Putting the "Special" Into The Olympics... "The Ringer"

The Ringer (2005)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Johnny Knoxville, Katherine Heigl, Brian  Cox

Directed by Barry Blaustein

The Story:

Steve (Knoxville) can't catch a break.  He gets promoted, and his first act is to fire Stavi (Luis Avalos) a kind janitor.  Steve can't do it, so he hires Stavi to be his gardener at a higher wage than he was making.  But when a lawn mower accidentally lops off Stavi's fingers, Steve is in a jam: how to raise $28,000 before the end of the month?  He contacts his uncle (Cox) to repay a loan, and he concocts a plan to throw the Special Olympics by having Steve pretend to be disabled and win the  event, beating  Jimmy (Leonard Flowers) a 5 time gold medalist.  Ah, but they aren't called Olympians for nothing...

Possibly one of the most politically incorrect films to find funny, but this movie is flat out hilarious.

While not directed by them, Peter and Bobby Farrelly were the producers, and much like many of their movies, what seems like it should be improper to laugh at, it's funny, and there is a heart to the film that you're not expecting.

Sure, there's even a romantic subplot between Steve, now known as Jeffy and Lynn (Heigl).  However, while an important part of the overall plot, it is not a shoehorned in love affair as many movies try and squeeze a romance in, just to do it.  This one is natural, and slow to build.

But it's the bonding and friendship that forms between Jeffy and the other athletes where the movie really shines.  Utilizing actors with disabilities in several key roles, the movie is believable and sincere and comes with the blessing of The Special Olympics.

This is a movie that aims to poke holes in the idea that people that are "special" are just that, special.  Because there is nothing inherently different at all.

A special shout-out to Brian Cox, who is uproariously hilarious as the man with no filter from his brain to his mouth and gleefully plays the uncle for all he's worth.  His lines are cringe-worthy yet side-splitting, both at the same time.  The man needs to do more comedies, he's a natural.

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Already own it, and we watch it at least once a year.