While thumbing through the some movies playing on cable recently, I noticed The Ringer was playing on HBO. I figured I would put it on and use it as background filler while I worked on some other things. However, much to my surprise, I got sucked in and watched the entire movie (and credits, for which The Farrelly Brothers are notorious for being creative).
I vaguely recalled that The Ringer was the movie that stirred up some controversy a couple of years ago because of it’s unusual premise: A normal man fakes being mentally-challenged so that he can participate in The Special Olympics.
The movie stars Johnny Knoxville, Katherine Heigl and Brian Cox. As far as Knoxville is concerned, if someone would ever tell m that I would be commending Johnny Knoxville for his “acting” then I would tell you to shoot me (can you say “Dukes of Hazzard?”). But as hard as it is to believe, he actually cashes in a good performance in The Ringer. This movie also featured Katherine Heigl just before her Grey’s Anatomy star took off. Her performance was decent enough to keep the movie moving at a comfortable speed. And what can I say about the great Brian Cox. As usual, he was awesome in his supporting role as a degenerate gambler who pressures Knoxville’s character to enter the Special Olympics as a way to pay off his bookies.
The biggest higlight of this movie, however, is the performance of the mentally-challenged special co-stars themselves. Their performance was warm, captivating, and incorporated the perfect mix of humor (even self-depracating at time). They helped legitimize this foolish storyline and make it into something that was not only entertaining, but in a way eye-opening and feel-good.
I won’t say that The Ringer is a must-see… but instead I will say that when you see it on the tube, don’t be so quick to change that channel. You might find yourself surprisingly impressed.
Grade: B
