Simple Jack is a fictional film referenced in the real movie Tropic Thunder. Ben Stiller's character, Tug Speedman, tried to win an Academy Award by starring in a movie about a man with learning disabilities who learns to cope with life.
Backlash
In August 2008, a group of advocates for people with disabilities petitioned executives at DreamWorks and Paramount to have a meeting to discuss the depiction of disabled people in the film Tropic Thunder.Patricia E Bauer: Disability Right Groups Organizing Over Tropic Thunder (August 2, 2008) The website promoting Simple Jack has since been shut down.NY Magazine: Tropic Thunder Abandoning Simple Jack? (August 5, 2008)
Simple Jack Blogs and Commentaries
Patricia Bauer: Sorry, Mr. Stiller...You've crossed the line (August 2, 2008)
Patricia E Bauer: Disability Right Groups Organizing Over Tropic Thunder (August 2, 2008)
Video Gum: Simple Jack Website
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Featured in Tropic Thunder
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Starring
Ben Stiller as Tug Speedman playing Simple Jack
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Tagline
"Once upon a time ... there was a retard."
