And in this corner… we have Ben Stiller’s character playing the intellectually impaired “Simple Jack.” But unlike Downey’s character, the only criticism he gets, other than a brief mention of bad box-office returns, is from Downey’s character for overplaying the character. Not because such an over-the-top performance could be offensive, but merely because it was something audiences couldn’t connect with.

In There’s Something About Mary, there’s a scene where one character’s ableism is specifically criticized. For those unfamiliar with the movie: Ben Stiller’s character is trying to get in touch with a nice girl he knew in high school that he’s still in love with (Cameron Diaz). So he hires this sleazy private detective who falls in love with her, too. Mary’s brother has an intellectual disability; the detective, who is totally villainous and unlikeable, says something like, “Yeah, I really love those r####!” (there’s more, similar foolishness in his speech as well). Mary is shocked, and the detective loses major brownie points with the girl he’s obsessed with.

I’m pretty sure the writers intend this scene’s humor to come from watching the private detective be such a jackass and get called on it. But he’s not called on it by a member of the group he’s just insulted (such as Mary’s brother). He’s called on it by a non-disabled person. Which may make dramatic sense (that particular non-disabled person is someone whose approval he REALLY wants), but sets up this weird thing where he becomes responsible *to a non-disabled person* for his ableism.

On top of that, although Mary is clearly disgusted with the detective’s behavior, she doesn’t get angry with him at all. (Her niceness being a huge source of the other characters’ attraction to her as well as of the film’s humor). She says something like, “Are you sure you should be talking like that about people you work with?” So the whole thing just comes off as another socially awkward situation for everybody.

And even if the writers were making fun of ableist jerks and not disabled people, they did it so clumsily that some viewers completely missed the point.

Great post.