The Case For ‘Tropic Thunder'

Comedians like to push boundaries until that very fine line of what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable is somewhat squeezed to its very limit. That, to me, is what the very best of comedy can do. Regardless of the situation that we find ourselves in today when it comes to what can and cannot be said, which is primarily being lead by 'activists' on social media, a movie such as Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder" still existing in this maddening stratosphere, uncancelled, is almost a miraculous occurrence.

However, it may soon be canceled. Please take note of the bastshit crazy thinking that went into Robbie Collin’s 6.12 Telegraph essay, “Let’s Not Kid Ourselves — Tropic Thunder‘s blackface joke is no better than Bo’ Selecta.” “Are we still allowed to laugh away unthinkingly at Tropic Thunder? Sorry, but no.” he quips with a straight woke face. Sure, let’s just cancel Robert Downey, Jr. and Ben Stiller for their twistedly hilarious satire, or, better yet, let’s just remove “Tropic Thunder” from all streaming services. That’s basically what Collins is saying here. Between this and Tuesday’s HBO Max “cancellation” of “Gone With the Wind,” our culture is going in the wrong direction.

I wrote in 01.22.20:

“Every once in a while I try to remind people that a comedy like “Tropic Thunder” would just not be able to get made today. Not in this heavily politicized world. Sure, go ahead and disagree with me, but remember in 2018 when athlete Shaun White dressed up as Stiller's Simple Jack character for Halloween and caused a total uproar, to the point where White had to issue an apology to the Special Olympics? This is real. This is the world we live in. Comedy is in dire straits at the moment.”

“Tropic Thunder” in 2020 is a landmine of triggered outrage waiting to happen. If this movie came out today, and bless Paramount for having had the chutzpah to release it just 10 years ago,  most would completely miss its point. For example, Robert Downey Jr's character in the film, Kirk Lazarus, doing blackface is a satirical take on method acting. It wasn't just played for laughs. It had a purpose. Sadly, these days, intent doesn't matter as much as perception. There isn't a firm line on what's funny and what's in poor taste anymore, but everyone loves to point out when they think that a line has been crossed.”