It’s been 15 years since the release of ‘Tropic Thunder.’ The comedic masterpiece from Ben Stiller follows a group of actors working on a war film. Left in the middle of the jungle, they don’t realize that the film is over. Left alone, these pampered Hollywood actors with no practical skills must make it out of the jungle alive.
The humor in the movie was ahead of its time. Under the moral policing of the woke, it wouldn’t have worked. However, Ben Stiller is not going to apologize for the movie. He’s not bothered by the negative discourse around the film. In a recent tweet, the actor-filmmaker said he’s proud of the film. Ben Stiller is standing by the film come hell or high water.
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Ben Stiller Is “Proud” Of ‘Tropic Thunder’
Lightyears ahead of its time, ‘Tropic Thunder’ represented what’s wrong with Hollywood. Ben Stiller’s movie took potshots at the artistic process and how capitalism keeps blocking the way to true art. To add layers to the satire, Stiller had Robert Downey Jr. play an Australian actor who’s playing an African American character in the movie. This decision was quick to catch fire publically.
The idea for blackface was to illustrate the extent of whitewashing done to portray a false sense of self which borderlines on the offensive. Ben Stiller also came under fire for playing a mentally disturbed character named ‘Simple Jack.’ His portrayal of Jack was meant to comment on how certain actors have won Academy Awards for playing physically or mentally unsound characters.
In a recent tweet, someone asked Ben Stiller to stop apologizing for his movie ‘Tropic Thunder.’ Quickly clearing the air, Ben Stiller corrected this post by saying he’s not apologizing for the movie and stands by it, saying, “I make no apologies for Tropic Thunder. Don’t know who told you that. It’s always been a controversial movie since when we opened. Proud of it and the work everyone did on it.”
I make no apologies for Tropic Thunder. Don’t know who told you that. It’s always been a controversial movie since when we opened. Proud of it and the work everyone did on it. 🙏✊😊
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) February 21, 2023
Ben Stiller has previously responded to the controversy around his portrayal of a person with intellectual disabilities. But he has not apologized for the use of blackface in the movie. With his recent tweet, he has set the record straight on the woke media questioning the legacy of his film.
‘Tropic Thunder’ Plot
Ben Stiller’s ‘Tropic Thunder‘ follows a film crew shooting a big-budget war movie. Soon, the squad of actors is dropped in the forest’s heart. The idea is to evoke genuine reactions of fear, but the actors realize they are lost. It’s up to them to work together and find their way back. Things could be easy, except some of them are still in character and denying the reality of their situation. To make matters worse, a local drug dealer is after them. A case of mistaken identities happens, and hilarity ensues.
Directed by Ben Stiller and co-written by Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, and Etan Cohen, ‘Tropic Thunder’ stars Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Jay Baruchel, and Brandon T. Jackson as a group of prima donna actors making a Vietnam War film. The supporting ensemble cast includes Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey, Bill Hader, and Tom Cruise.
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