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Run Time:
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
Starring:
Director:
Writer:
Producer:
Released in:
2005
Synopsis:
Steve Barker (JOHNNY KNOXVILLE) is a nice guy stuck in a mundane desk job when a twist of fate turns his life and his definition of success utterly upside down. When Steve works up the courage to ask his boss for a promotion, his wish is surprisingly granted, with one condition: Steve must first fire Stavi (LUIS AVALOS), the long-time janitor at the company. To soften the blow, Steve offers to employ the distraught janitor himself, a decision that quickly backfires when a lawn-care accident lands Stavi in the hospital missing several fingers not to mention medical insurance.Desperate for the cash to save Stavi's digits, Steve enlists the help of his smarmy uncle Gary (BRIAN COX), who's worried about his own skyrocketing gambling debts. In typical fashion, Gary comes up with an unthinkable, contemptible, lower-than-low scheme just crazy enough to seem doable: former track star Steve will compete in the upcoming Special Olympics as a ringer, handily defeating the greatest champion of all time, six-time Gold Medal pentathlete Jimmy (LEONARD FLOWERS), whom Gary will bet against. Racked with remorse over Stavi, Steve begrudgingly goes along with the scandalous plan and transforms himself into Jeffy, his new alter-ego. But succeeding at being intellectually challenged turns out to be a far greater challenge than Steve ever imagined. From convincing Special Olympics volunteer Lynn Sheridan (KATHERINE HEIGL), with whom Steve is smitten; to trying to win the friendship of his feisty fellow competitors, Steve is stumped, not to mention not nearly good enough to win any of his events. To make matters worse, Steve's co-competitors soon get wise to his scam. But instead of turning against him they decide to join him and train Steve as a competitor themselves, hoping he can topple the arrogant Jimmy from the podium. With a training regimen unlike anything ever seen in sports before, Steve prepares to go for the Gold for his new friends . . . and, in the process, stumbles at long last upon his personal best.
Copyright:
© 2005 Mediapartner B&B Filmproduktions GmbH & Co. KG and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
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CRITIC REVIEWS
Lew Irwin
Unlike most of the films being rushed out this weekend, The Farelly Brothers-produced The Ringer has no aspirations of drawing Oscar votes. But Good Morning America's Joel Siegel does give it credit for not being either a remake, a sequel, or a sequel of a remake like the other new comedies being released over the Christmas holiday. It is in such bad taste, no wonder it's original. No one else would have made this movie. The film, which stars Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame as a man who pretends to be mentally handicapped in order to enter the Special Olympics, does receive a fair amount of critical applause. One of those giving it a thumbs-up is Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times, who offers this personal observation: Although the Farrellys have made a career out of comedies in bad taste, I happen to know they have a sincere interest in mentally challenged people, because they have a good friend named Rocket who knows everything about the movies. When we were trying out co-hosts on the TV show, they called me and pitched Rocket for the job. 'For co-host?' I asked. 'Or your job,' they said. I was tempted, but afraid the audition might come across the wrong way. Elizabeth Weitzman in the New York Daily News remarks that the filmmakers have put together a film that is not only outrageous and often very funny but -- dare we say it? -- surprisingly sweet. The Associated Press's Christy LeMire was also surprised by the film's overall effect. She remarks that it's surprisingly funny -- often laugh-out-loud hilarious -- and yes, inspirational, without trying too hard. At least, most of the time. Nevertheless, most critics suggest that the Farrellys, intent on producing a film that will not exploit the mentally disabled, have wound up producing a relatively bland film. As Chris Kaltenbach puts it in the Baltimore Sun: If th
Reviewed by: mikjay on 7/21/2006 1:03:28 AM
I enjoyed watching this movie.I thought it was a step over the line at first glance - making fun of mentally challenged people - but it doesn't really do that.The acting was excellent, the story was good, there wasn't too much garbage (a little), and it shed a new light on people with special needs.I think it will be worth your while.
Lew Irwin
Unlike most of the films being rushed out this weekend, The Farelly Brothers-produced The Ringer has no aspirations of drawing Oscar votes. But Good Morning America's Joel Siegel does give it credit for not being either a remake, a sequel, or a sequel of a remake like the other new comedies being released over the Christmas holiday. It is in such bad taste, no wonder it's original. No one else would have made this movie. The film, which stars Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame as a man who pretends to be mentally handicapped in order to enter the Special Olympics, does receive a fair amount of critical applause. One of those giving it a thumbs-up is Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times, who offers this personal observation: Although the Farrellys have made a career out of comedies in bad taste, I happen to know they have a sincere interest in mentally challenged people, because they have a good friend named Rocket who knows everything about the movies. When we were trying out co-hosts on the TV show, they called me and pitched Rocket for the job. 'For co-host?' I asked. 'Or your job,' they said. I was tempted, but afraid the audition might come across the wrong way. Elizabeth Weitzman in the New York Daily News remarks that the filmmakers have put together a film that is not only outrageous and often very funny but -- dare we say it? -- surprisingly sweet. The Associated Press's Christy LeMire was also surprised by the film's overall effect. She remarks that it's surprisingly funny -- often laugh-out-loud hilarious -- and yes, inspirational, without trying too hard. At least, most of the time. Nevertheless, most critics suggest that the Farrellys, intent on producing a film that will not exploit the mentally disabled, have wound up producing a relatively bland film. As Chris Kaltenbach puts it in the Baltimore Sun: If the movie were as funny as it is well-meaning, this would be one for the ages. But it struggles so hard to be kind to its stars, many of whom are Special Olympians themselves, that it forgets to be funny. Heartwarming, yes, but not always funny.
Reviewed by: mikjay on 7/21/2006 1:03:28 AM
I enjoyed watching this movie.I thought it was a step over the line at first glance - making fun of mentally challenged people - but it doesn't really do that.The acting was excellent, the story was good, there wasn't too much garbage (a little), and it shed a new light on people with special needs.I think it will be worth your while.
The Ringer has 5 user ratings.
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The Ringer
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Reviewed by: mikjay on 7/21/2006 1:03:28 AM
I enjoyed watching this movie.I thought it was a step over the line at first glance - making fun of mentally challenged people - but it doesn't really do that.The acting was excellent, the story was good, there wasn't too much garbage (a little), and it shed a new light on people with special needs.I think it will be worth your while.
(Read More Customer Reviews...)Reviewed by: nancyt8207 on 6/28/2006 8:25:25 AM
Absolutely hilarious!! Really enjoyed this movie.
Reviewed by: kindred1 on 6/24/2006 11:35:14 AM
pretty weak,should of been a rated R movie
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Language: English