Retards in Cinema
With the conclusion of Mental Retardation Awareness Month (learn more
here at the
Arc website (the arc is a good place, I used to shop at the arc in Denver, it's where I got my first
dumb terminal (mmm, better leave that one alone) ) ) I've decided to compile a small list of retards in cinema. Many of you know that I've avoided the whole mentaly retarded issue with this website, and kept it aimed at non-mentaly retarded retard fun. I don't feel that this list is wrong, but maybe I'll compile a list of mental retardation resources at the end to make me feel better or something.
The List [stars represent quality of retard]
<DL><DT>
Arnie Grape in What's Eating Gilbert Grape [*****]
<DD>Probably the most honest retard in a movie. Amazing acting, and not disrespectful.
<DT>
Karl Childers in Sling Blade [*****]
<DD>Also portrayed well, but more importantly, a full character worth following for an entire movie. Mucho retrasado! (
Kevin says this should be "Muy Retardado")
<DT>
Benny Stulwicz in LA Law [****]
<DD>Ok, not a movie (include
LA Law Return to Justice, the TV Movie, and we'll call it even), but one of the earliest retards I was introduced to on screen. A nice character, fairly inspiring, that showed us the challenges of a retard in a high power law firm.
<DT>
Warren in There's Something About Mary [***]
<DD>A good comic relief retard, like Spinner Dunn, cliche, but everyone loves to laugh at retards in this movie, so it's all in good fun.
<DT>
Spinner Dunn in Death to Smoochy [**]
<DD>This is your happy 40 year old retard. Fun, but pretty cliche.
<DT>
Sloth Fratelli in The Goonies [**]
<DD>Baby Ruth!! You know: fun, saves the day, bonds with the fat kid. Cute, but probably not shown durring M.R.A.M. at too many places.
</DD></DL>
What about?
Forest Gump and Rain Man. Forest Gump wasn't retarded, he was just stupid. Rainman wasn't retarded either. Besides, I didn't like either movie.
Conclusion So that's it; hope you enjoyed, and if you would like to know more about the challenges and victories of the mentaly retarded and their families,
start here.