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(More customer reviews)Having seen most of Johnny Knoxville's film oeuvre, I have not been particularly impressed. I've admired some elements of the smaller films (Daltry Calhoun, Grand Theft Parsons) that he's done to extend his acting cred, but have found most of his "blockbuster" work (Dukes, Walking Tall) to be passable, at best, and excruciating, at worst. I'll admit, I was not first in line to see "The Ringer." The concept of Knoxville going undercover as a participant in the Special Olympics seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. In this world of political correctness, even the hint of impropriety threatens to derail questionable projects (much to my chagrin, most of the time), so I just didn't see how it was possible that this story was going to be made. But made it was, and with the full cooperation of the Special Olympics!
With minimal expectations, I actually found "The Ringer" to be very funny and filled with heart. Without a question, I feel this is Johnny Knoxville's best screen performance to date. He's wickedly funny, surprisingly sympathetic, and a credible romantic lead all rolled into one. In a scheme that is entered into with good intentions, Knoxville infiltrates the Special Olympics with the help of his uncle (a hysterically dark turn from Brian Cox). There, he finds it much more challenging than he had anticipated--both physically in the sporting events and mentally as it's difficult to maintain his cover. Of course, it doesn't help matters that he falls for a lovely volunteer (natch) played by "Grey's Anatomy"'s Katherine Heigl.
Of course, much of the humor is physical and much might be considered offensive in certain camps. I, for one, found it refreshing that the other participants of the Olympics were not portrayed as "saints" but as real people. The front-runner, for example, is an outright villain. And when Knoxville is set up on a blind date with a disabled girl, she is dismissive and irritable and downright mean. It's a progressive and unusual view, as most movies on this subject show exclusively favorable characterizations. Knoxville's plot against Heigl's boyfriend is hysterical, his camaraderie in the group is fresh and believable, and his romantic inclinations are well-played.
With moments of what seem like mean-spirited humor, this is actually a sweet and respectful picture. I think most people expected a bit more of the gross-out humor found in early Farrelly Brother's pictures. This is a slightly more conventional picture that the inspired "There's Something About Mary"--but I was shocked and delighted by how much I actually liked "The Ringer." KGHarris, 12/06.
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Pressured by a greedy uncle (Brian Cox) and a pile of debt, lovable loser Steve Barker (Knoxville) resorts to an unthinkable, contemptible, just-crazy-enough-to-work scheme. He pretends to be mentally challenged to rig the upcoming Special Olympics and bring home the gold. But when Steve's fellow competitors get wise to the con, they inspire him to rise to the greatest challenge of all: becoming a better person.Produced by the fearless Farrelly Brothers (There's Something About Mary, Shallow Hal), The Ringer will keep you smiling all the way to the finish line!
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