I was reading an article in this week's Guardian and found a great defense of the summer comedy
Tropic Thunder that speaks to the intentions of the film's ideological second cousin
My Name is Buttons. The author of the article does a great job of explaining why neither film is mocking the mentally ill, but rather
taking aim at Hollywood and the audiences themselves for perpetuating a certain impossible image of the disabled. Though our micro-budgeted film will always be a little rough around the edges, I'm still proud of what we were trying to do, and think this article sheds some light on what's wrong with the magical idiot movie (see Forrest Gump). I've linked to the article below. Even if you don't agree with everything, I suspect you'll find it interesting.
Excerpt from the article:
For decades, Hollywood colluded in the dismissal of disability by ignoring it. Its current practice of glamorising the subject is perhaps even more pernicious. Understanding of dementia was set back, rather than advanced, by its rosy misrepresentation in 'Away From Her.' The movies' insistence that manic depression and autism come accompanied by good looks, unusual charm and near-magical powers hasn't endeared people with these conditions to the rest of us. It's increased the burden on them, by arousing unrealistic expectations of their capacities.
