August
5If only life were simple for Jack...
Spoiler alert: Don't read on if you want "Tropic Thunder" to be a surprise.As you probably know by now, "Tropic Thunder" is about a group of pampered and spoiled actors making a war movie in the jungle, only to stumble upon a real-life drug war.
The character played by Ben Stiller once starred as a "retard"--to quote from the movie--in a film called "Simple Jack." For various reasons, Stiller is forced to reenact his "Simple Jack" role in "Tropic Thunder." It's over-the-top crazy--and funny--and it was bound to offend someone.
Sometime this morning, DreamWorks and Paramount killed a "Simple Jack" website that was concocted as part of the film's viral marketing campaign. (The picture to the right was downloaded from the site before it was taken down.)
The timing is interesting. The website went black on the eve of a meeting between DreamWorks honchos and advocates of the mentally challenged. Studio will probably stress that "Tropic Thunder" has a singular purpose: To make fun of Hollywood, and of actors. Here's Variety reporter Tatiana Siegel's story about the Simple Jack website. Nothing is ever simple, is it?
Variety film reporter and blogger 
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I am African American and I did not find this movie offensive. I found it quite hilarious actually. This movie makes fun of actors more than anything else! Tropic Thunder made fun of Ben's character and his failed attempts to try and get an Oscar (he only made himself look stupid)When I laughed at "Simple Jack", I laughed at how stupid Ben's character was being.
Posted by: H | 8/16/2008 11:45:35 PM
The word "RETARD" is so out dated you think they would of come up with a better title. How abt "WILBUR COME HOME"
Posted by: fudrucker | 8/8/2008 12:46:44 PM
My reaction to the "n" word would depend on the context it was used and whether it was meant to attack or offend someone. Society really needs to take a step back and stop looking for things to be offended by (the "you people" scene is a GREAT example of that) I disagee with the site being over the line...the clips CLEARLY show what Simple Jack was about and if that was going to be offensive to you...why go there?? Im not saying that there isnt situations of discrimination or bias out there but shouldnt we be focusing and helping those that its happeneing to rather than wasting energy on a movie that CLEARLY is poking fun at the sterotypes and not meant to be taken seriously at all??
Posted by: KitKat | 8/7/2008 9:32:24 AM
I agree completely with shelly above. when I saw the trailer I said this is going to be a funny flick- Downey is great as an Afro-American, and the Simple Jack thing was ok, too,It reminded me of the dreadful Sean Penn film where he played a mentally challenged person. But where Dreamworks crossed the line is in setting up a Simple Jack website.Thankfully, they have taken it down.
Posted by: alex503 | 8/7/2008 6:46:34 AM
Can I ask posters what the reaction would be if the "n" word were thrown around like a baseball? Note that another character in this movie is in black face for much of it. This kind of "humor" is just out for the shock value, and does nothing but make fun at the expense of groups of people. Spend your money on actual humor, people.
Posted by: none | 8/7/2008 6:44:48 AM
The whole film makes fun of the entertainment industry - including the trend of giving Oscars for actors playing characters with disabilities. That is the point! Is it wrong if it makes that point through humor? No because it's true. Where Tropic Thunder failed was the fake website and publicity stunt. Unfortunately, such acts render the previous critical points useless because they are actually working to promote the stereotype. I have a feeling all would have been ok if the website wasn't involved, because using humor and the truth to show a fact/ trend in Hollywood wasn't the downfall. The promotional gimmicks were.
Posted by: Shelly | 8/6/2008 3:48:30 PM
While I can see what their concerns would be if this were a "serious" movie...Im of the opinion that they are being a LITTLE too sensitive about this. To focus on that is to completely miss the point and not "get" this movie (as well as see it for more than it is) I say to these organizations...quit taking YOURSELVES so seriously, relax and go see a comedy. Hmmm, I hear Tropic Thunder is a good choice...
Posted by: KitKat | 8/6/2008 12:45:09 PM