The Ringer (Review)Director Barry W Blaustein's second feature after his 1999 wrestling documentary, Beyond the Mat, is again set in the world of sport, only this time it's a politically incorrect comedy set at the Special Olympics.
Jackass alumnus Johnny Knoxville stars as Steve Barker (Jeffy), an able-bodied guy who suddenly needs cash to arrange finger-reattachment surgery for a friend. Steve's amoral gambler uncle (Brian Cox) suggests a ridiculous, only-in-the-movies solution: pose as a mentally disabled athlete to win at the Special Olympics and clean up at the bookies. The authentic competitors quickly see through Steve's none-too-convincing schtick, but decide to help him train anyway, while he covertly courts a trusting volunteer (Katherine Heigl). Despite the set-up and the fact that it's produced by gross-out kings the Farrelly brothers, the film offers a surprisingly tender portrait of the mentally disabled — many of the cast have real disabilities and confidently upstage their able-bodied colleagues. Perhaps it's a fear of causing offence, combined with weak direction and Knoxville's reliance on his patented style of physical comedy that prevent this from being funnier than it is, but saying that, there are some very funny and heart warming moments.
Verdict, a stupid and heart warming comedy.
6 stars out of 10
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