By Ryan Parsons | Image property of Fox Searchlight
The Ringer
When I first saw the teaser trailer for the upcoming
comedy The Ringer,
I thought that this film was one of those that is most likely to upset a
lot of moviegoers and people in general. Featuring Johnny Knoxville as a
guy who acts like he is retarded in order to compete and make money in the
special olympics, it looked like this film was looking to find humor in
those that were, uhh, 'gifted.'
However, the Farrelly Brothers have a pretty good record when it comes to
celebrating a handicap rather than laughing at it. Therefore, it took the
full trailer for The Ringer to really give us a sense of what this
film was all about-- Johnny Knoxville making an ass out of himself with
very humorous results.
The Ringer Trailer
The Ringer reminds me a lot of the South
Park episode that dealt with steroids and Cartman joining the special
olympics to win the cash prize. Both protagonists work to create the look
of what is expected from some one who is mentally challenged with a humorous
effect. However, both work to send a more positive message slightly hidden
underneath all the laughs.
When Steve Barker (Johnny Knoxville) finds himself
running dead last in the corporate rat race, he sinks to an all time low...he
attempts to rig the Special Olympics by pretending to be intellectually
challenged. But, Barker is completely out-classed by his fellow Olympians,
who are not only better athletes; they're just plain better people. And
they're on to him. But rather than rat-out the rat, they join forces with
him to once and for all beat Jimmy, the cocky reigning champion of the annual
games. With a work-out regime uniquely their own, they train Barker to go
for the gold and, in the process, show him what's at the heart of a true
winner.
So, in a better form, The Ringer takes a humorous look at the mentally
challenged and while doing so manages to find a positive message. In the
trailer you will see Johnny Knoxville join the ranks of his challenged friends
and even begin to think that he is one of them. Of course, being a Farrelly
movie, there are tons of spills, falls and crashes. However, a majority
of which come directly from Knoxville.
To watch both trailers for The Ringer,
click the poster above or head on over to Quicktime.
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