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Features: DVD, English, Spanish, Subtitled
Pressured by a greedy uncle (Brian Cox) and a pile of debt, lovable loser Steve Barker (Johnny 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.
"...pretty damn funny." Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
"...likeable little ditty that will entertain all..." Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
"Laugh-Out-Loud Hilarious." The Associated Press
Editor's Note
Peter and Bobby Farrelly have always expressed an especially warm but unsentimental attitude in their films toward those with disabilities, most notably in THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY and SHALLOW HAL. THE RINGER, which they produced (but neither wrote nor directed), takes this trait to feverish new heights. JACKASS-cum-leading man stars Johnny Knoxville as office schmo Steve Barker, whose request for more responsibility at his job indirectly results in the severing of four fingers from the hand of Stavi, the mild-mannered office janitor. When Steve requests financial help from his morally-questionable gambling addict Uncle Gary (Brian Cox), Stevie finds himself posing as "Jeffy" an athlete in the Special Olympics whose victory against track champion Jimmy (Leonard Flowers) could spell an end to Uncle Gary's debts and the reattaching of Stavi's fingers. Though a basic description of its premise would make most viewers cry foul, THE RINGER skirts the obvious charge of exploitation by making the mentally challenged characters the only ones to realize that Steve is only acting handicapped. Steve's fellow Olympians are cast with a combination of veteran character actors and real-life former Special Olympians (most notably Edward Barbanell, John Taylor, and Leonard Flowers) who, while lending the film authenticity, also spark with comic timing and the true joy of being on camera. Knoxville once again makes an affable hero, and Ricky Blitt's screenplay, while crass by nature, keeps true vulgarity at bay in favor of a good nature that makes simplicity an asset.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Director Commentary | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Special Olympics PSA | | Subtitles: English, Spanish | | Trailers |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Foxvideo |
| Release Date: 9/5/2006 |
| Running Time: 94 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2005 | | Catalog ID: 2233523 | | UPC: 00024543235231 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English, Spanish Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: English, Spanish | | Video: Color |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | Los Angeles Times
"[T]hough the movie bears some of the Farrellys' trademark outrageous humor, it has a sweet demeanor and makes a noble statement." 12/23/2005 p.E7Entertainment Weekly
"[A] film that does for the mentally challenged what REVENGE OF THE NERDS did for the pocket-protector set, finding a hidden coolness in their ability to be themselves." -- Grade: B 01/13/2006 p.56 Sight and Sound
"[T]here is a sweet and rather sentimental story arc." 05/01/2006 p.66 Dallas Observer 7 of 10
These guys are laugh-out-loud funny, not because they're being belittled, but because they're finally getting a chance to show a sense of humor onscreen. - Luke Y. Thompson
San Francisco Chronicle 8 of 10
The movie's shockingly tasteless setup is also its secret weapon. Despite many scenes in The Ringer that could individually be viewed as politically incorrect, audiences will be laughing with the athletes most of the time. - Peter Hartlaub
Chicago Sun-Times 8 of 10
The movie surprised me. It treats its disabled characters with affection and respect, it has a plot that uses the Special Olympics instead of misusing them, and it's actually kind of sweet. - Roger Ebert
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