The Ringer Movie Review 2005

Throughout their film careers, the Farrelly Brothers have consistently showcased their un-ironic affection for both toilet humor and the mentally handicapped. However, their attempt to bring the two together in this Johnny Knoxville vehicle (directed by one of their farm-team minions) fails miserably. Steve (Knoxville) is a nice guy who, thanks to money woes, gets talked into posing as a retarded athlete, so his uncle Gary (Cox) can fix the Special Olympics. It sounds like the most "wrong" comedy ever, but the script is completely toothless, vacillating between mocking the handicapped and telling us how awesome they are. Hypocrisy is rarely funny, and this dud is no exception.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Running time 94 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

The Olympics, Sports Comedies, Mental Retardation, Not-So-True Identity, Aunts & Uncles, Nieces & Nephews, Scams, Stings & Cons, Gambling

Screenplay

Ricky Blitt

Cast

Johnny Knoxville, Brian Cox, Katherine Heigl, Geoffrey Arend, Leonard Earl Howze, Jed Rees, John Taylor, Edward Barbanell, Bill Chott, Leonard Flowers

Cinematography

Mark Irwin

Director

Barry W. Blaustein

Music

Mark Mothersbaugh

Other

Jonathan Stein, Tom Wolfe, Manish Raval, George Folsey, Arlan Jay Vetter, John Frick, Lisa Jensen

Producer

Peter Farrelly, Bradley Thomas, Bobby Farrelly, Fox Searchlight, Conundrum Entertainment, 20th Century-Fox