Source: NY Times

Tropic Thunder is facing a nationwide boycott by a coalition of disabilities groups. The film has among other perceived open ridicule of the intellectually disabled, a subplot dealing with Ben Stiller's character chasing an Oscar by playing a character called "Simple Jack", who is repeatedly referred to as a "retard" and is portrayed as a mindless idiot.

“Not only might it happen, it will happen,” stated Timothy P. Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, who intends to be in Los Angeles at the premiere and picket the film. Shriver has gone so far as to request that Congress pass a resolution condemning the "hate speech" and for stronger protection and support of the mentally disabled.

“The most disappointing thing, the most incredible thing, is that nobody caught it," continued Shriver, who notes that the film took careful pains to circumvent other offensive references, especially the one dealing with Robert Downey Jr.'s role as a white actor playing a black soldier.

Due to the uproar, DreamWorks' spokesman Chip sullivan stated that the movie was “an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the-top characters in ridiculous situations.” He went on to state that the film was in no way meant to harm or degrade the mentally handicapped, that DreamWorks would work more closely with disability groups on future endeavors, but that “No changes or cuts to the film will be made.”

Because DreamWorks refuses to edit the film and remove the offending material, Shriver and his group, and other similar groups have opted to take a more aggressive stance on behalf of the disabled. “The movement needs to enter the public eye and not just be talking among ourselves.”