted for her younger brother? When she has to look at those shirts in public, where are her rights? Fortunately she took a stance against this word before this movie came out and got the word banned at her school as hate speech. It's not about freedom of speech, it's about freedom of education and the evolution of our species. You can tell the level of a society by the way they take care of those who are less fortunate. I don't remember who said that, but it sounds like the truth to me.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:24 AM
The issue has been around for a lot longer than this movie but DreamWorks went so far over the top, it was impossible to not say something in defense of those who can not speak for themselves. And that's not to say that everyone with an intellectual disability can not speak for themselves. Take some time to get educated on how the misuse of a medical term affects those who have an intellectual disability- more commonly known as self advocates. Many self advocates are stepping up and trying to explain this from their point of view. Some parents (and others) are speaking up for those that can't speak for themselves yet-whether due to age or ability.
Since you teach middle school, you have the perfect position to give credence to this 'fight'. In some ways, it reminds me of the fight the African-American population had in regards to the 'n-word'. Was everyone supportive and understanding about how offensive that word is in the beginning? When African-Americans said 'enough!' and took a stand, did everyone agree then? How many of your teacher colleagues would allow a student to say or call another student the 'n-word' during class or hall time? Yet, how many of those same educators let it slide when the 'r-word' is bandied about?
You see, my issue isn't with Tropic Thunder alone- it's the fallout that concerns me. Fall-out in the form of new catch phrases and merchandise being spouted at the mall, in the library, at school-that’s what concerns me. This movie, by default, gives people the idea that it’s ok to use this type of satire in the real world. It isn’t- the ‘r-word’ is just as demeaning as every other classification of hate speech that’s all ready been accepted by society as ‘taboo’.
I’m not saying that I feel “Tropic Thunder” should be banned- I do question how it made it to production without anyone stopping to think about the possible ramifications that it would bring to society. Words do matter, just try being bullied for a while and I bet you'll remember how much hurt it causes for a long time. As another person mentioned, it's about respect and common decency. Two things our society could use more of, in my opinion.