The disability advocates who are picketing "Tropic Thunder" should take a look at "The House Bunny." It is a much more worthwhile target for their complaints. In that movie, the title character becomes the house mother for a sorority of dorks and losers. She transforms them all with a little mascara, some skimpy clothes, and some tips on how to talk to boys. A few free drinks and an "Aztec virgin sacrifice" party blow-out later, and they're the most popular girls on campus. One of characters is a young woman wearing a brace for scoliosis, played by Rumer Willis, daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore (far right in the photo).
The movie also includes a character whose only characteristic is being very short, another defining condition played only for laughs. You can see only a portion of her arm in this publicity photo, which tells you everything you need to know about the role she plays in the movie.
As usual with a disabled character like the girl in the brace, the disability is her only characteristic and we never learn anything else about her. SPOILER ALERT: Incredibly, the plot resolution for this character is that the brace simply falls off of her as she runs (like "Forrest Gump"), with a little help from the former bunny. It turns out she has not needed the brace for four years but kept it on because she was shy. Instead of taking the opportunity to show us a disabled character who is comfortable with her disability and is able to have a full life of studies and friends, the movie implies that no one can be popular and confident with a back brace.
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I am glad someone mentioned Stuck on You. I really enjoyed the ending myself. My mother is a therapist for mentally and sometimes physically handicapped children. I grew up in her room, with her students. They were some of my best friends growing up. I never thought anything was wrong with them, they were just kids like me who were smart and funny and creative and all around great. I still go with her to work sometimes and I still can't find a single thing wrong with them. That's because there is nothing wrong to be found. We as a culture learn that people are supposed to be this one way--all the same. When encountering someone who doesn't fit that description often the reaction is fear and hate. I wish more media would feature varying people. My mother's students experience social isolation because kids are taught to dislike anything different. Perhaps if there was more out there celebrating our differences the world would be a kinder place for future generations.
Thanks for a wonderful comment, Crystal, and my regards to your mother and her patients. You make the important point that the physical and mental challenges are not nearly as difficult for disabled people and their families as the social isolation based on ignorance and fear. Many times it is just because people do not know what to say or how to behave. You were very lucky to learn early on that the answer is just to be open and friendly. Those who appreciate that will have friendships they treasure always.
omg...
Thanks for posting C. McGhee! The comments here show that even a silly little movie with no pretensions can lead to a thoughtful and very frank conversation about subjects with a lot of meaning. Sometimes a silly movie is a better starting point than one that takes the issues too seriously. In general, comedies take on controversy sooner and more directly than dramas -- take a look at "Dr. Strangelove" or even "Tropic Thunder."
I had a back brace. I agree that this movie implies simply that:
back brace = nerd
So, for the young teenagers who simply can't shed their brace and go running off into the land of popularity, you're SOL.
the soup nazi says,
NO SOCIAL LIFE FOR YOU!
Thanks. This is great. Another shallow movie to raise the kids on.
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