Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 12/23/05 Home Video 05/16/06 MPAA Rating Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language and some drug references Running Time 1 hour 40 minutes Genre Comedy, Sports Director Barry Blaustein Writer Ricky Blitt Cast Johnny Knoxville, Brian Cox, Katherine Heigl, Zen Gesner, Jed Rees, John Taylor Studio Fox Searchlight Pictures |
THE RINGER
SYNOPSIS
The latest fearless comedy from producers The
Farrelly Brothers (THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY,
DUMB & DUMBER, SHALLOW HAL) asks the question:
can a comedy be outlandishly off-the-wall, irreverently
indelicate and yet . . . inspirational? THE RINGER spikes
the uproarious with the uplifting in a story about an
ordinary man who discovers what it truly means to be
special when he attempts to "fix" Special Olympics.
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.
The latest fearless comedy from producers The
Farrelly Brothers (THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY,
DUMB & DUMBER, SHALLOW HAL) asks the question:
can a comedy be outlandishly off-the-wall, irreverently
indelicate and yet . . . inspirational? THE RINGER spikes
the uproarious with the uplifting in a story about an
ordinary man who discovers what it truly means to be
special when he attempts to "fix" Special Olympics.
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
trans-forms 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.--©Fox Searchlight
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
trans-forms 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.--©Fox Searchlight
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
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